UCLA Football: Staff predictions vs. Stanford Cardinal

The UCLA Football team is taking on the Stanford Cardinal on Thursday night looking to secure its second win of the season.

The UCLA Football team’s winning ways did not continue for long. After one of the greatest comebacks in college football history against the Washington State Cougars, the Bruins have lost consecutive games against PAC-12 opponents.

After a bye week, the Bruins look to get back in the win column for only the second time this season against the Stanford Cardinal. Stanford has not been as good as advertised before the year began and lost its ranked status after losing to USC and now has a 3-3 record.

Stanford definitely is a winnable game for the Bruins but it is made harder by the fact that Stanford is at home. UCLA is heading into the game as 9.5-point underdogs, courtesy of the Action Network.

Here is how the LA Sports Hub sees the game going down.

Jamaal Artis (7-5): 30-14, Stanford

The UCLA Bruins avoided a loss last week… Mostly because they didn’t play a game, though even in a bye week, that wasn’t guaranteed. Their reprieve will be short-lived, the Bruins take on the Stanford Cardinal Thursday night in Palo Alto.

The Cardinal are coming off a big win against the Washington Huskies and despite having to start their 3rd string quarterback, it is doubtful the Bruins will win the game. Expect the Cardinal run game to punish the weak Bruins defensive line, while the Bruins offense struggles to score points.

Hil Lopez (5-6): 30-22, Stanford

UCLA is coming off a horrendous 48-31 loss against the Oregon St. Beavers at home. They look to somewhat right the ship against Stanford on the road.

Chip Kelly may be coaching for his job at this point as UCLA has a 1-5 record and has been an abomination at this point. They simply do not have any answers on offense or defense when it comes to any of their opponents. I expect the same against Stanford who is 3-3 and is trying to qualify for a bowl game this year.

Redan Lopez (6-6): 31-28, UCLA

Both UCLA and Stanford are coming off bye weeks and each one has had additional time to prepare for the other. This might be a battle of the backup QBs as UCLA’s Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Stanford’s K.J. Costello’s are questionable.

UCLA’s offense seems to have gained a footing with backup Austin Burton as the pass catchers have gained some chemistry with him. Now, if he can be protected, it will lead to an aerial assault that the Bruins are dying for. With UCLA giving up 15 sacks already this season, it’s fair to wonder if Burton will be given enough time to throw.

Cardinals’ David Mills was thrust back into the lineup against Washington 10 days ago due to Costello’s injury and showed that he is more than serviceable. UCLA should worry about his mobility as well as that of Cameron Scarlett, who had 151 yards and a touchdown against the Huskies most recently.

With the Bruins ranked eighth in the Pac-12 with 162.7 rushing yards allowed per game, this is a weakness the Cardinals will be working to expose.

Though the Bruins have lost 11 straight games against the Cardinals, I look for them to finally snap that terrible streak. The Bruins will pull a win out on the road and surprise everybody.

Jason Reed (7-5): 27-14, Stanford

Stanford should be able to run the ball all over the UCLA football team’s defense and play a definitive, controlling game in which the Bruins never really seem to have a chance.

Outside of that miraculous comeback, UCLA’s offense has been poor this year. UCLA has scored 17 or fewer points in four of their fives losses, with the 31-point showing against Oregon State is the only exception.

Stanford will score five times on three touchdowns and two field goals while the UCLA football Bruins only find the endzone twice.