UCLA VS. ALABAMA STATE: WHO HAS THE EDGE?
UCLA vs. ALABAMA STATE
When: Today, 2 p.m.
Where: Rose Bowl
TV/radio: Pac-12 Networks/1150 AM
Line: UCLA by 49 1⁄2
What's at stake?: Improvement is the key word for UCLA this week in the second of three nonconference games in which it is heavily favored. That, of course, means more than just a win over Alabama State, the first HBCU and FCS opponent the Bruins will face in their history. It's hard to pick apart much after a 45-17Week One win over Bowling Green, but UCLA could answer some questions on special teams, starting with punt returner after Jake Bobo looked shaky in his first couple of stints against Bowling Green. Nicholas Barr-Mira also missed two field goals last week. Otherwise, the Bruins will look to put the Hornets away quickly and keep dominating on both sides of the ball, after ending last week scoring the last 38 points against Bowling Green.
Who's better?: Like last week, the talent gap is much too big for this to likely be a contest. Alabama State is ranked in the top 10 out of HBCU schools this week, but it has never beaten an FBS opponent in 11 tries. The streak likely won't end against a
UCLA team that went 8-4last season and rolled past Bowling Green last week. Alabama State quarterback Dematrius Davis vs. UCLA defense. Davis is a game-time decision after hurting his shoulder last week, but could rattle a UCLA defense that is getting its bearings under new defensive coordinator Bill McGovern. Davis is a dual-threat quarterback who was buried in the depth chart at Auburn, but transferred to Alabama State for more playing time. If he is healthy, he'll look to show out on the big stage that he hoped to play on at Auburn. If the Bruins' performance resembles anything close to what they did last week. Prediction:
Matchup to watch:
UCLA wins if:
UCLA 55, Alabama State 7. The Bruins should be hosting Michigan at the Rose Bowl today, but the Wolverines backed out of a home-and-home. Instead, UCLA gets a built-in win, though the players seem excited at the chance to welcome an HBCU to the Rose Bowl for the first time. The only question for this game is when Chip Kelly decides to pull his starters, and how cool Alabama State's Mighty Marching Hornets band looks during its halftime performance.