Sam Settleman
Sports editor
Prediction: UCLA 31, Washington 42

Last year, I fixated on Jayden Daniels as the Pac-12 quarterback whom I thought could blossom into a star.

So when Arizona State visited the Rose Bowl in 2021, I wrote a whole prediction about being a believer in Daniels. Yet, in a move that can only be described as cowardly, I still picked UCLA to win that game.

Of course, the Bruins got blown out by the Sun Devils as Daniels routinely beat the blue and gold over the top.

This time, I’m not making the same mistake.

Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has become a certifiable star right in front of our eyes. In his first year with the Huskies, Penix leads the country in passing yards through four games and has tossed 12 touchdowns.

He doesn’t have the same dual-threat ability as some of the other top quarterbacks in college football, but Penix can make every throw on the field and has the weapons to beat the Bruins secondary. UCLA’s defense could barely contain South Alabama and gave up 17 points to an atrocious Colorado offense just last week, so I certainly don’t expect the Bruins to be able to slow down one of the top offenses in the country.

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results, so this time I’m choosing to uphold my sanity and put my faith in Penix to light up the UCLA defense Friday night.

Jon Christon
Daily Bruin senior staff
Prediction: UCLA 48, Washington 45

Pac-12 After Dark is weird.

So let’s get weird.

At this point, it is a very real phenomenon. Conference games with the right characteristics are bound by different laws than regular contests, and this has all the makings of an absolute classic – perhaps UCLA’s last for the foreseeable future.

A kickoff time past 7 p.m.? Check. Two electric offenses? Check. Questions on defense? Check.

This weirdness will start on offense. You don’t exactly have to be a rocket scientist to know this game will be high scoring.

Both UCLA and Washington have scored more than 40 points in three of their first four games to start the season. The two schools also boast fifth-year starting quarterbacks in redshirt senior Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Indiana transfer Penix – not to mention UCLA coach Chip Kelly and Washington coach Kalen DeBoer are two of the best offensive minds in the game.

Both teams also have questions on defense. We all know about UCLA’s defensive woes – especially against the pass – but Washington could be without its two starting cornerbacks, and has yet to be challenged by a real offense so far this season.

With all that in mind, I believe this will be yet another high-scoring Pac-12 After Dark affair – and UCLA has the edge.

Washington may be better on paper, but the terms “better” and “on paper” don’t apply once the clock strikes 7 p.m. It will be weird, and the Huskies – led by two Pac-12 newcomers in DeBoer and Penix – just don’t have the conference experience to be ready for what is about to unfold Friday night in Pasadena.

Joseph Crosby
Assistant Sports editor
Prediction: UCLA 38, Washington 45

When writing these predictions, it’s hard not to talk ad nauseam about points that can be found in other predictions and previews and scouting reports.

Jon has correctly explained how this has all the makings of a Pac-12 After Dark classic. We’ve published enough stories detailing how UCLA snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against South Alabama then proceeded to allow Colorado – one of the worst offensive teams in the country – to have its best scoring game of the season.

At first glance, Washington’s combined 29-point differential against Michigan State and Stanford isn’t eye-popping, but it’s important to note that the Huskies carried 22- and 23-point leads into the fourth quarter against the Spartans and Cardinal, respectively, and the pair are also higher quality opponents than South Alabama and Colorado.

There’s a reason that despite both teams being 4-0, Washington is currently ranked in the top 15 and UCLA only picked up three total points in the AP poll earlier this week.

Now, that’s not to say the Bruins are at a massive disadvantage. The blue and gold’s offense ranks 12th in the country, and it’s also two spots higher than Washington in terms of total defense. This UCLA roster has a lot of potential, and a Friday night game with students back in Westwood could give the Bruins a much needed boost.

This game features a pair of strong offenses and will almost certainly be a back-and-forth contest potentially showcasing some big plays, ugly turnovers and frustrating decision-making. But when it comes down to it, Washington will be leaving the state with another one in the win column and UCLA will get its first taste of defeat.

Joseph Jimenez
Assistant Photo editor
Prediction: UCLA 31, Washington 56

UCLA will lose embarrassingly.

As a Bruin, I always want to root for my dear blue and gold. However, if there is anything that UCLA has taught me as a fan, it is to be prepared to face disappointment.

Let me take you back to last week’s game against Colorado. If that game was an indicator of anything, it is that UCLA will lose under the Friday Night Lights. The Bruins narrowly escaped South Alabama – a game I photographed – with a buzzer-beating field goal, and let the Buffaloes score a whole 17 points the week after. This number would be respectable against any other team, but to let Colorado score a season high against a 3-0 team is truly unacceptable.

Washington has been a dark horse, and is doing what UCLA has failed to do: prove themselves.

As a fan, I would love for the Rose Bowl to fill with cheers as the Bruins take down their first ranked opponent this season. But I believe I will only be hearing the jarring sounds of Husky fans cheering and the Den leaving Friday night.