How to watch UCLA vs. Virginia: Preview, TV schedule, odds, more

Jim Mora’s UCLA squad took a sizable step from year one to year two, going from nine wins to 10 and finishing the season ranked in the Top 25. Could they take another step this year? The Bruins are considered a dark horse in the College Football Playoff, and a relatively easy Pac-12 schedule combined with a deep offensive line and two star players in Brett Hundley and Myles Jack could find UCLA as a breakout team come November.

Virginia is not widely considered to be a “daunting” part of the schedule, but the Cavaliers certainly have the talent to improve on their recent struggles. Head coach Mike London has picked up at least two blue-chip recruits in each of his last four recruiting classes, including a pair of five-star true freshmen in defensive tackle Andrew Brown and safety Quin Blanding. The influx of talent has not yet turned to wins -- London is 18-31 in his time with the Cavaliers -- and this could the head coach’s last shot at finding success with the school.

TV: 12 p.m. ET, ESPN

Radio: Here’s a list of affiliates for Virginia. Here’s one for UCLA.

Online streaming: WatchESPN

Rankings and records: UCLA is ranked No. 7 in both the Coaches and AP Polls. Virginia is unranked in both polls. This is the first game of the season for both teams.

Vegas: UCLA is favored by 21.5 points, after starting the week as 24-point favorites. The over/under is 57.5 points.

Weather forecast: High 80s and partly cloudy.

Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA. Entering his third year as the Bruins’ starter, the junior’s experience matches up with just about any quarterback in the country. He totaled 36 touchdowns last season (slightly below his 38 as a freshman), and is a multifaceted threat -- 24 came through the air, 11 on the ground and one on a reception.

Myles Jack, RB/LB, UCLA. Hundley may be multifaceted, but he’s nowhere near the level of UCLA’s star sophomore. Jack saw significant time at both running back and linebacker last season, rushing for seven touchdowns while recording 76 tackles with seven for a loss (and an interception returned for a touchdown).

Eli Harold, DE, Virginia. One of the nation’s top defensive linemen, Harold is one of the number of blue-chip prospects London has brought in to the program in his time. The top-rated player in the state of Virginia in 2012, Harold recorded 15 tackles for a loss with 8.5 sacks in 2013 -- both team highs.

UCLA can’t afford to slip up against a team like Virginia, and will be expected to record blowout wins in each of its first two games (Memphis is next). After that, a tough date with Texas could be a litmus test for the season.

Virginia desperately needs to start off on the right track, and a good showing against the Bruins could go a long way towards a bowl berth.

For more UCLA coverage, visit Bruins Nation. For more on the Cavaliers, visit Streaking the Lawn.