Pac-12 Football: 5 most important non-conference games in 2017

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Sep 24, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) walks off the field during the second half against the Stanford Cardinal at Rose Bowl. The Stanford Cardinal won 22-13. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Texas A&M at UCLA, Sept. 3

The UCLA Bruins hope for better results in the Pac-12 in 2017. Quarterback Josh Rosen faced a bit of a sophomore slump, which ended with a shoulder injury that sideline him for six games.

Rosen returns with a renewed focus after the Bruins went 4-8 in 2016. They return nine starters on offense which should give them an edge in the experience department in the early going.

However, it hasn’t help Rosen has had three different offensive coordinators in his three seasons as starter. He’ll have a new OC for 2017 as well which could stunt his growth a bit in a pivotal point for draft season.

The Bruins dropped last season’s meeting with the Texas A&M Aggies 31-24 but opening the season with a home game should help this year’s result.

UCLA saw a lot of its top defenders like Eddie Vanderdoes and Takkarist McKinley drafted in the 2017 NFL Draft. Replacing their defensive playmakers will also go a long way in improving the outcome in 2017.

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