UCLA predictions?
 

First away game in a big game against a higher ranked opponent. My brain says UCLA 31 BYU 24, my heart says Bronco finds a way to sneak one out, say BYU 24 UCLA 21.

My concerns are offense. If we get snuffed at the line and fail to pick up sufficient downs via rushing, do we have sufficient moxey to pick up downs via the air. We will lose or make games unbearably close due to our kicking game. It appears Bronco will suffer some of Lavell's woes for not focusing upon kicking game enough.

How will defense fare if it's on the field too much.

BYU 26
UCLA 20

He's focused plenty on the kicking game. He's given scholarships to kickers, punters and snappers, solely for snapping the ball. Santiago averaged over 43 yards per punt last year. Payne was a highly touted kicker out of HS. Stephenson and Sorensen, signees for future years are extremely good place kickers.

There may be issues with the kicking game, but it's not due to a lack of effort or attention on Bronco's part.

Justin Sorenson may be a godsend, but Santiago and Payne looked awful Saturday.

4 FGs from Payne? No way.


BYU 24, UCLA 20.

Ucla 45
Byu 20

Ucla 35
Utah 13

I was thinking more along the lines of 2 missed pat's ;)

Ucla 48
By 17

no offense but BYUs defense is much better than Utahs. If UCLA scores 45 on BYU they drop 60 on Utah. Especially with your inept offense, you will give up a lot more points on D.

Ucla 28
Byu 15

only time will tell. personally, i don't know how you can conclude that after 1 game - the first game in the season no less.

I conclude that because the Utes had their D-line blown out in the last drive in the first half against OSU. Watch that game and tell me you don't see them giving up at least 3 yards or more almost every play.

Of course, one could argue this is because the Utes' offense at that point was impotent and couldn't give their defense a break. To which I would respond, so what? Defenses don't exist in a vacuum, and as long as the Utes' offense is crap, their defense will be crap as well. I will be the first to say that I think that much of our defense's success last year was due to the fact that we had an offense that had long sustained drives and was also capable of putting up enough points to put the game out of reach in a hurry.

I can conclude that also by saying that BYU only gave up 14.7 points per game last year, and they return every significant contributor besides Cam Jensen and Russell Tialavea. Utah on the other hand, has below-average linebackers, a solid d-line but a very young and inexperienced secondary (minus steve tate).

I would be willing to put money on BYU finishing the year at least 10 spots ahead of Utah in total defense.

I'll say this much. This is the first time in a lot of years going into a game like this that I felt like BYU had a good chance to pull off the upset. It's a good feeling.

Is this the official thread?

I'm saying 31-17 UCLA wins. But this way when BYU pulls off the upset, I'll enjoy eating some of the best tasting crow ever!

I think it will be closer - 24-17 UCLA. I think our offense struggles, and our defense does as good a job as you could hope. I'll gladly split the crow with you.

My brain is busy learning dead languages this week.

BYU 31
UCLA 27

I see UCLA as a top 10 team with all their returning starters and the way they finished the season. Top 10 teams don't lose at home very often--even to other top 10 teams. So it's just impossible for me to predict a victory, but I expect BYU to show well and it will be a positive learning experience.

This guy didn't mention Utah, but BYU is mentioned ;)
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/column...uce&id=3003092

That is insane. I had to double check that I was really seeing a story that included BYU as one of the top 10 defenses in the country. Time will tell, but it's fun to see.

BYU 31, UCLA 21

I hate predicting losses for BYU
 

UCLA 27 BYU 21

We have a chance, but I think the bruins will wear down our front 7 by the end of the game. I would love to stick it to Olson though.

Olsen has as much incentive to beat BYU as BYU does to beat UCLA and Olsen.

UCLA 26 BYU 17

Sorry I didn't see this thread. I wouldn't have posted my other one. I note there are some non-homers on here picking BYU so I am not the only one.

Score, let's go with 28-24 BYU.

Byu 24
Ucla 21

Byu 27
Ucla 24

Ucla 31 Byu 10.

31-16 UCLA. BYU misses a PAT, but gets a field goal.

I know that y'all are thrilled that BYU beat Arizona, and you see my Ute moniker and think oh shut up you anti-homer, but I think UCLA will expose BYU the way Boise State did Utah last year. Utah was riding a 3-game winning streak going into that game, but they hadn't seen the likes of BSU in any of those teams. This Saturday the Bruins will exploit the loss of BYU's key personnel from last season and have their way with them through three quarters.

Ok...I'm changing mine (9/6/07)

UCLA 24 - BYU 26

you know, that may happen, but it sounds like wishful thinking on your part. i'll still stand by my prediction of BYU by 3. 24-21 Cougars.

When it comes down to it, aren't all score predictions wishful thinking?

Exposed the same way?? You mean you think BYU is going to take an ass kicking.

I don't know about any earth shattering exposing, I just think UCLA is the better squad. However, I don't think the disparity between BYU and UCLA is similar to Utah versus BSU.

Plus it's a completely different thing to have your fanny exposed for all to see on the road by a top 15 team than at home in a game that is supposed to be a major "test" for the opponent.

Utah was riding a three game winning streak against #116 USU, #106 SDSU, and D1-AA Northern Arizona. You had also already been "exposed" by UCLA by that same 31-10 you predict for us. The situation could not be more different.

Call me a homer:
UCLA 13
BYU 28

Ucla 31
Byu 23