(first published on KLAC's Bruins Board website --- 10/7/09)
At 4-1 overall, with a 2-0 mark in Pac-10 play, there's no doubt first-year head coach Chip Kelly has Oregon football headed the right way. Four straight wins since an opening night loss at Boise State (something about LeGarrette Blount throwing a punch?) have pushed UO to #13 in the national polls. But Jeremiah Masoli, Oregon's do-everything playmaker at quarterback, injured his knee in last weekend's win over Washington State. He'll likely miss the Bruins game, giving backup Nate Costa a chance for his first career start.
How he fares against a UCLA defense that is one of the tops in the country will be a huge determiner of the outcome in this one. But it's not all about Oregon's QB situation; the Bruins have been forced to shuffle the deck there as well. Starter Kevin Prince had his jaw fractured in last month's win over Tennesee. He missed two games, and while senior backup Kevin Craft played well in his stead, it's likely that Rick Neuheisel will turn back to his redshirt freshman for Saturday afternoon's game.
The clash of tailbacks will focus on UCLA's Jonathan Franklin, who seems to run harder with every game, and Oregon's breakout back LaMichael James, who's averaging more than six yards per carry.
UCLA hasn't beaten a ranked opponent yet this year, and it's probably not happening at the Rose Bowl this weekend.
Prediction: Oregon 20 - UCLA 13
-JAB
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