UCLA Football vs. Stanford Cardinal: Go Joe Bruin Predicts the Game

The writers of Go Joe Bruin once again get together to predict UCLA Football’s upcoming game, this time against the Stanford Cardinal. We were torn with these predictions.

The UCLA Football team is taking on the old thorn-in-the-side Stanford Cardinal to open up Pac-12 play. We have mixed feelings about this.

Seeing as the Bruins have lost eight straight games to Stanford in seven years, it elicited some specific predictions, particularly with those GJB writers projcting a loss.

For those that chose a UCLA victory, the writers predicted close games. See who is choosing a win or a loss as Go Joe Bruin Predicts UCLA Football vs. Stanford:

Michael Chavez

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UCLA 21 – Stanford 20

Now that being said, I really believe if the Bruins lose this game should be fairly close. Stanford only put up 27 points on a USC defense that has many more holes and with UCLA’s defensive calls last week I think this staff, and players on D have a renewed self confidence.

Josh Rosen steps his play up and goes 21-30 for 280 and 2 scores while the ground game as a whole musters 115 and 1 score. The line begins to assert their will late in the game blocking for the closer Jalen Starks.

Aleks Dostanic

Stanford 45 – UCLA 17

UCLA run game struggles to get going, forcing Rosen to make key 3rd down throws, missing most of them. Quick 3 and outs by the offense tire out UCLA’s defense, which was doing a solid job of stopping Christian McCaffrey until he breaks out for one big run to get the floodgates open.

UCLA’s offense recovers after halftime, but by then it’s too late, Ryan Burns picks apart a defense scrambling to stop Mccaffery, and Stanford makes it 9 straight wins against UCLA.

Nathan Eberhardt

Stanford 35 – UCLA 17

The Bruin D limits McCaffrey to a couple of big plays, including one long TD catch, but can’t get off the field and is gashed 15 yards at a time in the run game.

This opens up the passing game, where Stanford’s physical targets feast all day underneath. On offense, Rosen doesn’t make huge mistakes but just can’t sustain anything – particularly with a running game that goes nowhere as Soso Jamabo runs dive after dive for minimal yardage.

Sep 17, 2016; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) rushes against USC Trojans defensive back Marvell Tell III (7) during the first half of a NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Michael Hanna

Stanford 42 – UCLA 24

Forced to respect Ryan Burns as a passer more than they did Taysom Hill, there will be enough of a reversion to the softer UCLA defense to which we’re accustomed that Stanford will exploit to put together multiple sustained drives on their way to their annual victory over UCLA.

Answering the question on everyone’s mind, it will be Trent Irwin who makes the annual “Obscene Catch By A Random Stanford Receiver Against UCLA That Wins An ESPY Award”. Josh Rosen ends the streak of UCLA passers conceding pick-sixes to Stanford that dates back to 2012, but it isn’t enough to make the Bruins conquer the dreaded Trees.

Jake Merrifield

UCLA 23 – Stanford 16

The Bruins will continue to improve their offensive output and control time of possession, something they haven’t done in the last few Stanford games.

Bill Shirley (of What’s Bruin Show)

Stanford 30 – UCLA 24

UCLA will not lose big, it will be a respectable loss. One that the Bruins can build on.

Ashley Tellier

UCLA 20 – Stanford 17

If the UCLA defense prepares for this game as well as it did for BYU, expect the Bruins to limit Christian McCaffrey. This is key because Stanford is relying on McCaffrey more than ever. Offensive-wise, Rosen and the receivers need to finally connect better. It’s do or die in UCLA’s first conference game.

Mike Regalado

UCLA 15 – Stanford 14

Admit it. That score is blowing your mind. Let me start by saying that this is going to be a defensive battle. Stanford is still Stanford, but UCLA’s D is finding their identity. Though McCaffrey will put up big all-purpose yards, he will be slowed by UCLA (fingers crossed).

Rosen will be pressured early which will have him rally the team late in the game to bring them to within one point, 13-14. With little time remaining, UCLA goes for the two-point conversion to take the 15-14 lead. The Bruin D then gets a final stop with a sack on Ryan Burns.

A loud, collective sigh is heard throughout the Rose Bowl by Bruin fans, followed by an ear-piercing roar.

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Go Bruins!