UCLA Football: 3 bold predictions for Week 5 battle with Colorado

Colorado football is 3-1 after its “we back” season in 2016. The Buffs head to Los Angeles to face 2-2 UCLA football and here are some bold predictions.

Colorado started 3-0 but dropped a big game against the Washington Huskies a week ago. The Buffaloes, who had dominated their first three opponents defensively, gave up 37 points in a 27-point loss. Colorado coach Mike MacIntyre has used a process focusing on defense and strong quarterback play to return the Buffaloes to respectability.

The S&P+ rankings have the Buffs ranked 50th (57th on offense and third on defense) while UCLA is ranked 41st (15th on offense and 84th on defense). We’re going to find out how close the margin for error is in a matchup like this, and if offense or defense wins out in a Pac-12 game.

The Pac-12 has been an offensive conference, although not quite to the level of the Big 12, for a few years now. This change was ushered in by the Oregon Ducks and has continued to spread through the conference into high-scoring USC, Washington and Washington State. But the Buffs are from a different Pac-12 era. One that pushed for lower scoring contests that made Rose Bowl viewers proud.

UCLA head coach Jim Mora is on a rather steamy hot seat after the Bruins dropped two in a row, one to Memphis and last week to Stanford. Mora has been attempting to outscore everyone on the schedule and while it worked in the miracle comeback against Texas A&M — it has failed him in the past two contests.

Josh Rosen is a legit NFL prospect at quarterback but the defense has all but given up on assisting Mr. Rosen to success. He has thrown for 1,763 yards and 16 touchdowns with only four interceptions in this young season. He’s added another score on the ground as well.

Here are my three bold predictions for the Colorado Buffaloes at the UCLA Bruins.