JUST IN: UCLA vs Rutgers Showdown: Game Preview, and Bold Predictions.

UCLA fought hard against Minnesota but fell short in a 21-17 loss, extending its losing streak to five games after a strong season-opening win over Hawaii. The outlook for the remainder of the season, particularly in the Big Ten, looks bleak. Now, the Bruins face the challenge of traveling across the country to take on a Rutgers team looking to recover after being blown out by Wisconsin. The Scarlet Knights are struggling to score, and their chances of reaching six wins and earning a bowl game spot will be nearly impossible if they lose this matchup.

UCLA vs Rutgers Preview

UCLA vs Rutgers: How to Watch

Date: Saturday, October 19, 2024
Game Time: 12:00 PM ET
Venue: SHI Stadium, Piscataway, NJ
How to Watch: FS1
Records: Rutgers (4-2), UCLA (1-5)
Week 8 Schedule & Predictions

Why UCLA Will Win

UCLA’s running game has struggled, failing to reach 100 yards on the ground this season, but the passing attack has shown promise. When the air game clicks, positive results follow. Quarterback Ethan Garbers, after missing the Penn State game, returned and completed 69% of his passes for 293 yards and a touchdown. He also threw for 281 yards in the competitive loss to LSU and 272 yards in the win over Hawaii.

Rutgers boasts a solid defense, but they were just run over by Wisconsin for 240 rushing yards, and Washington racked up 314 passing yards against them. If UCLA’s passing game can capitalize, they might be able to break their losing streak.

Why Rutgers Will Win

Ethan Garbers has been decent for the Bruins in terms of yardage, but turnovers are a major issue. He’s thrown nine interceptions this season, including two against Oregon and three against Minnesota, with at least one pick in every game. Rutgers, on the other hand, has managed to grab at least one interception in every game except their win over Washington.

For Rutgers, the key is simple: convert on third downs. They’re 4-0 when converting 47% or more of their third-down attempts, but 0-2 when falling below 30%. Converting those chances will be critical for their success.

UCLA vs Rutgers: Who Will Win

UCLA is struggling mightily on third downs, ranking last in the nation by allowing opponents to convert 57% of their attempts. After back-to-back losses and only scoring seven points in each game, Rutgers will likely keep things simple: run the ball, play solid defense, control the clock, and rely on UCLA to falter in crucial moments.

This game is expected to be a tough, low-scoring affair, and Rutgers tends to perform well when it’s not a back-and-forth shootout. They’ll aim to grind out a win by controlling the pace and limiting UCLA’s opportunities.