UCLA Football Early 2018 Schedule Preview: Arizona Wildcats

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BATON ROUGE, LA – NOVEMBER 25: Head coach Kevin Sumlin of the Texas A&M Aggies walks on the field prior to a game against the LSU Tigers at Tiger Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

Go Joe Bruin continues our early 2018 previews with a look at UCLA football’s important midseason clash at the Rose Bowl against the Arizona Wildcats.

By the 7th game of UCLA football‘s 2018 schedule, the Bruins will be taking on a division opponent that has always given them trouble. Even when the Wildcats are down, they still manage to leave the Bruins with a few cuts and bruises.

Both teams have new coaches and a new philosophy, which makes this game that starts the second half of the season all the more important.

Additionally, this game could determine the division champion.

UCLA Football Early 2018 Schedule Previews

Arizona Wildcats

Head Coach: Kevin Sumlin | 0-0 (1st season at Arizona), 7-8 (2017 with Texas A&M)

2017 Record: 7-6, 5-4 Pac-12

2017-18 Bowl Game: N/A

What: UCLA Bruins vs. Arizona Wildcats

Where: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA

When: Saturday, October 20

Though the Rich Rodriguez era had some good times, it ended abruptly and for the better. And how about that timing? Kevin Sumlin was let go at Texas A&M, so sliding over to Arizona not only seems like a good fit but one that will actually improve off of what Rich Rodriguez started.

But it will not be easy. By the time the Wildcats take on UCLA, they will have already had games against BYU, at Houston, against USC, and at Utah, so who knows what kind of wounds they will be licking when they face UCLA.

Arizona’s Five-Year Win Trend

2017 – ★★★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆ 7-6
2016 – ★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ 3-9
2015 – ★★★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆ 7-6
2014 – ★★★★★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ 10-4
2013 – ★★★★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆ 8-5

If Arizona can rally their troops and get some positive production by the time this game rolls around, they could be a real threat to UCLA, though it will be a tough task considering Arizona has lost at the Rose Bowl during their last three visits.