The UCLA Football team is back home this week and just in time! The Bruins take on Colorado and the writers of Go Joe Bruin tell you what will could in this Pac-12 affair.
The UCLA Football team has started the season 2-2, but luckily two of those wins came at home. After two bad road losses, the Bruins return to the Rose Bowl and hopefully to their winning ways against Colorado.
RELATED: Know Your Opponent – UCLA vs. Colorado
That means it is time for writers of GJB to once again give their takes on the game. Though most predict a win, it will not be that easy once the ball is kicked off.
Michael Chavez, UCLA 45 – Colorado 41
The defense will face another tough challenge in Phillip Lindsay and this offensive line and the passing game behind QB Steven Montez. He’s a big strong-armed kid who can make all the throws but he will make some careless mistakes at times. The Bruins still have Rosen, but Soso Jamabo was able to run for 100 yards on a team that wasn’t like one of their defenses of old, was still a challenge for our OL. Bruins are fired up and determined not to lose again and that holds up if only for another week.
Nathan Eberhardt, UCLA 51 – Colorado 45
Colorado rates out similarly to Memphis, all things considered, and the peripherals of this game are all the other way (namely, it’s at home). The defense has averaged exactly 45 points given up per game, and I see no reason to expect that to change. The only question is if the team is spoiling for a fight after last weekend’s disappointment or is deflated. If it’s like most of Mora’s previous team’s, they’re not ready to lie down.
Andrew Goodman, UCLA 35 – Colorado 23
The Bruins have had no trouble scoring the football, and I expect that trend to continue on Saturday. Colorado certainly isn’t the team they were last season. The defense finally gets pressure on the opposing QB and forces a few turnovers.
Michael Hanna, Colorado 45 – UCLA 41
At this point, I’ll believe UCLA can stop an offense with a pulse when I see it. And Colorado hasn’t been great offensively, but it has a heartbeat at the very least. I’m expecting Phillip Lindsey to have a 200-yard game on the ground for the Buffs, who will control field position and time of possession enough to withstand another great game from Josh Rosen and put the Bruins at 2-3 heading into a bye week that will be cause for a lot of reflection at the Wasserman Center.
Mike Regalado, UCLA 45 – Colorado 30
With the power of home field and having The Den packed for the first time this season, UCLA will overcome their sluggish ways to grab the victory and go 3-0 any home. Things have not been going well for the Bruins, especially on defense. I expect them to continue to struggle, but will make enough plays to allow the offense and Josh Rosen to operate. The Bruins have the second best offense in the Pac-12 and I think it is going to be extremely difficult for the Buffaloes’ defense to slow them down.
David Rosenthal, UCLA 45 – Colorado 28
The Bruins return to the friendly Rose Bowl where they are 2-0 this season. Josh Rosen should continue his great year against a Colorado defense that has allowed 58 points combined in the past two games. Although, the Buffs are allowing under 200 yards per game in the air, keep in mind that includes games against Texas State and Northern Colorado.
Next: Rosen vs. Darnold - Who is the better QB?
Last week Washington was able to rush for over 250 yards against Colorado but the Bruins may be done trying to run the ball, except on short yardage situations. Rosen will have another 400 yard game while throwing the ball close to 50 times. Quarterback Steven Montez and Colorado won’t be able to keep up as UCLA’s offense takes control of the game in the second half.