UCLA football (0-2) may win its first game of the season against New Mexico (1-1) when the two squads face off Friday night at the Rose Bowl in its last nonconference game of the season. The two squads have played each other just once before, with the Bruins winning by two scores in 2002. Here are UCLA’s week two predictions from Sports editor Connor Dullinger and senior staffer Una O’Farrell – along with a guest prediction from Copy editor B.T. Salle-Widelock.

Connor Dullinger
Sports editor
Prediction: UCLA 28, New Mexico 17

Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while.

UCLA football is the squirrel, and its first win since November 2024 is the nut.

As much as the Bruins seem sightless – aimlessly drifting through mockery and mediocrity in their supposed “breakout” campaign – I feel just as blind.

An entirely revamped coaching staff and roster – one that featured the program’s highest-ranked prospect in school history and a coaching prodigy who just made a lot out of nothing at Indiana – gave me the impression that the team could reflect the storied Bruin teams of the past.

But I was far off the mark with my first two predictions and am struggling to see the bright light at the end of this very dark and seemingly endless tunnel.

The Lobos are likely the easiest opponent left on the Bruins’ gauntlet of a schedule – one that features No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 Penn State.

And if UCLA cannot pull out a victory – a comfortable one at that – against New Mexico at home, then sights might as well turn toward 2026, or basketball season – dealer’s choice.

All signs point to a UCLA victory Friday night. New Mexico quarterback Jack Layne has half the ability of UNLV’s Anthony Colandrea and Utah’s Devon Dampier, and is prone to negative plays. It is the perfect matchup for the Bruin defense to bolster its confidence after faltering in the past two contests.

The Lobos’ defense is also nothing to write home about and boasts a largely new, FBS-inexperienced roster. If the Bruins’ offensive display in the second half against the Rebels was legit, then this unit’s prowess should be highlighted against the Lobos.

But then again, anything can happen in college football.

And even worse, it is UCLA – meaning that really anything is possible.

Una O’Farrell
Daily Bruin senior staff
Prediction: UCLA 29, New Mexico 23

People often say, “Third time’s the charm.”

And I am a heavily superstitious person.

I was born in Ireland, I wear a four-leaf clover ring every day and I will cross the street to avoid a black cat.

So after two rocky weeks of play from the Bruins, I believe week three will finally deliver the up-to-par performance that coach DeShaun Foster has been searching for.

New Mexico does not exactly bring the intimidation factor.

The Lobos have not finished a season above .500 since 2016, and their 2024 campaign ended with a 5-7 record in the Mountain West conference.

A program once known for triple-option grit has been stuck in neutral. It is hard to see this trip to the Rose Bowl being the one that jump-starts its revival.

The Bruins, meanwhile, are still finding their footing in the Foster era.

The defense has shown flashes of physicality, and redshirt sophomore quarterback Nico Iamaleava has slightly teased the upside that made him one of the nation’s most coveted recruits.

But sustained execution has been elusive.

UCLA will need a tune-up before diving back into the Big Ten gauntlet, and a struggling Mountain West foe provides the right opportunity.

I expect some mistakes, sure – superstition only goes so far – but I also expect the Bruins to stack enough points and pressure to come away with a comfortable victory.

So, whether it is luck, charm, or finally just clicking, I will bet on the Bruins for Week 3.

Barnett Salle-Widelock
Slot editor
Prediction: New Mexico 28, UCLA 17

I have tried so hard to be optimistic.

With only four years to be a Bruins fan while at the school, I have consistently tried to see the UCLA glass as half full.

After former head honcho Chip Kelly jumped ship following an 8-5 season, I was successfully converted by the “Fos Era” marketing and looked ahead to what I thought would be the glowing future of the program.

Alas.

Last year was rough – the loss to USC hit especially hard – but I once again fell for the hype.

The turmoil and turnover under center were rocky, but I was happy to see a big name come to UCLA. I got my hopes up that some star power could bring the Bruins out of mediocrity.

Fool me twice, shame on you.

Now, following two disastrous embarrassments against Utah and UNLV, respectively, I have finally learned my lesson.

UCLA’s football program is in a downward spiral, and New Mexico has a great chance to give it another shove in that direction.

The Lobos are coming off a victory and are set up to get revenge on the Big Ten after falling to Michigan in week one. While my former self would have brought up home field advantage, empty seats and plummeting ticket prices have taken even that away.

It will take something miraculous to give the Bruins a chance. But at this point, I am not letting myself consider the possibility.

I have given up.

In my mind, this season – if not the rest of this decade – appears to be a wash.

If UCLA wants to have a competitive program in the future, a top-down overhaul is needed – but that will have to wait at least until the end of the season.

For now, it’s time to hunker down and prepare for another harsh blowout of the Southwest.