UCLA Football: Staff predictions vs. San Diego State

After dropping the first game of the year to Cincinnati, the UCLA Football Bruins host a different Mountain West team in the San Diego State Aztecs.

For the second consecutive year, the UCLA Football Bruins opened their season against Cincinnati. And even though Cincinnati was not ranked this year as they were last year, the result was the same as the Bruins started the year 0-1.

In Week 2, the Bruins appear to have an easier game against the San Diego State Aztecs, especially with it being at the Rose Bowl. However, I would be careful of getting too optimistic, as the Aztecs are no pushover.

While the Aztecs were just 7-6 last year, they had one of the better and more athletic defenses in the nation, which could pose a problem to a struggling UCLA offense with Dorian Thompson-Robinson at the helm.

It is going to be an interesting game. Here is how the LA Sports Hub staff sees it shaping out.

Jamaal Artis (1-1): 28-17, San Diego State

Fool me once shame on me. I picked UCLA to win a road game on a Thursday, what was I thinking.

With a pedestrian showing by Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA could not get over the hump and win. I won’t be picking UCLA this time; yes, they are the home team, but with quarterback play being so bad I can not pick them again until I see that the offense has improved.

Hil Lopez (0-1): 27-17, UCLA

UCLA played a hard-fought game and played some decent defense last week in their first game against Cincinnati, even forcing some turnovers. However, their offense was not able to get enough points on the board and ended up falling 24-14 on the road.

This week, they face off against San Diego St, whom they should easily dispatch. San Diego State does not have the firepower that Cincinnati had, though they do have a pretty good defense. Still, UCLA needs to get on the board this season and they should have enough offense to defeat the Aztecs.

Redan Lopez (2-0): 28-13, UCLA

UCLA suffered its first loss of the season to Cincinnati last week, 24-14. While it was only the first game of a young season, the Bruins need to pick up the pace offensively. Specifically, their quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson needs to better.

Thompson-Robinson turned the ball over an inexcusable four times last week against Cincinnati and only completed 8 of his 26 passes. As a result, UCLA’s offense stalled most of the time it was out there.

Meanwhile, the San Diego State Aztecs captured their first win in an underwhelming 6-0 win over Weber State, with field goals coming from good field positioning thanks to special teams. The Bruins are better than Weber State though, so I anticipate this game being much more entertaining and engaging to spectators.

Neither team seems to have worked out its offensive struggles in each of their first games of the season. Expect that to happen again in the first half, though the second half should have some long drives ending in highlight-reel touchdowns.

Thompson-Robinson will bounce back from a poor performance last Saturday and lead the Bruins to victory, notching 275 yards, 3 touchdowns, and no turnovers. The young UCLA defense will step up and hold the Aztecs to 13 points. Bruins coach Chip Kelly will be rewarded for being patient with his young quarterback.

Jason Reed (2-0): 21-17, UCLA

I so wanted to go against the UCLA Football team for the second week and a row and pick San Diego State, but I simply couldn’t. While there is a path in which UCLA loses this game, I think their raw talent will allow them to edge out a not-so-impressive win.

This will be one of those wins that still leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Thompson-Robinson probably won’t be great against this defense but the running game will do enough to get the win.

I have the UCLA Football team winning this game, but if I had to bet on it, I would definitely take SDSU +8 as well as the under 51 points.

Jon Soden (0-0): 14-10, San Diego State

Upset alert—be prepared for San Diego State to take down the UCLA Bruins this Saturday.

SDSU posted a shut-out in their first game of the season against Weber State. SDSU was ranked as one of the top defenses in the nation, and on the other end, the Bruins offense is struggling.

Bruins quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson did not perform well, completing just 8-26 passes for just over 150 yards.

Even if the Bruins’ star running back Joshua Kelley returns, he may be offset by the star running back of SDSU, Juwan Washington.

Look for this to be a low scoring affair, which does not play favorably to the Bruins. In a game full of punts and ground & pound running, the Aztecs will defeat the Bruins 14-10.