New Mexico State @ UCLA preview

After scoring 38 consecutive points to beat Nebraska 41-21 last week, 15th-ranked UCLA returns home Saturday to face winless New Mexico State. The Bruins are 42-point favorites over the Aggies, who have lost their first three games by a 93 combined points. “You could understand how there could be a hangover for some of our kids, but we can’t let that happen, not if we’re going to be the kind of team we want to be,” said UCLA coach Jim Mora.

UCLA should have little trouble with the rebuilding Aggies, who are allowing an average of 47.3 points and scoring 16.3 per game under first-year coach Doug Martin. Bruins sophomore quarterback Brett Hundley entered the Heisman Trophy discussion with his play last week when he threw for 294 yards and three touchdowns and rushed 19 times for 61 yards. Senior linebacker Anthony Barr had a career-high 11 tackles for UCLA, which is seeking its second straight 3-0 start.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network. LINE: UCLA -42

ABOUT NEW MEXICO STATE (0-3): The Aggies were tied with UTEP at 21 midway through the third quarter last week before allowing the Miners to pull away with 21 unanswered points. Running back Brandon Betancourt had three receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown for New Mexico State, which is playing as an independent this season before joining the Sun Belt Conference next year. The Aggies’ strength is their offensive line, led junior center Valerian Ume-Ezeoke and left tackle Davonte Wallace.

ABOUT UCLA (2-0): The Bruins’ emotional win at Nebraska came six days after the death of wide receiver Nick Pasquale, who was killed when he was struck by a vehicle. Junior running back Jordon James rushed for more than 100 yards for the second straight game for the Bruins, who are wearing No. 36 patches on their jerseys in memory of Pasquale. UCLA has four sacks in its first two games, and the defense held the vaunted Nebraska rushing attack to 128 yards on the ground last week.

EXTRA POINTS

1. UCLA has outscored its opponents 72-7 in the second half of its first two games.

2. New Mexico State is 12-59 all-time against Pac-12 teams.

3. The Bruins have won 12 of their last 13 games when limiting opponents to less than 100 rushing yards.

PREDICTION: UCLA 48, New Mexico State 7