Colorado (3-1) aims to rebound from its Pac-12 opening loss to Washington, but faces a stiff road test at 8:30 p.m. Saturday at UCLA (2-2). Here are five things you need to know about the Bruins.
1. Josh Rosen is a miracle man. UCLA faced a 34-point deficit late in the third quarter against Texas A&M in its season opener and the Bruins’ quarterback led five consecutive scoring drives for the wild comeback win. Rosen, a junior, has tossed 16 touchdown passes through four games while completing 65 percent of his passes. Rosen is the heartbeat of this program.
2. Jim Mora’s seat is getting hot. The Bruins enter Saturday as losers of two straight, 48-45 at Memphis and 58-34 at Stanford, creating more tension surrounding the head coach’s job security. Mora is in his sixth season. UCLA won 10 games in 2013 and 2014, but managed only four victories last fall. Expectations are high with an NFL-caliber quarterback.
3. UCLA has been sloppy. The Bruins rank among the nation’s worst teams in two distinct categories: Turnovers lost (10) and average yards penalized per game (92.5). That’s not a good combination. In its blowout defeat last week, two UCLA receivers, Theo Howard and Christian Pabico, lost fumbles, and Howard dropped a potential touchdown reception. Mistakes such as that have haunted the team.
4. The Bruins can score, and score. UCLA ranks No. 1 nationally in passing yards (1,807), No. 2 in passing touchdowns (16) and is No. 9 in scoring offense (45). Last week, the Bruins featured their first 100-yard rusher, sophomore Soso Jamabo, since 2015. UCLA also had two players gain more than 100 yards receiving. Itap likely that Vegas odds-makers opened with UCLA as a 4.5-point favorite based on its offensive firepower, plus home field advantage.
5. UCLA’s D is horrendous. The Bruins gave up a staggering 405 rushing yards against Stanford on Saturday after being torched for 398 through the air at Memphis. Their three Power 5 opponents this fall combined to score 150 points. UCLA is also dinged up with two vital defenders missing action last week: defensive end Jaelan Phillips (ankle) and linebacker Breland Brandt (concussion). If the Bruins aren’t at full strength against CU, their defense might be in for another long day.
Colorado (3-1, 0-1 Pac-12) at UCLA (2-2, 0-1 Pac-12)
When: 8:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Rose Bowl; Pasadena, Calif.
TV: ESPN 2
Radio: KDSP-AM 760, KOA-AM 850 (joined in progress)