UCLA finally gets ranked ... they face Utah and Oregon in successive weeks though.
The strange feeling that the Pac 12 is playing Big Boy College football in October. Not only were five teams ranked going into this past weekend – USC, UCLA, Oregon, Utah, and Washington – but most were the traditional conference powers with both of the LA schools undefeated.
With all that said #18 UCLA’s methodical home win over a dependably sturdier #11 Utah felt like watching the type of top ranked matchup usually delivered by the SEC or Big Ten, and to date is the most impressive win of Chip Kelly’s tenure. If you're a Bruins fan there's a lot of positive signs to take away:
-UCLA’s playmakers broke open plays all game
-QB Thompson (passing for 18/23 299 yds 4 TDs) looked the part of a legitimate Heisman contender
-RB Zach Charbonnet rushing for 198 yds on 22 carries
-8 different WRs contributed with catches
-Bruins offense strung together long, calculated drives matching how Utah’s offense overpowers lesser opponents
-UCLA never allowed Utah to fully establish momentum by 4 different times answering a Utah FG (1) or TD (3) with a TD of their own, which all four times put the Bruins up by either 10 or 11 until pulling away in the 4th with a 42-25 lead
-UCLA made sure Utah paid for their 2 turnovers; one an interception in the end zone and the second run back to the Utes’ 1 yd line and setting up a TD that put the game out of reach for Utah, 42-25
Next up for #11 UCLA (6-0) is #12 Oregon (5-1) in Eugene with #7 USC their only ranked opponent left.
https://twitter.com/TPortalCFB/status/1578878174506590209