The Big Ten cast novelty on all fronts for the Bruins – locations, opponents, travel and so forth.

But Saturday’s battle will reintroduce familiarity after a 96-year legacy in the Pac-12 melted.

UCLA football (1-2, 0-1 Big Ten) will face No. 8 Oregon (3-0) at the Rose Bowl, both teams’ first matchup against a prior Pac-12 opponent as Big Ten members. The affair – which will be UCLA’s first home game since fall quarter classes began – signifies the second matchup of the team’s three-game stretch against top-25 opponents.

“I’m actually excited to get the fans out to the Rose Bowl (at) eight o’clock, make a lot of noise behind the bench,” said coach DeShaun Foster.

The Ducks will enter the Rose Bowl boasting one of the most threatening offenses in the nation – powered by quarterback Dillion Gabriel and wide receiver Tez Johnson. Through just three games, Gabriel has logged 914 passing yards and six touchdowns alongside a 186.8 passer rating. Johnson – a projected early-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft – has logged 190 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

The Ducks’ greatest strength comes in their distribution of talent. The Gabriel-led offense – one that has averaged 36.7 points a game so far – features four receivers with 10-plus receptions and 100-plus receiving yards.

Oregon’s offensive juggernaut will test UCLA’s defensive line, one that has failed to record a sack in the last two games.

While the UCLA secondary has failed to record a turnover since its victory over Hawai’i, the lack of pressure the defensive line generates may be its Achilles heel as the line has produced just five sacks so far this season. After facing one of the best offensive lines in the country against LSU, UCLA will likely need a repeat of their fortune to rout the Ducks’ front – one that is consistently ranked top 10 in the nation.

“We need to find a way to get to the quarterback, and I think the defense is excited about this opportunity, especially a guy (Gabriel) who almost came here, so I think guys are fired up…” Foster said. “He’s (Gabriel is) a good quarterback, a lefty… hopefully we can slow him down.”

UCLA’s slow start on defense can be chalked up to the lack of production from its stars. Senior defensive lineman Jay Toia – a projected 2025 NFL Draft pick – has logged just half a tackle for a loss through three contests. Similarly, senior linebacker Oluwafemi Oladejo – who has been moved from middle to outside linebacker this year – has recorded just one tackle for loss along with zero sacks despite playing almost every snap.

“We just have to go attack and get the ball out as fast as possible, hit them guys, and just play fast and play physical, nothing major just keep it sweet and short,” said redshirt senior defensive lineman Siale Taupaki.

Although the Bruin defense has struggled as of late – surrendering 76 points across their last two contests – a bright spot shines through with redshirt junior linebacker Carson Schwesinger. The Moorpark, California, local is tied for the team lead in tackles with 21 along with 1.5 tackles for loss.

“At the end of the day putting your head down and just getting to work is going to end up getting you where you want to go,” Schwesinger said.

The Bruins will have the chance to avenge their home opener Saturday night at the Rose Bowl.