UCLA Football: Way-too-early 2020 game-by-game predictions

5 of 7

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – NOVEMBER 16: Hauati Pututau #41 of the Utah Utes tries to break through the line of the UCLA Bruins at Rice-Eccles Stadium on November 16, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images) /

Gone is Mel Tucker, but Colorado’s hope for the future remains strong. Did things get a little murkier with the departure of the first-year head coach? Absolutely, but there’s still plenty of talent returning from a five-win team.

Unfortunately for the Buffaloes, that returning talent doesn’t include Laviska Shenault Jr. or Steven Montez. That puts an immediate damper on next season.

Colorado will be in a rough position but the Buffaloes have the home-field advantage here and have some good young players who could help them make a bowl.

Final Score: UCLA 31, Colorado 34 (5-2, 2-2)

If I were a betting man, I’d say that Utah will be the best team in the Pac-12 next season, getting a solid push from Oregon, but the Utes are bringing in Jake Bentley and already have a borderline-elite defense.

Will the losses of Tyler Huntley and Zack Moss hurt? Sure, but his team was so much more than just those two guys last season when they nearly made the playoff.

Don’t expect a UCLA upset here.

Final Score: Utah 35, UCLA 20 (5-3, 2-3)

Home/UCLA Bruins