NFL Tickets
TV Schedule: Saturday, September 19, 10:30 p.m. ET, FOXS1
Location: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA
Line: UCLA (-16.5)
After another thrilling 4th quarter rally, the No. 19 BYU Cougars (2-0) have stepped into the role of favorites for a non-Power Five conference member making the College Football Playoff. Now, they face their toughest test of the season as they head to the Rose Bowl to try and upset the No. 10 UCLA Bruins (2-0).
BYU has turned the offense over to freshman quarterback Tanner Mangum after losing Taysom Hill in their season-opener against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Mangum came in and led a wild rally that was capped by a 44-yard Hail Mary as time expired for the 33-28 victory. Last week, Mangum showed off explosive playmaking in a back-and-forth win over the Boise State Broncos, completing 17 of 28 passes for 309 yards with two long touchdowns in a 35-24 win. His strong arm helps the Cougars stretch the field and gives BYU a chance to score from anywhere on the field at a moment’s notice.
Coming into the season, UCLA carried significant expectations to compete for a Pac-12 title and a spot in the College Football Playoff. Much of their success this season hinged on their new starting quarterback, true freshman Josh Rosen, and through two games he has risen to the challenge. So far this season, Rosen has completed 64.9 percent of his throws racking up 574 yards through the air with four touchdowns and just one interception. With a veteran offense around him and a stout defense supporting him on the other side, UCLA appears to have all the pieces in place to be a serious contender this December.
It’s a long shot for any team not in the Power Five conferences to crack into the College Football Playoff conversation but BYU has the best shot to do it in 2015. If they run the table with their daunting schedule, it will be very difficult to keep them out of the playoffs. But first, they have to get past UCLA. Do the Cougars have another magical finish in their back pocket?
Prediction: UCLA 34, BYU 17
You can follow Tyler Brett on Twitter @ATylerBrett, on Facebook and on Google.
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