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UCLA Football: Ranking 2018 from easiest to toughest game

By Mike Regalado

WESTWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 27: Chip Kelly speaks to the media during a press conference after being introduced as UCLA's new Football Head Coach on November 27, 2017 in Westwood, California. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images)
WESTWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 27: Chip Kelly speaks to the media during a press conference after being introduced as UCLA's new Football Head Coach on November 27, 2017 in Westwood, California. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 05: Head coach David Shaw of the Stanford Cardinal celebrates after the Pac-12 Championship game against the USC Trojans at Levi’s Stadium on December 5, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. The Stanford Cardinal defeated the USC Trojans 41-22. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 05: Head coach David Shaw of the Stanford Cardinal celebrates after the Pac-12 Championship game against the USC Trojans at Levi’s Stadium on December 5, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. The Stanford Cardinal defeated the USC Trojans 41-22. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /

Toughest – 12. Stanford Cardinal | Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA | Sat, Nov. 17

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Aside from the fact that Stanford has had UCLA’s number for the past decade (the Cardinal have won their last ten meetings), this is going to be a brutal game no matter what, hence the selection as the toughest game in 2018. This is the last game of the regular season and could determine what happens to both teams in the post-season.

If UCLA has a good year, this could determine the winner of the South Division. If UCLA has an average season, then this could determine if they get to a bowl or not (and which one). If UCLA sucks, well, this is going to be a beat down.

Hopefully UCLA ‘s options line up with the first two, though that will not make this game any easier. It doesn’t even matter that this game is at the Rose Bowl, Stanford owns UCLA. The only way to break that is to beat the Cardinal, but that will take some effort. The good news… even though former UCLA coach Jim Mora was 0-7 against David Shaw, Chip Kelly (whilst at Oregon) was 1-1 against the Cardinal mastermind.

Next: UCLA Football: Post spring practice projected 2-deep depth chart

And really, isn’t that why UCLA hired Kelly, because of his coaching genius and ability to take down giants? The answer is yes. See you September 1.