UCLA Football to Kick Off Big Ten Conference Play in Oregon

Bruins Face Ducks in Season Opener

Highly Anticipated Matchup Marks New Era for UCLA Athletics

The UCLA Bruins football team is set to embark on a new chapter in their storied history as they kick off their first season in the Big Ten Conference with a game against the Oregon Ducks on Saturday, September 2.

The move to the Big Ten marks a significant milestone for UCLA, which has spent the past 94 years in the Pac-12 Conference. The Bruins are hoping to make a splash in their new conference, and they'll have a chance to do so right away when they face a tough test against the Ducks.

Oregon is coming off a 10-4 season in which they finished third in the Pac-12 North Division. The Ducks are led by quarterback Bo Nix, who threw for 3,383 yards and 27 touchdowns last season. Nix is one of the most dynamic players in the country, and he'll be a tough challenge for the UCLA defense.

The Bruins will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing 8-4 season in 2022. Chip Kelly is entering his sixth season as head coach at UCLA, and he's hoping to lead the Bruins to their first bowl game since 2019.

The game between UCLA and Oregon is scheduled to kick off at 12:30 p.m. PT on Saturday, September 2. The game will be televised on FOX.

Key Players to Watch

UCLA

* Dorian Thompson-Robinson, quarterback * Zach Charbonnet, running back * Jake Bobo, wide receiver * Laiatu Latu, defensive lineman * Darius Muasau, linebacker

Oregon

* Bo Nix, quarterback * Troy Franklin, wide receiver * Sean Dollars, running back * Brandon Dorlus, defensive lineman * Mase Funa, linebacker

Prediction

The game between UCLA and Oregon is a toss-up. Both teams have strengths and weaknesses, and it could go either way. However, I'm going to give a slight edge to the Ducks in this one.

Oregon has a more experienced quarterback in Nix, and they also have a more talented roster overall. The Ducks are also playing at home, which gives them another advantage.

UCLA will need to play a perfect game to beat Oregon. They'll need to control the tempo of the game, and they'll need to make big plays on both offense and defense.

If UCLA can do those things, they have a chance to pull off the upset. But Oregon is the more likely winner in this one.