UCLA Bruins Face Washington State in Rose Bowl Saturday, With Future of Series Uncertain

[Photo: Don Liebig/UCLA Photography]

The UCLA Bruins are preparing for a 12:00 noon kickoff this Saturday, October 7 against number 16 Washington State Cougars in the Rose Bowl.

The longstanding series between the two teams has an uncertain future, with the Bruins headed off to a diffeent league and the Cougars stuck in the dwindling Pac-12, now down to just two teams.

UCLA will join USC in heading over to the Big Ten Conference for the 2024 season.

The Cougars and Oregon State Beavers are the remaining members of the now-depleted Pac-12.

The Pac-12’s media deal with FOX and ESPN, worth $250 million per year, will expire in 2024-25

Washington State has been a member of the Pac-12 since 1962, and although they would prefer to remain a Power Five program, they are considering other options.

The Cougars boast the fifth-ranked scoring offense in the nation, while the Bruins come in close behind with the eighth-ranked offense. Experts are predicting a fierce battle, with ESPN Analytics giving UCLA a 66.3% chance of coming out on top.

Fans will have their eyes on several key players, such as UCLA’s star quarterback Dante Moore who has been impressive this season, with 849 passing yards, an average of 212.3 yards per game, a completion rate of 54.7%, and eight touchdowns. His two interceptions, however, serve as a reminder that the Cougars’ defense will be looking to exploit any weaknesses.

The Bruins rank 28th in total offense this season, but they’ve been thriving on defense, ranking eighth-best in the FBS with 456 yards allowed per game. On defense, UCLA has been a top-25 unit in terms of passing yards, ranking 25th best by giving up only 186 passing yards per game. The Bruins rank 53rd on offense.

On the other side, the Cougars are known for their potent passing game, which averages an impressive 406.0 yards per game. Their ability to move the ball will put UCLA’s defense to the test, analysts say. Cameron Ward could pose a big challenge for the Bruins. In the 2023 season, Ward has played in five games and has thrown for 1,390 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions with a quarterback rating of 86.7.