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UCLA Football: 5 bold predictions for the Bruins in 2017

By Matthew Bartlett

PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 24: UCLA Bruins prepare to walk on to the field befoe the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Rose Bowl on September 24, 2016 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 24: UCLA Bruins prepare to walk on to the field befoe the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Rose Bowl on September 24, 2016 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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UCLA football is coming off a disappointing 4-8 record in 2016. What does this season hold for the Bruins? Here are five bold predictions for UCLA in 2017.

It’s difficult to project what this UCLA team is going to be in 2017. The Saturday Blitz staff tabbed the Bruins to finish third in the PAC-12 South, just behind the Utah Utes and the USC Trojans. They could be due for a resurgent year, but another year never the bottom of the division doesn’t seem out of the question.

Bruin’s coach Jim Mora had his worst season in Los Angeles last year. That low floor could mean there’s nowhere to go but up for UCLA in 2017. There are plenty of reasons for optimism, highlighted by stud quarterback Josh Rosen. He, alongside a veteran receiving corps, should prove to be able to go toe-to-toe most offenses in the PAC-12.

First Rosen will be out to prove he’s the best quarterback in southern California. The media hype has skewed lately towards USC passer Sam Darnold. Their matchup in the Rose Bowl on Nov. 18 is one that fans of both schools will have circled on their calendar. The PAC-12 South title could very well be hanging in the balance.

Those are all pieces of the puzzle. There are games to be played. The further we progress into the season the better we’ll understand just how good this UCLA team could be. Given what we know right now, here are five bold predictions for the 2017 season.

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