UCLA Bruins vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers
The UCLA Bruins season has been one that has had some ups and downs, but it has also shown tremendous signs of promise for the future of the program with Josh Rosen at quarterback. Rosen has shined all year with his ability to pass the ball and run the ball, and the Bruins have become a force under him.
The Nebraska Cornhuskers meanwhile are coming off a down season where they finished with a 5-7 record. Thanks to the fact that there isn’t enough teams to qualify for bowls with six wins, the Cornhuskers are going to the Foster Farms Bowl to play the Bruins. They have a chance to right their season on Saturday.
Details for Saturday are below.
Date: Saturday, December 26
Time: 9:15 p.m. ET
Location: Santa Clara, CA
Stadium: Levi’s Stadium
TV Info: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN App
Keys to Victory
For the Bruins, they need to let their star quarterback make plays and allow him to make moves with both his arms and legs. When Rosen struggled in 2015, it was because his offensive line didn’t give him enough time to throw or get out and run.
The Cornhuskers are going to have to get pressure on Rosen, if they want a chance to win. Their front seven is going to have to dial up some consistent pressure, which will cause Rosen to make mistakes. If they can’t get after Rosen, then they will leave their defensive backs on an island, which will make Rosen’s job easy.
UCLA also needs to control the game on the ground to set up their quarterback for big plays. That means handing off to their running back, Paul Perkins. Perkins has the big-play ability at the running back position and if he can grind out the tough yards, then the Bruins will make plays easier in the air.
The Cornhuskers have to come out with a clean slate in their minds. 5-7 doesn’t matter anymore, as it’s one game to win a bowl in which they are heavy underdogs. That means quarterback Tommy Armstrong can’t turn over the ball, which he is occasionally prone to do. Protect the football and getting pressure on Rosen should be their plan of attack.
Betting Odds
Point Spread: UCLA -6.5
Moneyline: UCLA -115
O/U: 61
Prediction
Josh Rosen will continue to establish himself as one of the next big players in college football on Saturday. The Bruins are the heavy favorites, and have a defense that will cause Nebraska to turn the ball over. This will set up Rosen and Paul Perkins with plenty of great field position.
The Bruins should roll, but Nebraska has shown they can make it a tough game on occasion. However that’s not the case for this one. It’s going to be ugly for the Cornhuskers.
Pick: UCLA 45, Nebraska 17