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UCLA Football: Preview, prediction, live stream vs. Oregon in Week 8

By Connor Muldowney

PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Jordan Lasley #2 and Darren Andrews #7 congratulate Austin Roberts #88 of the UCLA Bruins on his touchdown during the first half of a game against the Colorado Buffaloes at the Rose Bowl on September 30, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Jordan Lasley #2 and Darren Andrews #7 congratulate Austin Roberts #88 of the UCLA Bruins on his touchdown during the first half of a game against the Colorado Buffaloes at the Rose Bowl on September 30, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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UCLA football and Oregon will face off in Pasadena in Week 8 and here’s everything you need to know for the big Pac-12 matchup.

What should we expect from UCLA football these days? The Bruins are currently 3-3 and in danger of missing a bowl for the second straight season. They began the season on fire with a monster comeback win over Texas A&M which vaulted them into the Top 25, but they have lost three of their last four contests. Will they get back on track against Oregon?

Josh Rosen has been playing well, for the most part. He has passed for 2,354 yards and 17 touchdowns with eight interceptions. He has been considered a top quarterback in the upcoming NFL draft by just about every scout. He will need to have a big performance against Oregon on Saturday afternoon.

Oregon, on the other hand, is 4-3 on the season, but the Ducks, too, have three losses in their last four games. Willie Taggart seems to have this program headed in the right direction in his first year as head coach, replacing Mark Helfrich, but he needs to bring the Ducks to a bowl game in order for the belief from his players to pay off.

The Ducks have an issue at quarterback and that’s the fact that star sophomore Justin Herbert will be out yet again with a collarbone injury. He is the straw that stirs the offense’s drink, but he will be sidelined, allowing Royce Freeman to take over as the true leader of the offense. He could have a big day on the ground, however, as UCLA has one of the worst rush defenses in the nation.

Here’s how to watch Saturday’s UCLA vs. Oregon game:

Date: Saturday, Oct. 21
Time: 4:00 p.m. ET
Location: Pasadena, Calif.
Venue: Rose Bowl
TV: Pac-12 Network
Live Stream: Pac-12 Network Live

Keys to Victory

Getting Rosen some confidence early on will be important, but the major offensive key might be developing a run game. There is talent in the backfield, but the Bruins have yet to effectively tap into it consistently. Defensively, make Burmeister uncomfortable all day long, but also dare him to throw. Stacking the box and stopping the run should be a top priority as the Bruins’ run defense has been leaky this year. That must be fixed.

For Oregon, it will be about getting the ground game rolling and sticking with it. Braxton Burmeister isn’t going to win the game with his arm, at least not yet in his young career. That leaves Freeman to do the dirty work. He’s going to need a 150-yard showing with a couple of touchdown runs. Defensively, the obvious key is to hold Rosen in check. He can, and will, beat you with his arm if you allow it. Oregon needs to stick to the Bruin receivers like glue.

Next: NFL Mock Draft 2018: Complete first round after Week 7

Prediction

UCLA is slightly favored in this one at the Rose Bowl, and that’s exactly how it’ll play out. It’ll be a back-and-forth affair, with Josh Rosen getting the final laugh on a game-winning drive in the final minutes. He will finish with over 300 yards, but will be rivaled as the game’s top performer with Royce Freeman who pushes 200 yards and a couple of scores. It will be an instant classic.

Final Score: Oregon 30, UCLA 35

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