UCLA men’s basketball (1-1) will begin Pac-12 play in December for the 2020-21 season. Before the first conference matchup, Daily Bruin Sports editors each predicted the team’s final conference record, Pac-12 final standing and an X-factor player (or two).

UCLA football (2-2) came out on top Saturday, winning 27-10 at home against Arizona (0-3). The Bruins started out slow before taking a double-digit lead at the half – then it was all defense.

This post was updated Nov. 28 at 9:25 p.m.
While the Bruin offense took over the first half, it was the defense that put the game away in the second.

After falling behind early, the Bruins roared back behind their running backs.
UCLA football (1-2) takes a 20-7 lead into the half over Arizona (0-2) at the Rose Bowl on Saturday.

Jack Perez
Sports editor
Prediction: UCLA 38, Arizona 21
Even with multiple players likely out due to contact tracing protocols, this needs to be an easy win for the Bruins.

It’s time for tipoff once again, 263 days later.
No. 22 UCLA men’s basketball kicks off the regular season with a trip down the Interstate 5 to face San Diego State.

This post was updated Nov. 21 at 9:35 a.m.
UCLA football (1-1) will head up to Eugene to face No. 11 Oregon (2-0) Saturday to try to go over .500 for the first time under coach Chip Kelly.

Jack Perez
Sports editor
Prediction: Oregon 31, UCLA 14
Coach Chip Kelly is heading back to his old school, where he had much more success than his current tenure.

This post was updated Nov. 22 at 5:50 p.m.
Defense wins championships.
As cliche as the phrase is, it will be a focal point for a UCLA men’s basketball team that fell one game short of sharing the Pac-12 regular-season title last season and has not made the NCAA tournament since 2018.

Jack Perez
Sports editor
Prediction: UCLA 28, California 21
These Bruins still have a chance this season to turn things around. But they have to win this weekend.