Oregon Football: Preseason game-by-game predictions for 2017 season
By Zach Bigalke
UCLA is a team in transition, hoping to return to bowl eligibility after suffering a similar downturn as the Ducks in 2016. Their faltering was due to injuries to Josh Rosen, and the Bruins are hoping that they can finally contend in Josh Rosen’s final season at quarterback. Jim Mora’s job could depend on whether or not Rosen remains healthy and the offense produces.
That offense will have to be quite productive, because the Bruins lost a ton of talent to the NFL from last year’s defense. New starters will have a half-season under their belt by the time UCLA welcomes Oregon to the Rose Bowl. Two teams hoping to return to bowl eligibility might very well be playing for a sixth win on this late October day in Pasadena.
UCLA will come out hot, taking advantage of the home crowd to score early. They might even take a double-digit lead at some point. But this game will probably play out similarly to the Utah road trip last year. Justin Herbert and the Ducks offense will chip away, the defense will clamp down, and the fourth quarter will be pivotal.
Most of the scoring will happen in that final frame, as Oregon takes its first lead of the game only to see UCLA respond quickly. A late drive will end in a Darren Carrington II-style touchdown catch, and the Ducks will escape Pasadena with their sixth win to ensure a return to the postseason.
FINAL: Oregon 30, UCLA 28 (6-2)