UCLA Football vs. Stanford 2017: Go Joe Bruin predicts the game!
Mike Regalado, UCLA 38 – Stanford 32
I have a weird feeling about this game. Part of it has to do with Pac-12 After Dark. The offensive and defensive matchups are going to be very interesting to watch. I do not know what will cause more calamity, UCLA’s high-scoring offense against Stanford’s solid secondary and weakened offensive line or UCLA’s injury plagued defense against Stanford’s horrible passing game and otherworldly run game. I just know that this is a game both teams need to and want to win. The key factor for me… Rosen and his receivers. They will pull UCLA out of this nine-game funk against the Cardinal.
David Rosenthal, UCLA 24 – Stanford 20
More from Go Joe Bruin
- UCLA Football: It’s time for the nation to meet Dante Moore
- UCLA Football: Where are they ranked heading into week 4
- UCLA Football: Position battle breakdown for Utah showdown
- UCLA vs. Utah: Location, time, prediction, and more
- UCLA Football: Highlights from Chip Kelly’s appearance on the Jim Rome Show
After dismantling Rice in Australia more than a month and a half ago, Stanford has yet to get a victory on American soil. Offensively the Cardinal has struggled, scoring just 41 combined points in their past two games, both loses. QB Keller Chryst hasn’t been spectacular. In three games he’s thrown 4 TDs and a total of 425 yards in the air. On the ground, Bryce Love has looked good averaging over 12 yards per carry. He will give the Bruins the most trouble as UCLA refuses to stop anyone running the ball.
A big problem with Stanford is their ability to score. If UCLA gets a few injured players back on defense, they could pack the box attempting to slow down Stanford’s run game and force Chryst to beat them. UCLA will stick with Bolu Olorunfunmi in the backfield and he’ll prove he’s the #1 RB by gaining at least 80 yards. This will open up the passing game letting Josh Rosen hit Darren Andrews, Jordan Lasley, and Theo Howard all day. Rosen solidifies himself as “The Chosen One” by breaking UCLA’s losing streak against Stanford.
Matt Wagner, Stanford 24 – UCLA 21
The Bruins come into their annual game against Stanford looking to right the ship after a close loss to Memphis, but on the surface it doesn’t look like that will happen.
Next: Know Your Opponent - UCLA vs. Stanford
One of the Bruins big issues so far this season is their difficulty in stopping the run game. Granted, Stanford hasn’t looked that great this year with two losses, but unless UCLA can vastly improve their run defense a loss might be coming on Saturday.
GJB Total win predictions:
Stanford 7 – UCLA 3