The Prediction: UCLA Bruins

SB Nation

It’s almost time for another road game for the 7-3 Huskies, as they will take on the 3-7 UCLA Bruins in the Rose Bowl. Our staff has their picks below!

Andrew Berg (9-1 SU, 4-6 ATS)

Quick: When was the last time the Huskies won a conference

road game by more than this 10.5 point spread? They haven’t done it in the Big 10 (meaning they haven’t done it under Jedd Fisch) since their only road win in conference was 24-20 over Maryland this year. It wasn’t even in 2023, when the team went to the National Championship Game. They won by 10 at USC and 9 at Stanford. They also blew out current conference-mate Michigan State by 34, but that was not yet a conference game. No, the last 10.5 point conference road win was the 2022 Apple Cup, 51-33 over Cam Ward, almost exactly 3 years ago. A lot more goes into this game than just having to play on the road. Nico Iamalevea is still recovering from a concussion and is questionable to play on Saturday. UCLA’s offense has been better when they lead with the running game and pass off of that foundation. UW’s run defense has improved through the year but still has its flaws. There is also the matter of Demond Williams’ home/road splits. He averages 10.6 yards per attempt at home with 10/0 TD/Int. Away from the Greatest Setting, it’s 7.4 YPA and 7/5. He’s a young QB and he is still developing, so there’s time to grow. Playing against the 134th best defense in the country (by EPA) would be a great time to show that growth.

Washington- 27, UCLA- 20

Max Vrooman (8-2 SU, 2-8 ATS)

I swore to myself after the Wisconsin game that I was definitely going to pick UCLA in this game. The Huskies managed to blow out Wazzu in the 4th quarter and came back from a huge deficit to squeak past Maryland. But then they turned around and scored a combined 17 points against Michigan and Wisconsin. The Husky offense looked more than fine in a 49-13 blowout of Purdue despite the myriad injuries on that side of the ball. Jonah Coleman may be back but it looks like they’ll still be without Drew Azzopardi, Landen Hatchett, Denzel Boston, and Raiden Vines-Bright (plus Rashid Williams is out for the season). Until we see it for another game, I’m more inclined to say that was a statement about Purdue’s defense more so than the UW offense. The Bruins have been competitive against everyone but #1 Ohio State and #2 Indiana ever since they fired Deshaun Foster. Their 3 wins are over teams that are a combined 2-19 in B1G play while they have one-score losses to middle of the pack Northwestern and Nebraska (minus Dylan Raiola). This is still a bad team but they’re good enough to beat the Huskies playing their “C” game especially if Nico Iamaleava returns from a concussion after missing last week. Throw in the Husky Rose Bowl voodoo (one win there since 1995) and this being an old school Pac-12 after dark spot and I still have to go with the Bruins.

Washington- 16, UCLA- 20

Raymond Lucas Jr. (5-2 SU, 0-7 ATS)

For a moment, UCLA was hellbent on turning the tides of its season following the firing of DeShaun Foster. Considering it was on pace to win a grand total of zero games, perhaps it was successful in doing so. Hell, it played a role in Penn State moving on from James Franklin. That momentum has since faded.

In fairness, undefeated Indiana, talented Nebraska and unbeaten Ohio State is a daunting stretch of games.

If you’re looking for a cause for concern, outside of injuries that’ll keep Denzel Boston sidelined, focus on emotions. This could be UCLA’s final game at the Rose Bowl for a very long time. It’s controversial, but after driving from San Diego to watch the Seahawks play the Rams at SoFi Stadium… I see why it’s attractive.

Anyways, I’d imagine UCLA fans will wear their heart on their sleeves as they try and will the Bruins to a win under the lights at possibly the only setting that is greater than Husky Stadium. (Sorry).

Will it happen? I don’t think so. I think the Huskies will be too much for the Bruins and will embrace the privilege of playing at a historic venue.

UCLA’s flaws are fatal. It is horrific defensively on third down, racks up way too many penalty yards and its red zone defense is lackluster.

Due to its road woes, I can’t predict UW will roll. But I do expect a victory.

Washington-40, UCLA-33

Mark Schafer (7-3 SU, 1-9 ATS)

The Rose Bowl has been a place of trouble for the Huskies for years, much like Tucson and Tempe were when they were in the PAC 12. Due solely to that factor, a 10.5 point spread seems like a little too steep of a climb. Considering the fact that the Dawgs are also shorthanded, and playing a Bruins team that’s hungry and motivated in what may be their final game in the Rose Bowl and that is a recipe for a let down. But, I think that they can win, as even with a patchwork o-line, UCLA’s front is dead last in sacks per game, and Jerry Neuheisel’s simplification of the offense may mean that it’s easier for the defense to figure out. But, this is the Rose Bowl, and sometimes bad luck can happen. Do I predict that anybody will suddenly turn into 2022 Jake Bobo, or that Iamaleava will suddenly transform into DTR (who probably still has a year of eligibility left)? It’s possible, certainly, but I’m an optimist and I have faith that the Huskies will get it done. The Huskies need to involve someone other than their dynamic duo of Williams and Coleman, and with RVB and Denzel Boston out, the options are thin. But last week against Purdue gave me hope that maybe somebody can step up and be that option. Even with that, the natural grass, the late start time and the general cursed vibes from the Rose Bowl for the Huskies will make it an uphill battle, one that I hope the Huskies are ready for.

Washington-34, UCLA-31