3 hardest games on UCLA Football’s 2023 schedule

UCLA football is looking to build on last season’s success and here are the three most difficult games upcoming for the Bruins in 2023. 

The UCLA football team lost some of its top players to the NFL in the draft, led by former star running back Zach Charbonnet or former starting QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

It’s always difficult to replace pieces like that, but the good news is that Chip Kelly has ramped up recruiting and was able to add another solid class in the transfer portal.

Heck, the 2023 haul wasn’t bad either, especially after five-star QB Dante Moore decided to flip his commitment from the Oregon Ducks to the Bruins.

Collin Schlee is another big addition at quarterback and armed with one of the top QBs in the portal and the 2023 class, here’s a look at the three hardest games for UCLA football in 2023.

3. UCLA football at Oregon State (Oct. 14)

The schedule for UCLA is fairly easy. There are three difficult road games and nine other games the Bruins should probably win.

One of those road tests will be against Oregon State. The Beavers won 10 games last season and landed former five-star QB DJ Uiagalelei, who could help the Beavers be even better on offense.

For the Bruins, if they want to contend in the Pac-12, this will be a good test and a key game. If the Bruins are going to be an elite team in the league, these are the kinds of games they need to win.

2. UCLA football at Utah (Sept. 23)

Not only is Utah expected to be really good once again with the return of starting quarterback Cameron Rising and what should be a stellar defense, as always, under Kyle Whittingham.

But the Utes will also remember the 10-point loss to UCLA last season. It was one of the biggest wins of the Chip Kelly era. UCLA can split between OSU and the Utes, but they need one to contend for the Pac-12 title at the end of the season and this will be the tougher of the two.

1. UCLA at USC (Nov. 18)

Bruins fans know the toughest game on the schedule is crosstown rival USC. The Trojans look every bit like a national title contender, especially after making some major additions in the spring transfer portal window to fortify the offensive and defensive lines.

UCLA wasn’t up to the challenge of beating the Trojans last season and it’s hard to see UCLA being the team in the Pac-12 to knock off mighty Troy. But that’s why you play the games.