Purdue (1-1) at UCLA (2-0)
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Rose Bowl
TV/Radio: Big Ten Network/790 AM
Line: UCLA by 14
Injury report
UCLA: OUT: DB Tao Johnson (undisclosed), WR Mikey Matthews (undisclosed), WR Jonah Smith (undisclosed), DB Joshua Dixon (undisclosed), DB Jamier Johnson (undisclosed), OL Sam Yoon (undisclosed), OL Mack Indestad (undisclosed); DOUBTFUL: TE Josh Phifer (undisclosed), DB Jhase McMillan (undisclosed), WR Aidan Mizell (undisclosed); PROBABLE: OLB Ryan McCulloch (undisclosed).
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Purdue: OUT: DB Mister Clark (undisclosed), DB Raderrion Daniels (undisclosed), TE Kylan Fox (undisclosed); DOUBTFUL: OL Joey Tanona (undisclosed); QUESTIONABLE: DB Elo Modozie (undisclosed).
What’s at stake? After rallying back from a couple of slow starts in each of their first two games, the Bruins are looking to put together a complete performance in their Big Ten opener. A 3-0 start could ignite the fan base to levels that haven’t been seen in years. To that, the last time the Bruins started 3-0, that 2023 season wound up being the last one of Chip Kelly’s tenure as head coach. The Bruins need all the momentum they can get with games against Maryland and Oregon on the horizon. Coming off a double-overtime loss to Wake Forest, the Boilermakers need a bounce-back performance against UCLA. Otherwise, Purdue’s season could spiral into another sub-.500 campaign.
Who’s better? Both teams added upwards of 40 players to their rosters over the offseason, but the Bruins have the talent edge in this one. UCLA’s defense has faced more talented offensive units in their previous two games. Its offense must shake off its first-half sputters, but UCLA should have another productive day in all three phases of the game. Purdue’s defense is prone to giving up chunk plays in the run game, so it could be another big day for the Bruins’ ground attack.
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Matchup to watch: UCLA’s run game vs. Purdue’s front seven. Despite having a quarterback like Nico Iamaleava who can do virtually anything on the field, the Bruins have formed their offensive identity around a powerful rush attack. Wayne Knight, Anthony Woods and Jaivian Thomas give defenses fits with their physicality and explosiveness on the ground. Throw in Iamaleava, who ran 13 times in the win over San Diego State, and UCLA has four players who pose solid threats in the backfield.
UCLA wins if: The Bruins can produce points in the first half. UCLA coach Bob Chesney knows how to get the most out of his squad in the second half of games – 49 of the Bruins’ 73 points this season have come int he third and fourth quarters. If the offense can supplement the defense with some first-half points, it will allow Chesney and offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy to dictate the flow of the game in the second half.
Prediction: UCLA 31, Purdue 14. A late kickoff combined with the hot start for the Bruins means that it could be a rowdy atmosphere at the Rose Bowl. UCLA will finally get the start it’s been looking for offensively. Purdue scores a couple of late touchdowns to make the game seem closer than it is, but UCLA should have no problems putting the Boilermakers away.
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