Los Angeles, CA – The Pac-12 is already off to a dismal stat with two games postponed due to COVID (Washington-Cal and Arizona-Utah). Utah also could be in serious jeopardy with reports of a potential outbreak within the team, putting their first road game against UCLA in serious trouble.
The rest of the Pac-12 has been slated to play, and UCLA-Colorado will both debut their seasons tonight at 4PM PST. Last season the Bruins took command in a 31-14 victory led by Dorian Thompson Robinson’s 226 yards and two touchdowns, along with Joshua Kelley’s 216 yards on the ground.
The last two trips to Colorado have not favored well for the Bruins, losing both contests. However, there could be a mimic to success if Thompson-Robinson can repeat the same kind of offense against Colorado’s defense that has tried to fill in holes led by new head coach Karl Dorrell. Thompson Robinson’s last start against Colorado at the Rose Bowl was favorable, starting out the game with his two lone touchdown passes of 16 and 45 yards. That put the Bruins back into the comfort zone.
The key however will be how the running game will fare now with Kelley gone. Demetric Felton will be the primary running back for the contest tonight, and this could be a game that could start off his confidence where the Buffs allowed nearly 450 yards per game defensively.
Colorado under new head coach Dorrell will also have his hands full trying to figure out who can lead his offense. Quarterback Sam Noyer gets the nod to be the week one starter. However, all of their quarterbacks combined have very little college experience with just 51 total pass attempts. They at least have receiving experience to back them up, starting with K.D. Nixon and Dimitri Stanley.
All in all, this could be a perfect game for the Bruins to start off with and go 1-0. The question will be after this week if Utah will come to Pasadena the week after. In any case, UCLA has the confidence to pull this out.