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Ranking the 2016 UCLA Football Schedule By Difficulty

By Mike Regalado

September 5, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Jim Mora leads players out onto the field against the Virginia Cavaliers before the first half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
September 5, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Jim Mora leads players out onto the field against the Virginia Cavaliers before the first half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 26, 2015; Tucson, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins wide receiver Jordan Payton (9) signals during the fourth quarter against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. UCLA won 56-30. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2015; Tucson, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins wide receiver Jordan Payton (9) signals during the fourth quarter against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. UCLA won 56-30. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports /

9. vs Arizona Wildcats (7-6, 3-6 Pac-12)

Game #5, Saturday, October 1

The UCLA Football team has had the Arizona Wildcat’s number the last few years. That is not to say the Cats are going to be a push over, but more like the Bruins seem to match up well against AZ, despite their recent success under Head Coach Rich Rodriguez.

Plus, it should be noted that there is a drop off in overall talent and coaching between the teams in these rankings at this point. For the most part, the Bruins should be able to run through UNLV, Oregon State and Colorado, but it does get a bit difficult when analyzing the other nine regular season games.

Now understand that UCLA can very well lose to each of these next nine teams, including Arizona. The Bruins struggled mightily two years ago against the Wildcats defense at the Rose Bowl, though they got the win.

It was a bit easier last year for UCLA in Tucson in a rout, but that was the first game where we saw that the Bruins had trouble stopping the run. UCLA won 56-30, but they also allowed the Wildcats run for 353 yards.

By comparison, UCLA looks to be in better shape than Arizona, but it will not be easy. Unfortunately, it gets even harder for the Bruins.

Next: A Golden Opportunity