UCLA football schedule 2019: Game-by-game predictions

Game-by-game predictions

Game 1: at Cincinnati

The Bruins kicked off their season last year with a loss to Cincinnati on the road. The Bearcats were a big surprise last year going 11-2. This is a tough game for the Bruins to open their season.

Result: Loss

Game 2: vs. San Diego State

The first game at the Rose Bowl on the season is a tilt against San Diego State. The Aztecs have been a tough program under Rocky Long. This is a game the Bruins could serve themselves winning after not picking up a conference win last season.

Result: Win

Game 3: vs. Oklahoma

The toughest game of the season for the Bruins is a non-conference game at home against Lincoln Riley and Oklahoma. The Sooners now are led by former Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts, who will likely keep them a contender. If the Bruins can hang around and at least make this fun, that would be an achievement in itself.

Result: Loss

Game 4: at Washington State

This game could be a fun one. If Kelly’s offense can start to produce points, this is a game to pound the over as Mike Leach’s squad is going to score a lot. The Bruins probably won’t keep pace at Pullman, but if they can continue to develop chemistry on offense, this could go a long way toward future success on the season.

Result: Loss

Game 5: at Arizona

The Bruins edged out a one-point loss at home against Arizona last season. This year, Khalil Tate and company are at home. Conventional wisdom says here to take the team with the more experienced quarterback but don’t discount the Bruins either.

Result: Loss

Game 6: vs. Oregon State

Back at home against Oregon State, the Bruins should try to flex some muscles here. The Beavers are the one team in the conference that UCLA might be able to get right against and get a necessary win. A loss here would be one that doesn’t inspire confidence.

Result: Win

Game 7: at Stanford

These two programs played a close game last year at the Rose Bowl. UCLA, however, is still a ways off from being good enough to win on the road against a David Shaw-coached program. The Cardinal take this one.

Result: Loss

Game 8: vs. Arizona State

UCLA and Arizona State has been an interesting battle as of late. It’s hard to predict who’s going to come out on top in this battle. Defeating Arizona State and Herm Edwards at home might be a nice win to build on. The Sun Devils have plenty of questions of their own with Manny Wilkins no longer under center.

Result: Win

Game 9: vs. Colorado

At home again, the Bruins pick up consecutive wins for the first time on the season. Mel Tucker’s going to need time to revamp Colorado and Kelly’s squad at this point in the year could be building toward turning a corner.

Result: Win

Game 10: at Utah

A road game at Utah could be tough sledding late in the year in a cold environment. Even if UCLA is turning a corner, they could have a game where they get blown out and the Utes haven’t exactly struggled against the Bruins in recent history.

Result: Loss

Game 11: at USC

The rivalry game between USC and UCLA has been unpredictable. It’s really hard to gauge what USC could be this year as the cloud that is Clay Helton’s job hangs over the program. If things go south, UCLA could be in a position to uproot their rival. If not, the Trojans squeak one out at home.

Result: Loss

Game 12: vs. Cal

The final game of the season is at the Rose Bowl and much like last season, they will want to build momentum heading into the next season. With a team that might just miss out on bowl eligibility, closing out strong against a team UCLA blew out in 2018 would be a nice way to finish things out.

Result: Win

Final Record: 5-7 (4-5 in Pac-12)