With the start of the season Go Joe Bruin returns our weekly group predictions as the writers get together to predict the score between the Texas A&M and UCLA Football teams.
It has begun. Game week preparations. For the UCLA Football team, they are getting ready to face Texas A&M. For Go Joe Bruin, we have faced our computers and put out our predictions for the game.
RELATED: Know Your Opponent: Texas A&M vs UCLA Football
Here are what the writers (and friends) of Go Joe Bruin have said about UCLA vs Texas A&M and what to look for this Sunday at the Rose Bowl.
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Keir Chapman, UCLA 27 – Texas A&M 24
I’ll go with my score I predicted in the Know Your Opponent article. Both teams struggle to pass the ball a bit, but Bolu Olorunfunmi takes advantage of the 3-4 look Texas A&M has converted to. Josh Rosen will be able to take advantage of the successful ground game and throw at least one touchdown.
Michael Chavez, UCLA 27 – Texas A&M 24
It all comes down to QB play for me and while I think the Bruins may face some tough sledding against the run on both sides of the ball, they have Rosen and A&M has yet to name a starter. Not exactly a confidence boost for the Aggies. WR Christian Kirk is bracketed and sub par QB play doesn’t let him get going. DT Daylon Mack is a snap jumper so if the Bruins can mix up the counts they’ll likely force some offsides penalties.
Nathan Eberhardt, UCLA 24 – Texas A&M 21
Christian Kirk is the single most outstanding offensive player on the field, but he can’t do more than a couple of spectacular highlight reel catches against the Bruins’ secondary, the best unit on either team. The UCLA offense is efficient but not spectacular as they rely on bootlegs, sweeps, and screens to dink and dunk their way down the field behind an improving-but-still-shaky offensive line.
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Michael Hanna, Texas A&M 20 – UCLA 17
The Aggies are able to control the game on the ground as they take advantage of the departures of UCLA’s most stout run defenders, Eddie Vanderdoes and Eli Ankou, to play keep away from the Bruins and not test the strength of UCLA’s defense, its secondary, too often. On the other side of the ball, the Aggies’ stout interior line featuring Daylon Mack and Zaycoven Henderson shut down UCLA’s run game and force the Bruins into too many long yardage situations for Jedd Fisch’s offense to get rolling, meaning Jim Mora’s 6th season at the helm of the Bruin football program gets off to an inauspicious start.
Pete Kang, UCLA 35 – Texas A&M 17
UCLA will have some, but not a lot of room to run on the left side. Rosen will be 21/33, 315 yds, 3 TD and 1 int. Bolu and Soso Jamabo could each have a rushing touchdown or quite possibly freshman DB Darnay Holmes, with a pick 6 or a Special Teams TD. Look for UCLA’s Defense to dominate. Look for frost DE Jaelan Phillips to get at least 1 sack and a bunch of hurries, while the secondary collects 2 interceptions. If anything kills the UCLA offense, it will be A&M safety and or LB blitzing, especially delayed Blitzes. Go BRUINS!
What's Bruin Show - Episode 139 - #UCLA Football talk with @DanielleAlvari
— Go Joe Bruin (@GoJoeBruinUCLA) August 30, 2017
Via @whatsbruinshow https://t.co/MP2mfbuuPV
Jacob Merrifield, UCLA 31 – Texas A&M 14
I think the Bruins are going to win because they are going to be better on 3rd down than they were last year. They are going to get a handle on time of possession, which Mora has been seeking to do ever since he got rid of Mazzone and I think that they are going to be under control with things that have been plaguing them.
Muna Osisioma, UCLA 24 – Texas A&M 13
The Aggies’ offense struggles to get going through the air as they continue to search for consistent QB play. Rosen’s experience from last season’s game gives UCLA the edge and the running game does just enough. The Aggies will be able to run the ball but the Bruins’ D doesn’t break and forces two field goals.
David Rosenthal, UCLA 17 – Texas A&M 16
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With both teams having trouble moving the ball on offense. Josh Rosen struggles in his first start since injuring his shoulder last year. The Aggies are able to sit back looking for the pass as the Bruins’ can’t find a rhythm trying to run the ball with three different backs. For A&M, Otaro Alaka and Zaycoven Henderson step in for NFL bound Myles Garrett on defense to both pressure Rosen and stifle the Bruins’ run.
On the other side of the ball, A&M is still trying to choose a quarterback to start and may use two different players at the spot during the game. The indecision at QB will cause the Aggies’ offense to stall with their only bright spot coming from RB Trayveon Williams. The experienced Bruins’ secondary (Jaleel Wadood, Nate Meadors, and Adarius Pickett) will make a big play late to help set up a game winning field goal earning UCLA a win in their season opener.
Bill Shirley (of What’s Bruin Show), UCLA 35 – Texas A&M 13
I really think the heat is going to play a factor. That’s number one. Number two is that Jedd Fisch is going to call a very balanced game. I don’t think Fisch is going to get rattled by any crazy technique that Texas A&M is going to bring. I think it throws A&M off their game plan. UCLA wins big!
Mike Regalado, UCLA 28 – Texas A&M 14
Josh Rosen is going to come out on fire and show the nation what he is all about. The offense will start slow then click over somewhere around the start of the 2nd quarter and put some yards on the Aggie Boys. Also, walk-on WR Christian Pabico will catch for 65 yards and a touchdown. #PABICOBOOM
Matt Wagner, UCLA 21 – Texas A&M 17
As we begin the 2017-2018 season, no one quite knows what is in store for the Bruins this season. However, Texas A&M is in the same boat, and hopefully UCLA’s influx of highly-touted youth defensively can help UCLA to a Labor Day weekend win. One big concern is again the Bruins offensive line, a group who was given a significant blow with Kenny Lacy being out for the season. Provided UCLA’s offensive line and running game has a good showing Sunday, the Bruins might be able to pull off the win against the Aggies.
Next: The Go Joe Bruin 2017 UCLA Football Season Preview
And a special guest prediction, from her recent appearance on the What’s Bruin Show…
Danielle Alvari, UCLA 28 – Texas A&M 14
They owe us this. After last year’s game, I know I’m still salty about this, they owe us this. They need to get Noel back. There is so much riding on this. As the fans, we need to get our due. They will win because they have to win.