UCLA comes into this game well-rested and amply prepared. They had a bye last week and opened the season with a dominant 58-20 blowout of Nevada. Coming off a strong freshman season, Bruin quarterback Brett Hundley made sure to open his next one off right, going 22-of-33 passing for 274 yards and 2 touchdowns.
How to watch UCLA vs. Nebraska 2013: Preview, TV schedule, odds and more
Two ranked teams meet in Lincoln. One will leave with a win.
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After a worrisome performance against Wyoming, Nebraska looked much better in week two against Southern Mississippi, blowing them out 56-13. They picked off Southern Mississippi four times, and returned two for scores. It’s that defense that will need to show up if they want to beat UCLA -- not the one that gave up 600 yards and 34 points to Wyoming.
The numbers
Rankings and records: No. 16 UCLA and No. 23 Nebraska meet in this one, a rematch from last season. Nebraska leads the series between these two teams 6-5, although it lost at the Rose Bowl in 2012.
Three names to know
Nick Pasquale (UCLA receiver) - Pasquale, a walk-on his teammates referred to as “Pacman”, was killed earlier this week after being struck by a passing car in his hometown. He will undoubtedly be on the mind of his teammates heading into this one.
Jordon James (UCLA running back) - James got the first crack at replacing Johnathan Franklin and did just fine against Nevada, rushing for 155 yards and a touchdown. He’ll face a largely unremarkable Nebraska defense -- the Cornhuskers rank 57th in the country against the run.
Terrell Newby (Nebraska running back) - Still a freshman, Newby might not be as well-known as teammates Taylor Martinez or Kenny Bell, but he has seen the field a decent amount so far for the Cornhuskers, and interestingly, UCLA was heavily in contention for his services up until his final commitment.
Two things at stake
UCLA will provide Nebraska’s stiffest competition so far, though, and the Cornhuskers will be looking to avenge their loss from last season -- a loss in which they allowed over 650 yards to the Bruins. Home games with San Diego State and Purdue follow this one.
Nebraska represents UCLA’s first major test this season -- and with a trio of unranked opponents to follow, possibly their last one before a showdown with No. 5 Stanford next month. UCLA was 4-2 in road games last season.
How to witness
TV: 12:00 PM ET (9AM PT) ABC
Radio: Sirius/XM 91, Husker Sports Network.
Further reading
The home of UCLA is Bruins Nation. For the Cornhuskers, you want a nation of another kind -- Corn Nation.
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