Well, last week was a tough one for the Horns. I am so hoping this one will be better. Like win column better. But I can't go with my heart this week. Horns 17 Bruins 23
I think your Defense will keep it close for a good while, but the offense is not good. UCLA - 31 Texas - 7
Making up for our offensive line, UCLA's line is horrible at preventing sacks and we have a good pass rush. Also, UCLA has played two poor teams and could put neither a way. We are unlikely to get blown out. But I don't think we win either. Both teams have crappy kickers so I'm predicting all touchdowns. UCLA 28 Texas 21
I expect a much better effort, yes. But not having the horses on the o-line simply won't produce enough results because the team is trying harder. If you can't run the ball and keep a defense from stopping you with a normal front while they keep safeties back, you can't expose them. A decent offense would be able to find yards in the one-on-one runs up front, then take advantage of the safeties lending run support. BYU didn't have to forfeit either. They beat us head up on the line and didn't have to take the focus away from defending the pass with help. I can't see that changing much with the same offensive players as last week. The defense will play respectably with fire and hang longer this time. But in the 4th it's simply too much to ask with bad field position. A 10-0 final quarter scoring run pulls them away late. Texas 16 UCLA 27
I have been listening to Strong prick the Horns' pride all week long per his strategy of motivating them. The UT defense will finish this game, while Watson and Wickline will find a way to stretch the Bruin defense a little bit more by taking chances with Swoopes and the new "dink and dunk" UT offense. Look for Swoopes to leave the standard pocket on more bootlegs, rollouts, etc. My heart says that Swoopes will start to settle into this offense more with a higher completion %. The X-factor are the turnovers. Longhorns 17 UCLA 14
I expect a close game. UCLA is not as potent as initially assessed. Texas still has problems on offense; if they can show some real progress tonight, they can stay in the game and have a chance to win. But I fear that they will fall a bit short in the end. Sure do hope I'm wrong, but here goes: Texas 17 UCLA 24. HHD
