UCLA Football: 2017 Game-by-game predictions
By Zach Bigalke
Colorado is the defending Pac-12 South champion after surprising the field to snatch the division in 2016. The Buffaloes took down UCLA 20-10 in Boulder on the way to Santa Clara and the Pac-12 championship game. It was a sloppy win, as Sefo Liufau and Steven Montez combined for three interceptions and no touchdowns.
For Montez, it was an especially rough game in relief of Liufau. He threw one incomplete pass, and completed one pass to Shay Fields for 17 yards. His third pass was an interception snatched by Randall Goforth. He showed promise at times last season, but the Bruins will have a much more seasoned quarterback in what will likely be another close contest.
The key for UCLA will be getting its running game going. Last season, the Bruins posted just 25 total yards on 30 carries against the Buffaloes. That will not cut it if the Bruins hope to knock off the defending division champions and reinsert themselves into this year’s Pac-12 discussion.
Rosen will once again play an efficient game as UCLA moves to 4-1 on the season. Thanks to five Saturdays in the month, the Bruins will match last year’s win total before the end of September. Colorado is due for some regression this season, and UCLA will get fewer turnovers on defense but will capitalize better on their own chances offensively.