Beat writers’ game day predictions: UCLA v. Colorado
In UCLA’s 45-23 win over Colorado last year, the Bruin defense only sacked Colorado quarterback Sefo Liufau once. This year, the task of pressuring Lifau could be even more difficult, as standout pass rushers Cassius Marsh (right) and Anthony Barr are gone, and Colorado ranks No. 1 in the Pac-12 in pass protection.
(Daily Bruin file photo)
Prior to each UCLA football game, the Daily Bruin football beat writers will predict the score and give a short reasoning behind their predictions.
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: 42
Colorado: 24
Prediction record: 6-1
Prediction differential: 15.1
Much like last week against Cal, this game features two of the nation’s top passing offenses and two less-than-stellar pass defenses. Behind sophomore quarterback Sefo Liufau and junior wide receiver Nelson Spruce, the Buffaloes average 307.6 passing yards per game, but several of those games have come against weak pass defenses.
Coming off a breakout performance by its pass rush, UCLA may have the tools to slow Colorado down if it can pressure Liufau. But the Bruins will first have to get past a Buffalo offensive line that allows the fewest sacks per game in the Pac-12.
Offensively, the Bruins appear to have hit their groove. Offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone had one of his better games calling plays last week, and facing a struggling Colorado defense that allows 38.6 points per game, the Bruins should have no trouble outscoring the Buffaloes.
Jordan Lee’s prediction
UCLA: 45
Colorado: 28
Prediction record: 6-1
Prediction differential: 15.4
If the Bruin offense can keep pace with the 40.75 points per game the Buffs have yielded to opposing Pac-12 offenses, then UCLA should have its second easy victory of the season – the other being Arizona State. Colorado’s defense ranks among the worst in the conference, as it has allowed the second-most touchdowns at 34, just behind Cal.
Meanwhile, the Bruin defense is coming off an encouraging performance against the Bears, as the team was finally able to generate a consistent pass rush and played the run well, holding Cal to 1.8 yards per carry. Despite its record, Colorado is better than last year’s 4-8 team and possesses a quarterback-receiver combination in sophomore Sefo Liufau and junior Nelson Spruce that is perfectly capable of challenging opposing defenses. However, if redshirt junior quarterback Brett Hundley and the rest of the team can hold onto the ball – which they’ve had trouble doing the past two weeks – the Bruins should be able to move the ball with ease and win this one handily.
