As the final month of the season arrives, the UCLA Bruins come in at a crossroads. After a promising 5-0 start to the season, they've dropped back-to-back games against Oregon and Stanford, two teams the Bruins were expected to compete with for a bid to the Rose Bowl.
How to watch Colorado vs. UCLA: Preview, TV schedule, odds and more
The Bruins look to halt their two-game losing streak as they welcome in Colorado.
Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
On Saturday, UCLA will have a chance to get back on track against Colorado. The Buffaloes are showing signs of improvement from last year, but this is a team with a long ways to go before they’re competing regularly in the Pac-12 South.
The numbers
Rankings and records: UCLA comes in ranked 20th in the latest BCS standings. Now one game back of Arizona State in the Pac-12 South, the Bruins really need to get back to doing what they do best if they’re going to win the division for the second year in a row.
The Buffaloes have dropped four of their last five games, and they’re coming off a rough Homecoming loss to Arizona last week. A win would turn their season around and give them an outside shot at making a bowl game.
Vegas: The Bruins opened as 24-point favorites, though most lines have moved up a few points since earlier in the week. The over/under opened at 58.
Weather: It should be a beautiful night for football in L.A. with clear skies and temperatures in the mid-60s at kickoff.
Three names to know
Brett Hundley: Hundley, a redshirt sophomore, has heard his name mentioned as a possible No. 1 draft pick candidate in recent months. He's struggled badly in recent weeks, but he has a big arm and can burn defenses with his feet, too.
Anthony Barr: UCLA’s senior linebacker is one of the best in the country, recording six sacks and 39 tackles through the first seven games of the season.
Paul Richardson: Richardson is CU's biggest threat down the field, leading the Buffs with 50 receptions, 914 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Colorado will look to get him the ball early and often.
Two things at stake
UCLA still has a shot to play in the Pac-12 Championship Game. The Bruins have some work to do, but fortunately their schedule turns a bit more favorable in November. They won’t want to come out flat and not take the Buffaloes seriously, but this should be a golden opportunity for Jim Mora’s bunch to bounce back at home.
A win for Colorado would be the biggest of Mike MacIntyre’s short tenure in Boulder. it would also give the Buffs four wins this season, which means a bowl game would be within reach. They’ll come in as heavy underdogs, but CU will have a chance on Saturday if they’re able to limit turnovers and catch a couple of lucky breaks.
How to witness
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1 (Craig Bolerjack, Joey Harrington, Ryan Nece)
Further reading
For more on this game, be sure to check out Bruins Nation, The Ralphie Report and Pacific Takes.
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