The UCLA Bruins find themselves ranked No. 10 in the country, and they'll get their first test of the season on Saturday when the No. 19 BYU Cougars come to town. Here are three reasons why UCLA will continue their undefeated season and beat BYU:
3) Dominant defense
UCLA's offense may get the headlines, but their defense has been lethal so far this year. They rank 11th in the country in scoring defense, allowing just 9.5 points per game, and have only given up one touchdown in two games.The secondary has some questions when it comes to the team's depth at cornerback, but other than that the defense is STACKED. Linebacker Myles Jack is now the de facto leader of a defense that may be young in key areas, but they've shown they have the talent to make up for their lack of experience.
2) BYU's magic has to end at some point
BYU is 2-0 thanks to a last-second Hail Mary to beat Nebraska and another long TD pass to beat Boise State will just seconds remaining. It's been a great storyline, but it's overshadowed the fact that this team isn't all their stacked up to be. They rank just 81st in the country in total defense and 55th in total offense, neither of which are anything to write home about.
Quarterback Tanner Mangum has thrown two interceptions to just three touchdown passes (two of which were the two game-winning prayers), and they average just over 100 yards rushing per game. Simply put, they just don't have the talent to compete with a team as good as UCLA.
1) Josh Rosen
There's a reason why one unnamed coach has gone so far as to call Rosen "the next Peyton Manning." He is a coach's dream -- big arm, innate instincts, and an outsized drive to compete that makes everyone around him better. Rosen has been better than advertised, throwing for 574 yards and four touchdowns and only one interception while completing 65 percent of his passes. He's shredded every defense he's faced, and there's no reason to think he'll do anything difference agaisnt BYU.
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