UCLA Football: Staff predictions vs. California Golden Bears

The last game of the UCLA football team’s season is upon us as Chip Kelly’s team takes on the California Golden Bears.

The UCLA football team has had a really interesting ride here in 2019. At some points throughout the season, UCLA looked like it did not even belong to be a Division 1 team and then at other points it appeared as if the team had finally put it all together.

They enjoyed one of the greatest comebacks in NCAA football history against a ranked Washington State but then were also humiliated by a ranked Oklahoma. They lost a lot, they won three games in a row at one point and they fell to their crosstown rivals by a wide margin.

No matter what happens on Saturday the Bruins are going to finish with a losing record, making it the fourth season in a row with an overall losing record. However, they could break the same trend with their PAC-12 record, as a win on Saturday puts them at 5-4 in PAC-12 play.

Here is how UCLA’s final game of the season will go down, according to the LA Sports Hub staff.

Jamaal Artis (10-8): 24-14, California

The UCLA Bruins have nothing to play for except for pride. They finish off their season against in-state rivals the Cal Bears.

The big matchup will be the Bruins offense against the Bears defense. If Dorian Thompson-Robinson is able to play that gives the Bruins a better chance. If he is out thanks to an injury in their game against USC then the Bruins May find it difficult to move the ball.

The Bears’ Evan Weaver leads the nation in tackles (164) and will pose the biggest problem to the Bruin offense.

Hil Lopez (10-9): 27-23, UCLA

UCLA looks to end a season on the high note after losing 52-35 to rival USC. The Cal Bears present a formidable test to the Bruins in what will be a tightly fought game. The Bruins’ Chip Kelly needs to win this game to salvage the season and leave a good impression with hopes to keep his job. Luckily, this game is at home.

Redan Lopez (14-6): 35-32, UCLA

The Bruins are looking to finish their season strong after two late-season losses to the Utah Utes and fellow crosstown rival USC Trojans. No doubt this season has been a disappointing one as Chip Kelly was looked upon to take this football program forward; sadly, it has not turned out that way. The Bruins still have a long way to return to a top-tier team

.I do think they will win this Saturday though. The Golden Bears have feasted on the bottom feeders in Stanford and Washington State in terms of their conference record and are not much better than the Bruins. Overall, both teams are not very good defensively and this game looks to who has the more firepower will win.

UCLA QB Dorian-Thompson Robinson has nearly twice as many passing yards (2,423) as California QB Chase Garbers (1,270). The Bruins also have a strong running game led by Joshua Kelly, who is expected to eclipse the 1,000 rushing yard mark.

The Bruins should have more than enough to throw at the Golden Bears and should be able to pull out a close win. The Bruins defense will bend, but not break in the later stages of the 4th quarter.

Jason Reed (11-9): 30-28, UCLA

The UCLA football team has had an up and down season thus far in Chip Kelly’s second year as head coach and I think this game will perfectly illustrate that. Like the entire season, this game will be a back and forth contest where no team gets the upper hand.

With their home-field advantage, the Bruins will get the ball late looking to score and take the lead. With a winning conference record hanging in the balance, the Bruins will drive downfield and nail the game-winning field goal.

It will be a positive way to end what has been an interesting season and will at least have the fans looking forward to watching the UCLA football team next season.