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Beat writers’ game day predictions: UCLA v. Arizona State

By Kevin Bowman, Chris Kalra, and Jordan Lee

Sept. 23, 2014 11:27 p.m.

Prior to each UCLA football game, the Daily Bruin football beat writers will predict the score, and give a short reasoning behind their prediction.

To keep track of how far off each writer’s predictions are from reality, the “prediction differential” statistic shows the average difference between the writer’s predicted margin of victory and the actual margin of victory in each game.

Kevin Bowman’s prediction

UCLA: 24

Arizona State: 20

Prediction record: 3-0

Prediction differential: 16.3

The Bruins caught a break with Taylor Kelly’s injury; were he healthy, I’m not sure I’d have UCLA coming out on top. Assuming redshirt junior quarterback Brett Hundley plays, UCLA should be able to edge out Arizona State, but playing on the road against an always-challenging opponent means this game should stay close.

Chris Kalra’s prediction

UCLA: 31

Arizona State: 28

Prediction record: 3-0

Prediction differential: 15.3

This is going to be a doozy. Out in the desert, on a Thursday night when Arizona State is promoting a blackout (remember, ASU students are in school), it should be a tough environment for UCLA. Over the last three years, a combined eight points has decided the annual UCLA-ASU meetings. With that in mind, and the fact that each UCLA game this season has gone down to the wire, why not keep both trends alive? UCLA just edges ASU.

Jordan Lee’s prediction

UCLA: 31

Arizona State: 27

Prediction record: 3-0

Prediction differential: 17.3

Three games into the season, we still don’t know much about this Bruins team. UCLA turned in uneven performances against Virginia and Memphis respectively and was limited on offense without redshirt junior quarterback Brett Hundley against Texas. I’m going to make a somewhat educated guess and say the defense on Thursday night will be what we saw against Virginia and Texas. Also, with Hundley in command, this offense can be very potent, and it will need to be against an Arizona State team that has no shortage of firepower. And we do know this about the Bruins: they find a way to win. That’ll continue for at least another week.

What’s your UCLA football gameday score prediction? Share it below in the comments.

Compiled by Kevin Bowman, Jordan Lee and Chris Kalra, Bruin Sports senior staff.

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Kevin Bowman | Alumnus
Chris Kalra | Alumnus
Kalra joined the Bruin as a freshman in 2011 and contributed until 2014. He was an assistant Sports editor for the 2013-2014 academic year and spent time on the football, women's basketball, men's soccer and beach volleyball beats.
Kalra joined the Bruin as a freshman in 2011 and contributed until 2014. He was an assistant Sports editor for the 2013-2014 academic year and spent time on the football, women's basketball, men's soccer and beach volleyball beats.
Jordan Lee | Alumnus
Lee joined the Bruin as a freshman in 2011 and contributed until he graduated in 2011. He was an assistant Sports editor for the 2013-2014 academic year and spent time on the football, men's basketball, softball and women's volleyball beats.
Lee joined the Bruin as a freshman in 2011 and contributed until he graduated in 2011. He was an assistant Sports editor for the 2013-2014 academic year and spent time on the football, men's basketball, softball and women's volleyball beats.
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