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UCLA Football: 5 reasons the Bruins will beat Stanford

By Connor Muldowney

PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 03: Josh Rosen #3 of the UCLA Bruins passes the ball during the second half of a game against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl on September 3, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 03: Josh Rosen #3 of the UCLA Bruins passes the ball during the second half of a game against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl on September 3, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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UCLA football has a tough matchup forthcoming with Stanford and here’s why the Bruins will bounce back with a win to start Pac-12 play.

It’s been an up-and-down season for UCLA football. The Bruins opened the year with one of the worst first halves in recent memory under Jim Mora, falling behind 37-10 and allowing another touchdown in the third quarter to Texas A&M to fall behind 44-10.

The Bruins came back to win and then won the next game, easily, against Hawaii to improve to 2-0 and jump into the AP Top 25. However, a loss to Memphis on the road in Week 3 ended any hope for a potential surprise playoff push.

Everyone is back to writing off the Bruins as Pac-12 contenders, but a win on Saturday over Stanford could surely change things.

Here’s why the Bruins can and will beat Stanford on Saturday night.

5. Embarrassment of riches in the passing game

Josh Rosen has a ton of talent to throw to in the passing game. From top to bottom, the Bruins are stacked at receiver and tight end. Just look at the stat sheet and you’ll realize the Bruins have an embarrassment of riches.

Darren Andrews has become one of the best pass-catchers in the Pac-12, accounting for 409 yards and six touchdowns on 26 receptions. Sophomore tight end Caleb Wilson, a former walk-on at USC, is two games removed from a 15-catch, 208-yard performance against the Aggies and has 280 yards and a touchdown on 21 catches this year.

Junior wide out Jordan Lasley has been solid this season, catching eight passes for 162 yards and two scores and Theo Howard is one of three receivers with 10-plus receptions. In fact, he has 13 catches for 175 yards and two touchdowns.

The talent doesn’t stop there, though. Ten other players have caught at least one pass and seven have at least two. This team is loaded with talent in the passing game, led by Rosen.

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