UCLA Football: 2017 Game-by-game predictions
By Zach Bigalke
Three years ago, Memphis traveled to California to face UCLA in the first-ever meeting between the two schools. The Tigers played the Bruins close, falling 42-35 in the Rose Bowl. Now, three years later, Jim Mora’s team is making the return trip to play in the Liberty Bowl against a Memphis team that will be an American Athletic Conference contender in 2017.
Last year, Memphis beat Kansas and lost at Ole Miss in their two opportunities against Power Five opponents. The Tigers ended the year 8-5 in Mike Norvell’s first year at the helm. Riley Ferguson returns this year at quarterback, along with eight other offensive starters. While the defense needs to replace five starters, they should remain a tough challenger for the Bruins.
If anything, this game could be even closer than the showdown three years ago that featured a quarterback duel between Paxton Lynch and Brett Hundley. This time around, it will be Riley Ferguson trying to knock off Josh Rosen’s Bruins. Look for the two teams to trade punches as their respective defenses continue to go through September growing pains.
Efficient offenses will continue to light up the Liberty Bowl scoreboard on the third Saturday of September. Memphis will get one more touchdown than the Bruins, but UCLA will put together eight total scoring drives. The last will put sophomore placekicker J.J. Molson in position for his third field goal of the game to win the game on the final play.