Beat writers’ game day predictions: UCLA v. Washington

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: 28

Washington: 17

Prediction record: 8-1

Prediction differential: 14.2

Washington’s 6-3 record may be somewhat deceiving. Of Washington’s six wins, only two have come against opponents who currently have a winning record: Eastern Washington (8-2) and Cal (5-4). But all three of the Huskies’ games against opponents who were ranked at the time have been losses. So Washington has had most of its success this season against sub-.500 teams, giving its winning record a bit less strength.

But the Huskies are still a dangerous team. They’re second in the nation averaging 4.11 sacks per game and offensively, quarterback Cyler Miles and linebacker-turned-running back Shaq Thompson combine to make a very dynamic backfield. Add that to the challenges of playing at Husky Stadium, and UCLA has its work cut out on Saturday.

But the Bruins come into the game with as much confidence they’ve had all year. After nearly shutting out Arizona last week, if UCLA can repeat its defensive performance this week against a statistically weaker Washington offense, it should pull out the win.

Jordan Lee’s prediction

UCLA: 27

Washington: 20

Prediction record: 7-2

Prediction differential: 14.9

On paper, Washington simply doesn’t have the firepower to compete with UCLA, even with the addition of Shaq Thompson at running back.

In the Huskies’ previous three games against ranked Pac-12 opponents they have mustered just more than an average of 14 points per game and have been outscored 51-19 in the first half.

And while sophomore quarterback Cyler Miles has done a good job of taking care of the ball – he has thrown just one interception – he has rarely challenged defenses downfield, averaging 7.10 yards per attempt.

That means the defense should key into shutting down junior Shaq Thompson. UCLA has struggled against physical running backs this year, the most noticeable example being the 121-yard two-touchdown performance delivered by Oregon’s Royce Freeman.

However, the run defense is coming off one of its best performances of the year in holding Arizona to just 80 yards on the ground and 2.6 yards per carry.

UCLA will likely need another strong performance out of its run game this week to slow down Washington’s potent pass rush. The Bruins have averaged more than 280 yards rushing in their last four games, and another big performance out of redshirt junior quarterback Brett Hundley and redshirt sophomore running back Paul Perkins would go a long way in securing a fourth straight win.