UCLA Football vs. Utah 2017: Go Joe Bruin predicts the game!

It is once again time for Go Joe Bruin to predict the game as the UCLA Football team faces a similarly underachieving Utah Utes team. Needless to say, this is not an easy game to predict.

This game has the makings of being one of the worst of 2016 or, given the drama of #Pac12AfterDark this season, the best game you have ever seen. Even better than Game 5 of the 2017 World Series.

Either way, both teams are battling to stay relevant in Pac-12 South, so it will be interesting to see what elements of both program’s game plan works (and which do not). Here is what we are going with…

Michael Chavez, UCLA 35 – Utah 28

Neither team can stop a nosebleed in the run game which obviously plays into Utah’s hands more than UCLA’s. The Bruins have much more offensive talent and are more versatile but the defense is reeling and Rosen has yet to be cleared even though Jim Mora seems to believe that he can play without practicing. If Devon Modster is the starter at QB, look for the score to be closer to 31-30. Not because I think Modster is a bad player but he is still young and learning the game and the Utes could try heating him up although that’s not really their MO.

Nathan Eberhardt, Utah 27 – UCLA 17

The matchups between these two deflating teams may have actually favored the Bruins before we learned that Rosen could miss the game. Mora’s teams have won tough games in Salt Lake City before, but the biggest obstacle could be the poor record of Pac-12 teams in back-to-back road games on short rest.

I don’t think Modster is an automatic loss, but it sure makes the task a tougher one for the Bruins. It’s a shame, too; I thought this was one of the two most winnable games left for the Bruins, and losing on Friday might put and end to any bowl hopes for Mora and his squad.

David Goldman, Utah 34 – UCLA 20

Rice-Eccles Stadium is a tough place to play and it won’t be kind to the Bruins on Friday. To make matters worse, Rosen isn’t a sure thing to make the start. Both these teams have struggled after high expectations but UCLA’s run defense let’s them down again (stop me if you’ve heard that one before) after showing flashes in the first half. The UCLA run game shows signs of improvement but the offense stalls in the second half.

Andrew Goodman, UCLA 27 – Utah 20

Down year for both teams this season who have not lived up to expectations. However this is a tremendous opportunity for UCLA’s young guys to get their feet wet and prepare for next season. A road win in a tough environment is what the doctor ordered for the Bruins

Michael Hanna, Utah 31 – UCLA 17

The Bruins defense will continue to be the cure for an opponent’s offensive malaise, as the Utah running game roars to life and dual-threat QB Tyler Huntley regains his promising, pre-injury form. UCLA will struggle to match the Utes in the likely absence of Josh Rosen and bowl eligibility will fall into further doubt as the Bruins lose one of the two games that looked most likely to be wins on their remaining schedule.

Muna Osisioma, Utah 27 – UCLA 21

I am not sure what’s going on with Rosen and his availability for the game. Modster may be starting and if he is, the offense will not be as crisp. Injuries have also impacted UCLA’s offense. Since Caleb Wilson went out for the season, Darren Andrews has been unable to perform at the same level. Add in Jordan Lasley’s suspension and the offense is lacking weapons. On the defense side, the Bruins already struggled to stop the run when at full strength. They are now thin at linebacker. It’s all set up for Utah. Whether they can take advantage remains to be seen. They are having problems of their own.

David Rosenthal, Utah 42 – UCLA 28

This game could go in a few different directions depending on the health of Josh Rosen. We could either see a healthy Rosen, an injured Rosen, or no Rosen at all. Unfortunately it may not matter if Utah keeps the ball on the ground all game. Last week Washington threw the ball just 12 times in route to a 44-23 victory over the Bruins. Utah should follow the same formula as the Huskies (and teams before) to run to a victory.

Next: What is left for Josh Rosen to play for?

Mike Regalado, Utah 30 – UCLA 21

This could be a comedy of errors across the field. Both teams are having similar meltdowns and neither seems to be in control. That is going to be interesting considering what is at stake. Both sit at 4-4, two games from becoming bowl eligible, so the winner takes a step forward and the loser sinks deeper into their abyss. I don’t think this comes down to who wants it more, but who has less bad luck. And considering the fact the Josh Rosen could miss the game, that does not make things better for the Bruins who play in Salt Lake City, in November, with a lot of players out with injuries.