Two of the nation’s football powerhouses may have had been disappointing in the first two weeks of the season, but they’ll get a chance to prove themselves Saturday night. No. 12 UCLA and Texas will square off in Arlington in the final non-conference game for each school.
How to watch Texas vs. UCLA: Game time, TV schedule, live online streaming and more
Which team can recover from its disappointing start faster?
New Texas head coach Charlie Strong has attempted to instill a culture change with the Longhorns, leading to a number of dismissals and suspensions. Texas actually started the season on quite a good note, beating a solid North Texas team 38-7. The next week did not work out quite so well. For the second straight year, the Longhorns were blown out by BYU, this time by a margin of 41-7 at home.
UCLA has had a disappointing season in its own right, although the team has managed to squeeze two wins out of it. Three second-quarter defensive touchdowns saved the Bruins from what otherwise would have been a disappointing opening week loss at Virginia. UCLA survived that one 28-20. In Week 2 against Memphis at home, the Tigers tied the game in the fourth quarter before Brett Hundley’s third touchdown pass of the day gave the Bruins the 42-35 win.
How to witness
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FOX
Online streaming: FOX Sports Go
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The numbers
Rankings and records: UCLA is ranked No. 12 in both the AP and Coaches polls. Texas is not ranked in either poll. The Bruins are 2-0 this season, while the Longhorns are 1-1. The all-time series between the two schools is tied at 3-3.
Vegas: UCLA opened as a 6-point favorite. The line has since moved to 7.5.
Weather forecast: 74 degrees and cloudy.
Two things at stake
Texas was embarrassed at home against BYU. The Longhorns look like a team that may have to fight for bowl eligibility, and this win would help set them back on the right track.
UCLA hasn’t exactly impressed this season, despite the two wins. The Bruins’ next game is a tough conference opener at Arizona State, and a cleaner performance is needed to help gain some momentum.
One key matchup
UCLA front seven vs. Texas offensive line. Yes, UCLA lost Anthony Barr, but is left with plenty of playmakers up front. Senior linebacker Eric Kendricks already has 26 tackles, an interception returned for a touchdown and a fumble forced on the year, while sophomore Myles Jack has 19 tackles with one for a loss and two passes broken up. Texas is looking at major offensive line issues -- center Dominic Espinosa is out indefinitely with an injury, while Strong announced that offensive tackles Desmond Harrison and Kennedy Estelle will not return from suspensions. That leaves guard Sedrick Flowers as the most experienced player on the Longhorns' line ... with three career starts.
Further reading
For more on Texas, check out Barking Carnival and Burnt Orange Nation. For UCLA coverage, head to Bruins Nation.
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