August 30: The date that should be circled on the calendars of all UCLA fans, coaches, and players. This is when everyone will get to see what this top 10 football team will look like for the first time. Over the next few weeks I will go over a few games each article on the Bruins schedule. I will analyze the opponent and give a prediction on whether UCLA will win or lose. It is going to be a fun year for the Bruins faithful, so lets take a look at the first three games on the schedule: a road game at Virginia, home against Memphis, and a neutral-site face-off with Texas.
UCLA Bruins Schedule
Saturday August 30: At Virginia 9:00 a.m. P.T. kickoff (ESPN)
This could be an interesting first game for Jim Mora and company. Traveling cross-country is never easy, especially with an early kickoff, but it is even more challenging when it is the first game of the season. Virginia is very inexperienced, and has some incredibly inconsistent players, most of whom return from a Cavaliers team that went 2-10 last season (in a very weak conference, at that), so I do not expect much of a challenge to the Bruins.
Prediction: I see an easy UCLA win here, but do not be surprised if it is a close game throughout the first half. UCLA will need a quarter to get used to the time change and get some rust off, but I expect them to take control in the second half.
Record: 1-0
Saturday September 6: Vs. Memphis 7:00 p.m. P.T kickoff (Pac-12 Network)
The first home game of the year for UCLA should provide a nice warm-up for the Week 3 matchup with Texas. Like Virginia, Memphis does not have a lot of talent or experience. They finished 3-9 in the AAC last year and are not likely to fare much better this upcoming season. They have a very talented sophomore QB in Paxton Lynch, but he can’t beat the Bruins by himself.
Prediction: As long as UCLA isn’t looking ahead to Texas, they should roll over the Tigers. The talent disparity is great and there is no way Memphis can keep up with the Bruins. I expect a 3+ touchdown victory.
Record: 2-0
Saturday September 13: Texas (in Arlington, TX) 5:00 p.m. P.T. kickoff (FOX)
This is the first major test for Brett Hundley and the gang and will be a nice final tune up before Pac-12 play. New head coach Charlie Strong left Louisville, where he had tremendous success, to take over a Texas team with a lot more talent than he ever had at Louisville. Expectations are high around Austin this year, and this should be a fun early-season match up. This will also be UCLA’s first nationally televised game of the season, so I expect Hundley to make a statement and officially be in the Heisman hunt after this game.
Prediction: This should be a competitive game throughout but I expect Hundley to be the difference maker here and lead the Bruins to a victory in a not so neutral site game.
Record: 3-0
After three games the Bruins will be sitting comfortably with a 3-0 mark. Brett Hundley will be talked about as a Heisman candidate, and UCLA will be a legit playoff and Pac-12 contender. The Bruins will be flying high getting ready for its first Pac-12 showdown of the season, against Arizona St., in the next game.
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