UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen (3) throws against Washington in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
UCLA needs this one.
The Bruins (4-5, 2-4 Pac-12) can’t afford any slip-ups at home for the rest of the year, needing two wins in the final three weeks of the regular season to secure bowl eligibility. They’re undefeated at home, but Arizona State doesn’t look like the other struggling teams that have entered the Rose Bowl this year. The four teams UCLA has faced at home this season have a combined 18-20 record. ASU (5-4, 4-2 Pac-12) is coming off a comeback win in which it rushed for 381 yards.
Quarterback Josh Rosen is expected to return, giving the struggling UCLA offense a boost after losing its leading receiver last week.
The game starts at 6:30 p.m. on Pac-12 Networks.
Links to your pregame reading:
- Despite negativity surrounding the UCLA program, Kenny Young tries to stay positive
- Scouting report with my prediction
- Pregame graph: Where are the injuries most evident?
- From earlier this week:
- Times are dark for the Bruins and their dawn seems to get further and further away with every injury-riddled week
- UCLA was without Rosen for six quarters and can’t wait to get him back
- Even if Rosen returns, who is he supposed to throw the ball to?
- UCLA had five decommits in a week. Was it a big deal?
- Something in the Rose Bowl makes the UCLA defense play a little better. It’ll need that magic pill again Saturday.
- Questions to your answers this week
- From the San Jose Mercury News: An investigation into UCLA’s historically bad rushing defense
- On Arizona State (from the Arizona Republic)
- ASU cornerback Chase Lucas‘ mom stopped him from committing to UCLA and now the redshirt freshman wants to hang another L on the Bruins.
- The Sun Devils, like the Bruins, are on their third offensive coordinator in three years and Billy Napier wants to make the most of his second chance