UCLA Football: 3 bowl game possibilities for the Bruins
By Zach Bigalke
1. Cactus Bowl (Chase Field/Phoenix, Ariz. vs. Big 12)
Despite a 6-6 record, UCLA would be an attractive invite for many bowl games. One in particular that could be in play is the Cactus Bowl, which pits a Pac-12 team against a Big 12 opponent. The Bruins have never played in the game, which moved back to Chase Field in 2016 from its previous location at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe.
UCLA has never played at the ballpark that houses the Arizona Diamondbacks. It is always a little strange seeing football played at a baseball-specific venue, but the Cactus Bowl has featured some solid matchups in recent years. There will be other Pac-12 teams gunning for the spot, including Oregon and both Arizona schools. Even so, there is a strong possibility that the Cactus Bowl committee settles on UCLA as its invite for this year’s contest.
It would make sense from an entertainment standpoint, especially against a team like Iowa State or Texas Tech. The Bruins have never played in the Cactus Bowl in any of its incarnations, making them even likelier to get the call from the selectors this season. Whoever they might be matched against, it would provide a winnable situation for a team hoping to close out 2017 strong.