Arizona @ UCLA preview

Arizona at UCLA

Last Meeting ( Oct 20, 2011 ) UCLA 12, Arizona 48

There was plenty of bad blood the last time Arizona met UCLA. The Wildcats hammered the Bruins 48-12 in the desert last season in a game marred by a wild bench-clearing brawl near the end of the first half. The embarrassment was the last straw for UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel as two players were ejected and Neuheisel was dismissed soon after. A year later, under coach Jim Mora, the Bruins are battling for the Pac-12 South Division title as they prepare to host the high-powered Wildcats on Saturday. Arizona is fourth in the NCAA in total yards and passing offense and is coming off the heels of a thrilling upset victory of nationally-ranked USC a week ago. UCLA leads the all-time series against Arizona, but hasn’t beaten the Wildcats since 2006.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Networks. LINE: UCLA -3.5

ABOUT ARIZONA (5-3, 2-3 Pac-12): Quarterback Matt Scott is expected to play after sustaining concussion-like symptoms late in last week’s 39-36 win over USC. Scott was seen vomiting on the sidelines after taking a blow to the head late in the contest. Scott, however, returned to the field and threw what proved to be the game-winning touchdown pass. After throwing his final pass to David Richards that extended the lead to 10 points, Scott did not return to the game and backup quarterback B.J. Denker entered for Scott, but did not attempt a pass. Scott is ranked No. 2 in the NCAA in total offense. After a three-game losing streak, the Wildcats have won two straight amidst a demanding schedule. Arizona has played five teams that were ranked in the Top 25.

ABOUT UCLA (6-2, 3-2): Averaging 33.4 points, the Bruins cranked up their offense once again in last week’s 45-43 victory at Arizona State. The Bruins’ offense is dependent on their run game and senior running back Johnathan Franklin. In its two losses, Franklin has rushed for only 147 of his 1,042 yards, but the run game is not the only thing that UCLA does well. Quarterback Brett Hundley, the son of the former Arizona defensive back of the same name, has 18 touchdown passes this season, a Bruins freshman record. Franklin needs only 20 yards to set the school’s all-time rushing record.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Both teams are receiving votes in the coaches’ poll.

2. Both teams average more than 500 yards of offense per game.

3. Franklin leads the Pac-12 in rushing and is seventh nationally. Arizona RB Ka’Deem Carey ranks 12th rushing nationally.

Prediction: UCLA 31, Arizona 28