After two years of high anticipation, the Bruins are facing their first Big Ten opponent in a conference matchup. UCLA football (1-0) will enter the Rose Bowl for the first time this season on Saturday to meet Indiana (2-0) for an inaugural matchup between the programs. Here are this week’s predictions from Sports editor Ira Gorawara, contributor Matthew Niiya and assistant Sports editor Aaron Doyle – along with a guest prediction from senior staff writer Jeannie Kim.

Ira Gorawara
Sports editor
Prediction: UCLA 21, Indiana 17

Logistically, every advantage tilts in UCLA’s favor this week.

The Bruins lucked into a timely bye week ahead of their Big Ten opener – an affair that’s been circled since 2022. They’ll have the home-field edge in a landmark showdown, hosting an opponent making a 1,700-mile venture from Bloomington, Indiana.

Indiana’s biggest challenge to date looms ahead – though that’s hardly a high bar with its only opponents so far being Florida International and Western Illinois – and will land in Los Angeles with fewer than 24 hours to spare before kickoff.

In the comfort of the Rose Bowl, against a team getting its first taste of one of college football’s grandest stages, all logistical signs point to UCLA on Saturday.

The easiest argument for the Hoosiers is their flying start under newly minted coach Curt Cignetti, romping past FIU 31-7 before obliterating a school record with 77 points against Western Illinois.

Naturally, Indiana’s stars – quarterback Kurtis Rourke, wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. and running back Justice Ellison – put up flashy numbers. But dominating weak competition inflates stats, so let’s not overdo the praise.

It’s as if Indiana’s dismal 1-8 Big Ten record in 2023 – worst in the conference – has been overlooked, so much so that some are seriously anticipating it’ll overcome a UCLA team that’s far from elite, but far from scraping the conference’s cellar.

Coupled with the imposing atmosphere of the Rose Bowl, Indiana’s easy road of lopsided victories will certainly crumble Saturday.

Matthew Niiya
Daily Bruin contributor
Prediction: Indiana 23, UCLA 20

The season of firsts continues for UCLA.

Saturday’s contest not only marks the Bruins’ home opener, but also their inaugural Big Ten showdown and their first-ever matchup with the Hoosiers.

If UCLA wants to commence their conference slate on the right foot, it’ll need to play much better than it did in Honolulu.

Redshirt senior quarterback Ethan Garbers completed just half of his passes and turned the ball over twice while junior running back T.J. Harden posted a mere nine yards on as many carries.

Many of their struggles, however, could be attributed to the offensive line.

Missed blocking assignments and constant pressure in the backfield stuffed Harden all day long and forced Garbers to use his legs to escape the pocket and make plays.

The bye week has been critical for the Bruins to get healthy in the trenches. Redshirt junior Garrett DiGiorgio and redshirt senior Reuben Unije– who departed Hawai’i’s game with an injury – have chances to return this week to bolster the front.

UCLA’s defense – which held Hawai’i to just 13 points – will also be put to the test. Indiana has dropped 108 points across its first two matchups, albeit against lesser competition in Florida International and Western Illinois.

All three phases will need to execute their respective gameplans for the Bruins to come out on top. But in the end, UCLA will get a taste of its own medicine as a late Indiana field goal propels the Hoosiers to victory.

Aaron Doyle
Assistant Sports editor
Prediction: UCLA 30, Indiana 18

Look good, play good. Right?

Exactly two weeks ago, I watched my first UCLA football game from beginning to end. Despite entering my fourth-year and owning the title of “assistant Sports editor” here at The Bruin, my knowledge of the program only runs so deep.

While I don’t know much about football, I do know one thing – when you look good, you feel good. And when you feel good, winning is within reach.

The Bruins turned their eye to their game day fits two days before their season opener. Sporting blazers, designer T-shirts and hoodies entering Clarence T.C. Ching Complex in Honolulu, the Bruins will once again look sharp at the Rose Bowl on Saturday.

On top of its outfits off the field, UCLA consistently brings it in the uniform department. Coach DeShaun Foster has been known to keep his teams looking fresh, dressing the Bruins in the stunning combination of blue, gold and white that they rocked last weekend.

Indiana, on the other hand, wears a combination of crimson and cream. The crimson red is reminiscent of USC’s cardinal hue it wore when it was defeated by UCLA in 2023. While the Hoosiers haven’t necessarily disappointed in the college football fashion game, no program is taking it to the same level as the Bruins.

Saturday’s game marks a significant match – UCLA’s first against a Big Ten opponent, its first at home. With this added importance, Foster could have something up his sleeve to make the Bruins’ uniforms stand out.

The Bruins’ extra focus on their swagger will give them the necessary confidence to knock out Indiana and claim their first-ever victory in the Big Ten.

Jeannie Kim
Daily Bruin senior staff
Prediction: Indiana 35, UCLA 21

Even though I’m not a big football enthusiast, I’ve tuned into some UCLA games with the hopes of a Bruin victory.

Leading up to the notable crosstown rivalry against USC in November, UCLA was on a losing streak and many predicted the Trojans would ring the Victory Bell. But UCLA shocked some Bruin faithful – including myself – routing USC 38-20.

Prior to its home opener against Indiana, UCLA seems to be in a similar situation. Though the Bruins have a victory under their belt, they are not the consistent crowd favorite in predictions.

Not to hop on the bandwagon, but I have to admit that the chance for a UCLA win in its Big Ten debut looks slim.

It’s not to say that the Bruins are a weak team. With Garbers as the primary signal-caller, stability has reentered the Bruins’ roster. I also have some hope that Foster is leading the Bruins in a new – and better – direction.

While UCLA is still in the process of proving itself as a formidable contender, Indiana sailed out the gate, allowing just 10 points – while racking up 108 – so far this season. In fact, Indiana’s match against Western Illinois broke the long-standing school record for most points scored in a game.

But even if the Bruins end up tasting the bitterness of a loss at their Big Ten debut – against perhaps the weakest team in their conference – Saturday will be another step in their chase to greater national recognition.