UCLA football (4-7, 3-6 Big Ten) will cap off its landmark 2024 season Saturday at the Rose Bowl against Fresno State (6-5, 4-3 Mountain West). Here are this week’s gameday predictions from Sports editor Ira Gorawara and assistant Sports editors Connor Dullinger and Aaron Doyle – along with a guest prediction from national news and higher education editor Alexandra Crosnoe.

Ira Gorawara
Sports editor
Prediction: UCLA 28, Fresno State 23

I’ve left no doubt about where I stand on this UCLA program recently.

In short, I’m a big believer.

Not in the wins, records, rankings or star-studded recruits. More so in the ethos.

Because the bedrock of this Bruin squad has been deliberately and delicately sculpted brick by brick under the steady hand of DeShaun Foster – the newly minted head coach I’ve been a believer in since a day one.

The culture he’s cultivated in Westwood is not merely a buzzword tossed around in press conferences. It manifests as resilience, optimism, enthusiasm and respect that is drilled into every practice and stitched into every jersey.

Foster has – might I say – fostered a belief system, inheriting a program that was once unmoored and anchoring it in rock-solid values. He’s manufactured a team-first mentality in an era when me-first wins both headlines and paychecks.

He’s a “Bruin through and through,” as he often puts it. And the values that have been forged under Foster’s watch are the fire fueling my 28-23 prediction Saturday.

Fresno State’s always been a scrappy team. Certainly not the kind of squad to roll over amid high stakes. The Bulldogs – pun intended – thrive on the underdog mentality, employing a pesky attitude assembled by coach Tim Skipper.

But the thing – or maybe, my thing – is that they don’t have what UCLA has in spaces: a culture of unshakeable belief. Foster’s culture isn’t just a feel-good story, but more so a competitive advantage that will manifest itself in the season’s finale.

Beyond the culture, the unrelenting hunger to honor their seniors and coaches will propel the Bruins over the line. It’s a final stamp on the 2024 season – a chance to prove that what’s been built this season matters.

So when the game’s on the line, emotional fuel will give the Bruins the edge they need to maneuver the hump.

Connor Dullinger
Assistant Sports editor
Prediction: UCLA 35, Fresno State 14

There’s really nothing left to play for.

UCLA lost to USC at the Rose Bowl on rivalry weekend and have consequently been knocked out of bowl contention.

However, this team has seen darker moments.

When the Bruins resided in the cellar of the Big Ten at 1-5, with their lone victory coming against Hawai’i – a program that beat Fresno State 21-20 on Nov. 2 – it looked as if their season was over.

But the Bruins refused to take their foot off the pedal, winning three straight Big Ten contests against Rutgers, Nebraska and Iowa.

And I fully expect the Bruins to return their feet to the gas pedal come Saturday at the Rose Bowl. Redshirt senior quarterback Ethan Garbers will play his final game in blue and gold, and I find it hard to believe he will end his UCLA career on a loss and subpar performance.

Though, the Bruins’ biggest point of exploitation may be the Bulldogs’ rush defense, one that has conceded at least 100 rushing yards in seven of its last eight contests, including Air Force’s 344-yard rushing performance and UNLV’s 252-yard outing.

The Bruins’ rushing attack, highlighted by junior running back T.J. Harden, will feast on Thanksgiving week and continue its recent dominance, characterized by more than 100 rushing yards in three of its last four matchups.

If the Bruins play how Foster has said they will, fireworks will adorn the Rose Bowl sky.

Aaron Doyle
Assistant Sports editor
Prediction: UCLA 13, Fresno State 21

Foster was on track to getting the job done this year.

He won his first game at the helm of UCLA football. He helped recover a program that looked like it was spiraling. But what might be his most profound impact is the newfound culture he established in just nine months.

The Bruins dug deep into those customs, but still fell short in many areas.

For one, they lost to USC in one of their most important games for bowl eligibility. The unit looked hungry, but it takes time to ingrain long-lasting winning. Regardless of how much UCLA wanted to take down its crosstown rivals, the offense outright let the team down.

And because of that performance, it seems to me that UCLA fans are questionably optimistic.

Fresno State is no opponent to look past. While the program is far from a household name, its recent history puts it a step above UCLA ahead of Saturday’s game.

The Bulldogs have acquired bowl eligibility in every season since 2021, a testament to the strength of the program that coach Tom Skipper has established in his tenure. And they’ve defeated the Bruins in the teams’ past four matchups, dating back to 2003.

But just because of UCLA’s famed and storied culture, Fresno State almost looks like the underdog.

That tale is likely to change at the Rose Bowl on Saturday.

Alexandra Crosnoe
National news and higher education editor
Prediction: UCLA 13, Fresno State 9

Foster and Skipper duked it out on the gridiron in 2000.

Skipper was a Bulldog and Foster was a Bruin, leading UCLA with 140 rushing yards to steer his team to a 24-21 victory.

He’s about to repeat history.

Now, don’t get me wrong – the Bruins won’t take down the Bulldogs handily. If this season has shown us anything, it’s that the Bruins tend to match the level of their opponents, whether that means playing up or down.

For example, UCLA nearly lost to Hawaii – a now-4-7 team – but defeated Iowa, a now-7-4 team. UCLA is also coming off a loss to USC, while Fresno State just upset Colorado State to make it bowl eligible.

But amid the heartbreaking rivalry loss, a few things actually looked good for the Bruins – things that pair up nicely with the Bulldogs’ weaknesses.

For one, UCLA’s defense remained solid under pressure, holding USC to a field goal thrice when the Trojans were given a first down within the five-yard line. While the defense floundered somewhat in the second half of the game, it showed that it is capable of making needed stops.

With a sound defense, it’s up to the Bruins’ offense to bring the game home – and, to be honest, my faith is limited. While I do believe UCLA will emerge victorious, the game will likely be slow and rely on consistency from Harden and redshirt junior wide receiver J.Michael Sturdivant.

The Bruins might not give a 2000 DeShaun Foster-level performance, but they’ll get the job done.