We’re back with our first episode of the upcoming year for Daily Bruin’s sports podcast, “Out of Bounds.” Sports staff writer Gavin Carlson sits down with Sports senior staff writer Jack Nelson to give their full predictions for every game of UCLA football’s upcoming campaign.
Gavin Carlson: Hi, I’m Gavin Carlson and this is Out of Bounds, Daily Bruin Sports’ podcast.
GC: Hello, everybody and welcome to another episode of Out of Bounds, the official sports podcast of the Daily Bruin. We’re back. It’s the first episode of the 2023-24 academic and athletic year. I’m your host, Gavin Carlson, a rising fourth-year sports staff writer here at the Daily Bruin, and I’m joined by my fantastic guest, another fellow rising fourth-year, a senior sports staff writer here at the Daily Bruin, Mr. Jack Nelson. How’re you doing, buddy?
Jack Nelson: I’m doing great, Gavin. Great to see you after a little while. I’m so excited to be back here in the office and talk some Bruin football today.
GC: That’s right, we’re going to be making our game-by-game predictions for the upcoming UCLA football season. Solid season for UCLA last year but we’ll see if they can do even better this year in 2023. Before we start, I have to address a little elephant in the room. If you’re listening to this podcast, as always on Spotify, Apple podcasts or SoundCloud, you may not realize we are actually recording live in front of three high-tech cameras in the UCLA Daily Bruin office here in Kerckhoff Hall. We have Zoe Busenberg behind the camera, helping us make this a video production. So if you want to see the video recording of this podcast, you can go to the Daily Bruin YouTube channel. Go ahead and like the video, subscribe and stay tuned because we’re going to be posting all of our podcasts on the YouTube channel from here on out. But with that being said, let’s jump into our predictions for the upcoming season. Like we said, UCLA, a solid season last year 9-4, did not finish the way the Bruins would have hoped losing in their bowl game against Pitt, obviously losing that epic game to USC at the Rose Bowl. But a lot of intrigue with this team this year. New quarterback, that’s going to be the storyline early on. As of this recording, we don’t know who’s going to be the starting quarterback for UCLA. But we’re gonna jump into week one, the Bruins will be at home in the Rose Bowl, likely very hot Rose Bowl. The first game of the season always seems to be in the 90s, even the hundreds. UCLA will be hosting Coastal Carolina who went nine and four last season. And so Jack, we’ll start with you. What did you know? Wondering the quarterback position Dante Moore, Ethan Garbers, Collin Schlee. Who do you think’s going to start? Who do you think should start for UCLA and that week one game?
JN: I mean, I think it should be Dante, and if it’s not Dante, I will be very surprised. I mean, you think about how much hype there’s been around Dante Moore, one of the biggest recruits in UCLA history coming in. He’s got to be the man I think from week one here, and if he’s not, I’d be very surprised. I think he’s done enough in practice to earn the job. Still doing some work. I’m sure with the other quarterbacks still competition going on right now. But I think it’s got to be Dante, for sure.
GC: Yeah, I agree. I think it should be Dante, and I do think it will be Dante. You know, Chip Kelly has done a good job all offseason trying to, you know, give every quarterback the chance to earn the job. You know, Ethan Garbers looked good in that bowl game when DTR got hurt, and he’s an experienced guy if you want to go that route, but I think the schedule really works out well for Dante Moore. You have three nonconference games against three teams that the Bruins will be favored against. So if Dante can sort of ease into college life ease into you know, playing D1 football against three nonpower five schools and then in week four, we’ll get to Utah and we’ll see how it can handle it. I think it would make a lot of sense for Dante to start from week one. So jumping into the game, who do you got winning week one? I assume UCLA but see any surprises?
JN: Yes. So I do have UCLA winning against Coastal Carolina week one, I think it’s gonna be a little closer than some people might expect. I have them 34-28 final score. Um, when you think of Coastal Carolina, first person that comes to mind for me, Grayson McCall. I was just surprised to hear that he is still at Coastal Carolina. He’s kind of like the less talented DTR over there. He’s been there for so long, but he’s just so entrenched in that offense. He’s like the first ever player to be voted the three times Sunbelt Conference Player of the Year over there just has established so much with Coastal Carolina and people recognize that team from the couple of great seasons we had a couple years back couple 10 win seasons over there. But I think ultimately Coastal Carolina may have a bit of an upper hand offensively maybe from experience standpoint, like I said, McCall’s very familiar with that offense, but if UCLA does end up starting Dante, they have a serious talent disparity there. I think that’s really gonna work to their advantage, as well as the fact that defensively Coastal Carolina is dealing with some major losses at the defensive line as well as the quarterback positions. And so I think UCLA’s offense can really exploit them there and they’ll be able to really come out on top in this game.
GC: Yeah, obviously, I’ve usually as well. Just a couple more stats. Coastal Carolina 29 points per game last season, like you said, a really strong offense, but their defense not so good. Thirty-two points per game allowed last season, and you know, whether it’s Dante whether it’s Ethan Garbers, regardless, UCLA’s gonna move the ball well, they always move the ball well at the Rose Bowl. And so even if it takes a few drives a relatively new offensive line for UCLA that’s something to keep your eye on if the run game looks as strong as it did last year. But regardless, this team’s gonna score so many points all season especially against a weak Coastal Carolina defense. So I have a 38-28 UCLA, high scoring game, most likely, but UCLA we both have them 1-0 to start the season after a nonconference schedule season opener at the Rose Bowl. Transitioning out a week to UCLA will be at San Diego State at a new San Diego State stadium relatively new San Diego State solid season last year, kind of this program that is always slept on, you feel like they’re always creeping into the top 25 kind of in and out. They’re gonna have a solid team this year, a lot of new faces. But once again, we’ll go to you first I assume you’ve got UCLA winning this one as well.
JN: I do. Yes. Have UCLA winning this one 38-21 Just you said the San Diego State there’s certainly not a team you want to overlook if you’re Chip Kelly and this UCLA Bruins team. Just a very consistent program, 13 straight winning seasons, they’re kind of somewhat infamously defeated used to late last time they played them over the Rose Bowl and 2019 back when the program was really starting to you know rebuild develop over UCLA and Chip Kelly was still doing a lot of work over there. But just look at the San Diego State team. I mean, it was kind of interesting looking at last season when they had a defensive back also stepped in at quarterback, Jalen Mayden and he did inject some life into that offense, but he’s definitely an errant passer so something to be wary of there for San Diego State’s offense he’s got some decent weapons, Mekhi Shaw, Raphael Williams some good guys, but ultimately what San Diego State’s gonna have to rely on if they want to keep this a close affair is gonna be the defense. Defense has been really the definition of San Diego State teams for a long time now. They haven’t finished below 21st nation until defense since 2013. And but there’s a lot of turnover for them going into the season on the defensive side of the ball. And so I think that’ll help UCLA and their offense really gain some momentum as they begin to get through nonconference play here going into the regular season. And do, yeah, I do have usually winning this one ultimately.
GC: Yeah, I agree. UCLA I have a 35-27 relatively close once again, if it is Dante Moore, it’s it’ll be interesting. It’ll be his first road game in college and you know, sometimes people underestimate how difficult that can be. You’re used to be at home in the Rose Bowl making that nice drive over from campus it’s nice and easy. But you know, it’s not like San Diego State’s that far but it’s a different experiences as a, you know, a high school player versus a college player, traveling over to an opposing stadium having to deal with fans having to deal with maybe a different way of calling plays in the huddle, all of that so it’ll be interesting if it is Dante to see how he responds to his first road game. Just going off what you said about San Diego State defenses are key they allowed only 20 points a game last year, which is really really good in college football, seven and six last year, like you said, they’re kind of been shaky recently a lot of turnover. But I think for whatever reason, I just have a feeling it’s going to be a Laiatu Latu game. One of the best players in the conference, probably the best player on UCLA. I think he’s probably the favorite to be Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year and for whatever reason I just think he’s going to show up big in the San Diego State game a lot of turnover on the offensive line. I wouldn’t be surprised if he records this for a sack of the season if he doesn’t get it against Coastal Carolina but yeah 35-27 For me usually jump into a two and 0 start thinking most people expect that and I think people expect usually to continue that in week three when they go back to the Rose Bowl and host NC Central. Probably the easiest game with a three in the non conference slate and probably done on purpose because you know after that you have a really big game against Utah so it’ll be nice to come back home to the Rose Bowl play NC Central and likely get a pretty simple win. I don’t think we need to waste too much time on this. The talent disparities it’s not even close right? If it is Dante by then who out who really, you know, be used to college football life and I have a 38-17 I don’t think it’s gonna be close. You probably have it even bigger though.
JN: Yeah, I have a bigger margin of victory for UCLA here. I have the Bruins winning 45-14 As you said. Yeah, talent disparities heat for this one. I mean, I will give NC Central some credit at the quarterback position. Davius Richard is one of the best passers they’ve had in program history. He’s I think second all time passing yards, touchdown, so offense at the program. So we certainly established a great culture there where he leaned leading that offense but ultimately, I mean, the difference in athleticism talent just as you said, it’s I think it’s gonna be too much for NC Central overcome. The Bruins have just won pretty handily, I think.
GC: Yeah, so there it is. UCLA 3-0 to start the regular season three nonconference games. I think I asked people on Twitter, you ask people on campus everyone says the same thing UCLA starting the season 3-0. It would be a huge disappointment if they don’t if they managed to somehow lose one of those games. But now was when things really start week for UCLA traveling to Salt Lake City to take on Utah. That is going to be a massive game just like it was last year when Utah traveled to the Rose Bowl. You know, it’s funny, it’s kind of similar timing. Last season, UCLA had already beaten Washington before the Utah game. People were feeling like okay, this this UCLA team is legit. This is a little bit different though. The Bruins will not have played anyone really before this game. But you know, based on the history of the Utah UCLA kind of rivalry in recent years, other than last year Utah’s owned, they’ve won the last five matchups going before that game last year Cam Rising is back. He’s one of the best players in the conference, one of the best quarterbacks in the country. And I don’t know about you, but I think this was where UCLA picks up its first loss. I do have the UCLA I just think you’re in Salt Lake City. I think it’s one of the 10 hardest places to play in all of college football. I think it’s a very underrated road atmosphere, especially if it’s a night game. We don’t know yet. But if it’s a night game on ESPN, it’ll probably be a blackout. The fans will be going crazy that that place gets loud. You don’t know what the weather’s like, you know, easing into the fall and in Salt Lake City. I just think there’s too many sort of external factors, ignoring the roster, or ignoring that Utah brings a lot of people back, especially on offense. Just looking at some of the extracurricular sides of it. I think, a lot. There’s a lot going on at UCLA. So I have it 31-24, Utah, Utah, the defense is great. Their offense is always underrated. People think that this is just the Smash Mouth team that scores 14 points. This is an Iowa folks, Utah scores points. All right, they’re in the 40s They’re in the 30s. They shut down USC twice. It’s once in Salt Lake City. And so this legit team, they’ve been great in the Pac-12 The past few years, and they’re going to do it. I think they’re going to be UCLA in Week 4 what about you?
JN: I agree with you Gavin I got Utah winning 24-14. This one low scoring low score. Yeah, low scoring one I think. So I mean, just you said like Utah is pretty much the last opponent UCLA want to face first game of the season in conference play. That’s a really tough draw for them. And just you said with the environment as well, like Rice, Eccles is one of the toughest stadiums to play against or play in, especially in a night setting, when of course, like the fans are roaring, it’s on ESPN, all this publicity, all this coverage. And Utah, for those who don’t know, has been pretty much owning the Pac-12. These past few years, they were 10-2 for in 2022 and 2021. Back to Back Rose Bowl appearances given no wins in either of those, but also back to back Pac-12. Champs, and so they are truly a team to be to go into the season the Pac-12. And so I think UCLA is really gonna struggle against the really tough defense, as you mentioned, in addition to the fact that Cam Rising, probably a top 15 quarterback in college football, right now, I would say you just run the relay trip in Utah offense. They’re the as you said, it’s very underrated doesn’t really get enough appreciation as if they think they should. And Kyle Winningham has done a really good job as head coach over there. I think the only question really for Utah is how healthy is Cam Rising going to be how is he’s going to be 100% Ready to go start the season for because he tore his ACL at the end of last season in the Rose Bowl against Penn State. And so if he’s not a percent, then UCLA might have a chance there to really kind of get a bit of an edge, especially if they have a quarterback like Dante Moore, who at that point is maybe a little more comfortable with the offense he feels better in that scheme. Ultimately, if UCLA wants to win this one, the defense is gonna have to stand very tall against a really good TE play a really punishing ground game that Utah usually shapes up to have. And so yeah, I think Utah ultimately will prove their worth as a top team in the Pac-12. And this one.
GC: I think one other thing to point out, you talked about Cam Rising and the health that’s a huge factor. We’ll see what the knee looks looks like. I think a lot of people underestimate the running ability of characterizing. He is not a pocket passer he is very much a dual threat he likes to run especially in the redzone when they’re down there inside the five play action roll out run it in, you know against USC was that two point conversion, he leaped over the goal line, big physical runner, so if his knees not 100% that takes a big aspect of his game. I think one other thing that mentioned Utah will once again open the season against Florida. That’s a very difficult game. So if Utah has any issues against Florida and week one, they’re at home this year. Last year they lost in Florida, but at home against Florida and then they go to Baylor so their first two games quite difficult. It’s not like UCLA has got three cupcakes to start the season. Two of Utah’s first three games are very difficult. So who knows? Maybe they’re one and two, two and one going into that game. I don’t know if that’s good news or bad news for UCLA if you have an angry Utah roster or a team that plays very physical, but who knows, maybe maybe they’re in a couple dogfights earlier in the season. And the rosters already a little depleted in that helps UCLA we’ll see. But I think with both teams at full strength and if Cam Rising is healthy, I think it makes sense for both of us to have Utah. So yeah, UCLA falls to three and one on both of our predictions so far. We transitioned out a week five UCLA will travel back to the Rose Bowl, the comfy confines of Pasadena, California, there’ll be taken on Washington State. And when everyone thinks usually Washington State they think of 2019. Believe it or not, that is the last time these two teams played against each other. I was amazed by that. I don’t know. Between COVID and just the way the Pac-12 schedule works. It’s been four years since usually has played Washington State. If you go to bat go back to that game. That’s one of the most epic games in like, the past 10 years of college football usually comes all the way back. Nine touchdowns for Anthony Gordon, nine touchdowns, and you lose the game. So yeah, it just had to mention that everyone thinks about that game and 2019. I don’t think we’re going to be getting 60 points from either team this time around. I don’t know if that’s what you’re predicting. But we’ll start with you. You have UCLA bouncing back from Utah loss.
JN: So let me tell you Gavin, we have talked about the inexplicable loss for UCLA football for many years. Last year was Arizona year for that Fresno State year before that Stanford. There’s always a team that usually manages to lose against that by every other metric they should beat. And my pick for the season is Washington State’s right. So for the past season, the Washington State has been a very consistently mediocre team in the Pac 12, 7-6 in 2022 and 2021. But this offense is something you will definitely want to watch out for. I’ll tell you why it’s because Washington state has brought in Ben Arbuckle, who’s the former co offensive coordinator over Western Kentucky, which is one of those paths heavy offense is in college, all of college football. And so this passing attack in Washington state is about to get ramped up a lot. And then some. And we have seen the defense for UCLA fold on multiple occasions, like entire latter half last season was filed for games, every single time defense folded in clutch scenarios just couldn’t buy a stop when the offense needed it. And I think this is one of those games where UCLA just gets exposed not because of defenses really bad or just really porous. But the fact that it’s one of those games where you just gotta be careful, the opponent usually overlooks them, and I think Washington State is going to win 42-38
GC: Wow, that’s that’s a huge call. The first surprise of the episode, I do not have that happening. It makes a lot of sense. We always talked about it with UCLA like he said, there’s always one loss. That makes no sense last year was Arizona. I think the only reason why I don’t think it happens to Washington State is because we both have them coming off a loss. I think if they’re coming off a win at Utah, they’re all high and mighty. They think it that’s usually what happens, right? It’s when UCLA thinks they’re at this level of you know, being elite, and then they get humbled. Right, you know, and it’s Fresno State, they just been LSU. There’s a lot of hype, you lose to Fresno State a couple of games later. So, you know, because we both have them losing the Utah I think that they’ll be in the right mindset to avoid that upset, but it’s a great call the Washington State offense, passing games always huge. It was huge in 2019. With the late great Mike Leach rest in peace. But now in 2023, you said new coaching staff and I think there’s a lot of intrigue around the program, one of the remaining Pac four schools right, we’ll see if there’s any bad blood with that throughout the season. I doubt it. At this point. It is what it is with realignment, but I don’t have UCLA losing I have them winning and jumping to 4-1, we’ll say 42-35 and think it’s going to be another high scoring game. And I still think it’s going to be close. I don’t think any Pac-12 games are blowouts this year. It’s a very even conference, a lot of solid teams. But UCLA jumps to four and one for me falls at three and two for Jack. So now we’ll go to week six, UCLA, this is another game that I think people have usually maybe losing. It’s at Oregon State in Corvallis, a very new look, Oregon State team. They really surprised a lot of people out here beating Oregon at the end of the season. And it’s funny a lot of people kind of said they did it with one hand tied behind their back maybe their offense, very one dimensional running game, amazing passing game. Not so good. But there’s a new quarterback in town. And that defense is going to be great. We’ll start with you UCLA to the I guess for you two straight losses do they finally get back in the win column?
JN: They do have you say getting back in that win column and they’re going to be winning 34-24 and this one by my calculations. And as you match with the QB the big story for Oregon State is that they are the ones who won the DJ Uiagalelei race.
GC: Wait. Can we take a moment for that pronunciation that was I stayed away from it. I just said new quarterback in town. He got it, shout out to Jack that was nice.
JN: Appreciate it. But yeah, he’s the one who should be leading this offense. I think a lot of people are seeing him as what Bo Nix was last year to Oregon. He has potential to do that this year. And I think you’d have a really terrific quarterback battle if Dante is really established in this offense at this point. And DJ is really back in his element Oregon State after a really rough year last year at Clemson. I think you could see a great quarterback file here. I mean offensively other than that Oregon State has a good group of running backs returning not really any big changes there for them. And one of the most productive offensive lines in the country as well. But it won’t be too explosive I don’t think. With Uiagalelei it’s not really something that’s going to be spreading the field too much. Not a lot of big chunk plays. But just really about versatility for that offense. And I think defensively from Oregon State that would they had the Pac-12’s top defense last season’s that was huge for them, especially in the red zone, they had the top red zone defense in the country. So that was huge for Oregon State. But they are suffering some serious losses on that front five, seven top tacklers from last year now out of picture. And so that defense is a lot more vulnerable. And that’s where I think UCLA really comes into picture here and is able to get the win and get back in that win column.
GC: I agree we’re back on the same page. I have UCLA winning. I think this is a game where we’re gonna learn a lot about useless new defensive coordinator, D’Anton Lynn. I think like you said Oregon State’s offense. It’s a little one dimensional even though you have a new quarterback, even though he’s supposed to open up the passing game a little bit. I think it’s still obviously run heavy team. I think DJ’s, you know, kind of a lot of read options, a lot of QB power. Obviously he’s going to try to spread the ball around a little bit, but I think we learned a lot about D’Anton Lynn, hearing rumors of him being aggressive. We’ve had aggressive defensive coordinators at UCLA in the past in terms of blitzing, but in terms of, you know, defensive backs, a lot of soft coverage. A lot of one on one coverage yet soft. I think against Oregon State you go up you press you have great corners. Devin Kirkwood is gonna have a huge year for UCLA this year in my opinion. I think if you’re pressuring Oregon State’s receivers, you kind of keep DJ in the pocket. You focus on the running game, I think UCLA is going to shut down Oregon State in Corvallis. This a lot of game that a lot of people have UCLA losing Oregon State’s like this trendy pick this year in the Pac-12. Because they were good last year because there was a new quarterback. They have a great coaching staff. I think a lot of preseason polls housing, have them in like the 15 through 17 range. I don’t see it. I’ve got him in the 20s. I’ve got UCLA right below them. And look, UCLA is not losing to Oregon State. Okay, I think this is still big brother, little brother in the Pac-12. I know it’s the last year of this. But there’s got to be some pride at UCLA you cannot be losing to a team like Oregon State, even if they’re a great program this year or improving program. It’s UCLA, you cannot lose to the underdog. So I think UCLA has got to go out there in Corvallis have a statement when for me, they would jump to five and one for you they’d be 4-2 if I can do math. That’s correct. So either way, it’s a great start to the season for both of us for UCLA. But yeah, we’ll transition now to week seven, UCLA stays on the road, go over to Palo Alto, my hometown, sort of. I live about 10 minutes away from Stanford’s stadium that’s always empty, and so it’ll probably empty In week seven when UCLA travels. The last UCLA Stanford matchup, officially in the Pac-12. Stanford’s kind of had a rough go to say the least new coach in town, David Shaw, resigning, the offense has been not what it used to be used to be this, you know, top program power running game. You think about the quarterbacks that are there, these six five guys, they are big arms, they can run the ball play action tight ends everywhere. But in recent years, it just hasn’t worked. It’s like the it feels like they’re a little bit outdated in terms of college football nowadays. I have UCLA winning keeping a solid win streak after the Utah loss I assume you do as well. What’s your score prediction for that?
JN: I do have usually winning actually have this as their biggest win of the season. A bit of a blow out here, I’ve usually winning 52 to 10. This is going to be I think, a big scoring one for UCLA. I’ll tell you why. Wow. As Gavin mentioned, Stanford’s really struggled these past two years, the Pac-12 After some really dominant teams early 2000 10s. I mean, they’ve been three and nine, these past few seasons, just consistently terrible. And one of the worst teams, the Pac-12 They might be the Pac-12 very worst team this season, I said probably happening, just because with the new leadership, Troy Taylor, I mean, David Shaw stepping down is I guess, honorable considering the way this team was going the way he was going. I think he realized it was time for some new leadership that things weren’t working. But for Stanford, just there’s a lot of transfers out going, that’s not gonna help them at all. It’s an absolute mess, that offensive line, there’s just no one there who I really see making a big impact. Also lots of uncertainty at quarterback running back, obviously, to the most critical positions for an offense trying to establish itself under a new leader. And just they were so terrible last year, and I don’t see them bringing back anyone that’s going to make a big difference for him this year. I don’t see anything on the roster that would say otherwise. And yeah, as I said, I think this could be a real opportunity for UCLA to put up some big numbers on Stanford after a couple weird loss to Stanford, especially the one in 2020. But yeah, I think this is a big one for UCLA.
GC: I was nervous because I have it 42-21 I thought some people were going to look at me like that was crazy. 52-10 You said?
JN: I did.
GC: Okay. I mean, hey, if I wouldn’t be shocked, but just add a little bit more context about UCLA versus Stanford in recent years. From 2009 to 2018. UCLA lost 11 straight matchups against Stanford. Hit dear to home for me growing up in the Bay Area. And just hearing Stanford fans nonstop talked about how they would always beat UCLA 11 straight times in recent times UCLA’s won three of the last four. David Shaw, obviously not there anymore. So it’s a whole new picture. There’s a chance David Shaw is going to be somewhere at UCLA is coaching staff. There’s rumors about that this week, when we’re recording but yeah, like I said, we said it a couple times now Stanford, not the old Stanford so UCLA gets another win for me. They jumped to six and one for you. They are four and two no five, it’s I can’t do math, five and two. So very strong start keeping going out to week eight, you say finally comes back home after I say finally but two games on the road. There’ll be at the Rose Bowl hosting a very Hollywood-esque Colorado program that gets all this buzz. Primetime Deion Sanders in the building. I’ve never seen so many people leave a program so many people come into a program total reboot make sense. They’ve been awful the past few years. They needed a reboot. Where do we start with this team? I don’t know. They have very talented players Travis Hunter coming in. One of the most talented players in the country like it’s so weird. This is a team that’s going to have like their four string corner is going to be a high school level level player but they’re like starting corner is like one of the best in the country. It’s like the team doesn’t make sense. We’ll see what Deion’s son can do at quarterback. But I think UCLA’s lucky to get Colorado in week eight when by this point the huge issue with the Buffaloes is their their depth right you know they’ve got a good starting lineup. But because of all the transfers because of everybody leaving there’s no depth. And so by week eight, there’s going to be some injuries. There’s going to be some issues in terms of who’s starting, who’s coming off the bench and all that. And so I think by week eight, this Colorado team could be having some sort of downfall. I’ve got UCLA winning this one pretty big as well. They’re at home. I just think UCLA at home is there just their money for something about recently kinda like UCLA basketball a little bit? I have it 49-21 So I’ve got an even bigger win than against Stanford, I think. I don’t know if so we’ll see what this this Deion Sanders experiment is like, but I’m not. I’m not really expecting much in year one from from Colorado. What about you?
JN: I’m going a little bit of a different direction. Not that I’m saying there’s gonna be an upset.
GC: I thought it was another Washington State.
JN: No, not quite yet. But I do have UCLA winning 38-35 think it’s to be much closer affair than some people think. Of course, as you said, this is a team that has so much hype during the season that everyone was laughing at the scene last season one and 11, maybe the worst team in all of college football last year. And now everyone’s eyes are on Colorado football, and they want to see what’s gonna happen with Coach Prime, what’s gonna happen with Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter, all these hugely, really talented guys coming in with a huge influx of talent experience that they already have in college football. Of course, Pac-12 is a whole different animal than the previous team. But I think that at the same time, with all the hype going on, there’s also a lot of people who aren’t really realizing that this like I said, this is a team that 1-11 last year. Like this team is gonna have some growing pains as they start to rebuild this culture. Of course, they have the right man for the job. They have the right players coming in. But the question is, how much can they win with all that new pieces and so much leaving because there’s virtually especially on defense? Virtually no returners, and that’s where I think it’s gonna hurt them the most. Of course, on offense you’re gonna have, like I said, one of the best, we’re at least one of the most iconic duos in the Pac-12. With Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter coming in, who plays quarterback and wide receiver he bit of money proves to work for Coach Prime over at its previous team and back here at Colorado, he’ll probably be splitting the two duties as well. But yeah, I think that we will see some growing pains for Colorado this season, I think they might do enough, just get a winning season, it could go really either way. I think we could be winning team, they’ll be losing team, definitely not going to be like a one to 11 like eight to like four turnaround or something like that. I don’t think I think it’s going to be a lot more tame than people think. But like I said, I do have UCLA winning this one and what could be a little bit of a shootout considering these offenses in the way they’re gonna be going at each other, especially with the weapons that Colorado is bringing in with weapons that UCLA’s bringing in through the portal. So yeah, a little closer affair than I think people might expect.
GC: That’s fair. Yeah, I think And just to clarify, there’s nothing wrong with the hire. Primetime, I think it’s great for Colorado, there was a lack of energy around the program. And obviously, he got some big name transfers. It’s just going to take time, all right. Football team is not 11 guys on offense 11 guys on defense, you need a full roster, and they have the furthest thing from a full roster. It’s going to take some time. So I’m going to the Big 12 will be really interesting. But for now, we’re worried about UCLA versus Colorado. We both got UCLA winning. So if I can do this correctly, I’ve got UCLA at seven and one, and you’ve got them at six and two. So we go to week nine UCLA travels to Tucson Jack’s smiling already. I don’t know if this is another upset for Jack. Last year. We know what happened. UCLA lost to Arizona in what was an epic game. I will say that being at the Rose Bowl. That was an unbelievable game back and forth. Jayden de Laura. I know there’s some stuff around his name. We’re not going to get into that. But in terms of visibility as a quarterback, I think he’s really exciting. runs around in the backfield like Kyler Murray kind of reminds me of Kyler a little bit. He had really good weapons last year, like really, really good. He did lose a few of those, especially Dorian Singer transferring over to USC. That’s a huge loss for Arizona because it’s a pretty pass happy team. Pretty as an understatement a very pass happy team. Dorian Singer’s a great ride receiver, a big part of that team, so losing him is going to be a big issue for them. And we’ll actually we’ll ask Jack who he is winning this game first because yeah, go ahead.
JN: Yeah, as funny as it would be to pick UCLA to lose this one given what happened last season. And trust me I know because I was in the back of the endzone when I went there was a streaking Jake Bobo, and DTR throws a pass and it just misses Jake Bobo’s his hand. I remember that it’s ingrained in my memory that was wild. But I do have UCLA winning this 31-14. I think Arizona does deserve a good bit of credit for the amount of rebuilding they’ve done that a Jedd Fisch. I mean, they were 1-11 in 2021 five and seven last season. So they certainly are on an upward trajectory here. But I think just with some of the turnover, like you said, especially on the offense, losing some of those key weapons is really going to hurt them. Of course, Jayden de Laura fit really well into that offense last season. I see him doing the same thing this season. Um, he still got the Jacob Cowing as the wide receiver. Is that coming back so that’s going to be huge. Yeah, great. One of the best players last season projects to be one of their better players this season as well. So they already have a good connection going there and offense there’ll be a huge source of scoring for them. But defense was where there was a lot of concerns for Arizona last season and the same case is going to play out I think this season as well. I mean, there’s they desperately need more pressure up front better coverage in the secondary, there’s just a lot of holes there where UCLA can really make them and really hurt them. And so I think UCLA gonna attack them deeper things can be a big passing game for us to like come kind of using Arizona zone, you know, a little magic against them a little bit here. Um, and yeah, I think there’s also a game where you can kind of see the backfield kind of come into its own a little bit. And we haven’t really talked about too much yet. But there’s a lot of interesting stories with us, like backfill, of course, you have Carson Steele and his alligator pet going to the UCLA offense. But yes, and then TJ Harden, of course, had a bit of a breakout against car last season. So we’re excited to see what he does with UCLA. Now he might be the number one option, we’ll see if that’s him, or Carson Steele. And so I think they’re gonna be some some good running options that you say can run in this one, and we’ll see what happens but I do think UCLA is gonna win.
GC: I’m smiling, but I’m still gonna pick UCLA to win. I was really really tempted to have them loose back to back games, Tucson another under estimated atmosphere or another, you know, people forget how difficult it is to play at Tucson when there’s hype around the program. I feel like last year was a solid season for the program. There’ll be some buzz around the team. The stadium will be maybe three quarters full. But I’m calling it right now. This is the J.Michael Sturdivant breakout game. I know it’s a little late in the season of a breakout game a week nine. I’m not saying he’s not going to be great throughout the season. I think he’s i i think he’s the most talented receiver that UCLA has had in the past 10 years. I don’t think it’s really that much of a debate. You talked about some of the receivers UCLA’s had. I mean, Jake Bobo love the guys in the NFL just caught a touchdown for the Seahawks in the preseason. You think about, you know, Kyle Phillips, solid slot guy. These are, you know, productive players in recent times, even going back to like Jordan Lasley, Thomas Duarte, kind of a tight end, Jordan Payton, there has been good guys at UCLA and the receiving corps. But J.Michael Sturdivant he’s different than, he’s different. He’s tall, he’s lanky, he’s strong. Still, he’s quick. You know, he played well for Cal against UCLA last season. But his game against Oregon, if you watch some of the catches, he made for Cal in that game kind of showed why. You know, he was a very attractive player to get in the transfer portal. So I think him coming over from Cal, very talented receiver. You talked about Arizona being weak in the secondary. I think this is the game where he just explodes. I’m talking like 200 yards type of game. And I think that’ll be enough. I have another very, very, very high scoring game. All this talk about D’Anton Lynn the new defensive coordinator, we’ll see what he does in this game because this was a game last year that people wanted, like the former defensive coordinator, the defensive staff out after that Arizona law, so we’ll see if D’Anton Lynn could do better but I’ve got UCLA 42-35. So I mean, they just keep winning in my schedule eight and one for me, seven and two for you. So you know, very strong season we can we’ll speed it up a little bit. Arizona State. Back to our back to the Rose Bowl, hosting a new coach for Arizona State and Kenny Dillingham coming over was the offensive coordinator at Oregon many give him a lot of credit for sort of helping Bo Nix breakout and finally have that Bo Nix season that people have been waiting for with the Oregon Ducks but now he’s the head coach of Arizona state. And I’ll go this the game I have UCLA losing. It’s a crazy call. I know. I I don’t know. I just think eight and one, especially if it’s Dante Moore the talk is going to be crazy around this team. We all say that ULCA has that one game that they lose. And I just think there’s a it’s so coin toss like, UCLA is a way better team than Arizona state like way better. But I was in Tempe last year. UCLA blew the Sun Devils out in the first half. They got a little bit cocky. Arizona State came all the way back and almost won that game arguably should have won that game. And so I think if there’s a little bit too much buzz around this team, I wouldn’t be surprised if this is the game that the Bruins lose. I literally walked into this building today 50/50 on if I had the winning and we’ll make it interesting. I say UCLA loses to Arizona State we’ll say 42-32. A tough loss for UCLA for sure on my end, but I’m sure you don’t have the same.
JN: Well Gavin believe it or not we are on the same wavelength because I have Arizona State winning this one too. I have 40-28. Believe it or not I had it written this morning before you even came to the office. I’ll tell you why. That’s crazy, right. Yeah. But I think even going back to last season before last because as you mentioned last season, it was a little bit of a scare for the Bruins there they were up so big on Arizona State and just got so so cocky as you said and clearly Arizona State was just had scoring at will that game the second half. But before that in 2021 last time Sun Devils were at the Rose Bowl for all the Bruins. I can’t really score exactly, but it was not close. I was there for that. I remember that game. Arizona State historically has played well at the Rose Bowl where I’ve seen and so I think one thing keep an eye on with Arizona State is their quarterback race. They’ve got a couple of candidates going on there. I think Trenton Bourguet from last season. Got some good stability there. You should flash some towel but they also have Drew Pyne coming from Notre Dame he’s got some talent as well as the big time recruits Jalen Rashada who was formerly Miami recruit, I believe one of the top three quarterbacks in the class of 2023. So they’ve got some exciting options their quarterback I think if one of those three guys kind of stands out or the seasonally stick with them and he really gets comfortable in that offense, then they can really scare this Bruins team I think it rose bowl and ultimately pull off the upset. That’s possible.
GC: That’s wild. Did not see that coming at all at all. You know when he pulled out the Washington State, we all joke UCLA has to have that one game that no one expects him to lose. But he has two Washington State and Arizona State both at the Rose Bowl to that’s pretty two losses to two bottom half teams in the conference. If that happens heads will roll in Westwood that would be crazy. That’s a crazy call from you. I have UCLA eight and two at this point. You have them at seven and three which is you know, it’s still respectable. We transitioned now to the Big Dawg USC at the Coliseum, Lincoln Riley, Caleb Williams, we know what happened last year at the Rose Bowl back and forth. DTR very hot, very cold interceptions, epic touchdowns, Zach Charbonnet, Kaz Allen, all that good stuff. We’ll go to you first UCLA do they overcome a loss to Arizona State to beat USC at the Coliseum?
JN: This is the big one, isn’t it? Yeah, this is the big one. This is the one that UCLA fans will have circled on the calendar of course higher you’re waiting for it. And every year finally arrives.
GC: The last one in the Pac-12 as well. I know that the rivalry will of course live on in the Big 10. But it’s the last Pac-12 USC-UCLA.
JN: Its historic its a big night for the conference to be a lot riding on this, on both teams probably at this point in the season. And I have USC winning 38 to 31. And another close affair. I will say that game I went to last season was one of the best college football games I’ve ever seen ever. Like that was it was a shootout but it was thrilling. It was entertaining, crushing for UCLA fans thrilling for USC fans out of all the it was like the most it’s almost sold out at the Rose Bowl think it might have been sold out actually.
GC: An asterisk sell out. They did have the banners still covering half the stadium, which don’t get me started with that they could have they could have filled the Rose Bowl. Okay, they could have filled all 90,000 plus, they definitely could. Yeah, I don’t know what UCLA was thinking with that. But yes, it was still sold out in that regard.
JN: Yeah, it and it just I guess moving into this season. I mean, we’ve talked about Caleb Williams, I mean, everyone’s talking about Caleb Williams. He’s the best player in college football. There’s no question. He’s going to be the same guy this year. I don’t see anything changing. I mean, as you mentioned earlier, I mean, he’s losing Jordan Addison, Travis Dye as well. So those are two big losses for him, obviously. But I mean, when you have a guy like Caleb Williams offense who’s just so, such a good player, and so much talent, and it’s just it doesn’t really matter who you put around that guy, he’s gonna find a way to succeed is gonna find ways to put up numbers, and he definitely will season. I think he has a chance to be a back to back Heisman winner. It’s possible I could see it happening barring some emerging quarterback or a really good season from somewhere else. But I think that definitely Caleb Williams is ultimately going to be a little too much for this UCLA team and what would be hopefully a thrilling game because the last rivalry game as you said, the Pac-12 should be a great one.
GC: Put the camera on me. We have cameras now so we can do this. Look at me. Here we go. Look at me. UCLA’s losing. I’m sorry. Caleb Williams is he’s amazing. And I’ve been made fun of in this office so many times for how much I praise Caleb Williams while standing on UCLA campus, but I’m sorry. He is Patrick Mahomes 2.0 not to point out he’s not better than Patrick Mahomes. He’s the college Patrick Mahomes. Enough of the Drake. Drake Maye is great. Jordan Travis at Florida State. They’re going to surprise a lot of people. All right, we’ll see what happens with Sam Hartman at Notre Dame. Caleb Williams is the best quarterback in the country. It’s not close. People can’t throw like him. All right, 80 yards down the field on the run running out. Come on. Don’t waste your time. UCLA they’re going to be great this year. The defense is going to be better. It’s going to be a great matchup if it’s Dante Moore versus Caleb Williams. The athleticism in that game the playmaking that game is going to be entertaining. But it’s Caleb Williams, I don’t think USC is losing more than one game this season. I you know, a lot of people will be mad at me for saying this. But USC is a fantastic team, they’re finally getting a little bit better in terms of their depth defensively. The transfer, like I said of Dorian Singer from Arizona to the USC receiving core, they also in addition to him, I think Mario Williams is gonna have a better year this year. He came over from Oklahoma last year and kind of had a shaky year. I think he’s going to be good replacing Jordan Addison. The offense is too much. I’ve got it. Another I feel like I’ve said this score 20 times 49-42 USC beats UCLA at the Coliseum. So for me, UCLA falls to eight and three for you it’s seven and four, which that would be a big problem seven and four. But we’ve got one more game, it’s Cal. A lot of people in the UCLA and Cal atmosphere, whatever you want to call it, Twitter, especially are going to circle this game just because of how much these schools suddenly aid each other. With UCLA leaving the Pac-12 The whole UC regents thing, UCLA now giving Cal charity money because why? I don’t know. But we’ll keep it simple Cal’s not good. They’re really bad. When Colorado was the worst team in the country last year, who was the only team they beat? Cal. Alright? Cal, they’re not it. It’s at the Rose Bowl, Cal’s not going to do anything to use let the Rose Bowl, especially if UCLA is coming off a loss to USC, especially if UCLA is coming off two losses in a row like we both have Arizona State and USC no chance that they lose three in a row to Cal. Do you have anything to add? I mean, UCLA is winning this game, right?
JN: Yeah, I have them winning. I mean, if they lose us, it’ll be a disaster of a season for Bruins, at least by my calculations, it’ll be seven and five. That’d be that’d be lower than the floor that I think many people have set for the Bruins for the season. But yeah, I have them winning 24 to 10. I think it’d be closer than then it should be. I mean, they we know how the game went last season, they went to Cal and they just kind of played against themselves the entire game, essentially. I mean, Cal, as you said, it’s not a good team. They’re not any better this season. And they’ll have turnover at the quarterback position. I mean, Jake Plummer is gone. I think they have Sam Jackson from TCU coming in. So I mean, it might inject a little bit of excitement for the fan base, but like Cal football is dying, it has been for some time now. And I’ll just, this will be a little cherry on top for UCLA fans and be like, Alright, we are, you know, definitively better than Cal as we head to the Big 10 and they figure out what the heck they’re doing with their football program.
GC: Yeah, who knows? They might be preparing for a little Mountain West trip after after that loss. But um, yeah, that’ll do it. I guess for me that has UCLA at nine and three, which that’s kind of the number I had months ago. I think that’s the most common number that people are predicting nine wins for UCLA, they can make a 10. If they get a bowl game win, that would be their first 10 win season since 2014. You would have them at eight and four. Right? I mean, if they’re 8-4, is that is that a successful season for UCLA? Or? No?
JN: I don’t think so. I mean, especially with what you said about the whole, you know, nine three, a lot of people are tossing around 10 And two, two, like that’s very realistic possibility some games go their way. I mean, obviously, you get the game against USC is going to be critical. And some other games against Utah, of course, opening the season conference play against Utah is also going to be critical. So it’s going to be about how to set the tone go into conference play, and if they can continue that. And I think yeah, I think 8-4 if they get off on the wrong foot, and maybe string some wins together. I think you’re in there. But if they still are the same kind of UCLA team that will give up a weird weird loss in the middle of the season, maybe even to my my, my calculations. But I think 8-4 is a very realistic possibility.
GC: All right, well, there you have it. Eight and 408. We didn’t give scores, what’s the Cal score?
JN: 24 and 10. I did.
GC: Oh, you got to 24 to 10. Okay, I don’t have it that close. That’s interesting. I have it at 34 to 14. So yeah, I don’t think it’s gonna be close. But alright, now that we’ve done it, there should be a graphic on the screen something like that hopefully with our final predictions for the season eight and four for Jack nine and three for me, respectable for sure for UCLA in their last season in the Pac-12. But yeah, that’ll do it for our first episode of the season. Football is coming up. You know, we’ve got a game in less than a month, so make sure you’re staying locked with everything Daily Bruin. You can follow Jack on his Twitter. We’ll have it linked in the YouTube description mine as well. Thank you so much for watching. Thank you so much for listening. And we’re gonna have a great year here. So make sure you guys stay tuned. Thank you.
Out of Bounds is brought to you by the Daily Bruin, UCLA’s student run newspaper. You can listen to this episode and others on Spotify, SoundCloud and Apple Podcasts, and the transcript will be available at dailybruin.com. Also, check out the YouTube channel Daily Bruin.
Comments are closed.