UCLA braces for first Big Ten test against Purdue

A first Big Ten test at the Rose Bowl

On Saturday, Sept. 19, the UCLA Bruins (2-0) host the Purdue Boilermakers (1-1) at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena — the first Big Ten conference game for UCLA under head coach Bob Chesney. Kickoff is set for 11 p.m. ET, broadcast on BTN. As Hammer and Rails notes, Purdue has never beaten UCLA in the all-time series (0-3-2, including two ties), and UCLA's last win in the series came on Sept. 20, 1980.

Purdue rebounding after a tough loss

Purdue lost in double overtime to Wake Forest last week, but under coach Barry Odom the team looks markedly improved. FOX Sports reports Purdue has scored more points in each of its first two games this season than in any game last year. The Boilermakers' defensive line is among the conference's best, featuring five players at least 6-foot-3, including a 301-pound nose tackle, and ranks second in the Big Ten with 17 tackles for loss.

Ijeboi and Browne step up

Running back Fame Ijeboi has rushed for 201 yards and four touchdowns this season at 5.3 yards per carry, according to the Los Angeles Times. FOX Sports, however, cites different figures tied specifically to the Wake Forest game — a career-best 27 carries for 114 rushing yards plus 42 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback Ryan Browne, who struggled last season (nine touchdowns, 10 interceptions), has passed for 646 yards and four touchdowns through two games this year, including a career-high 329 yards on more than 75% completion against Wake Forest. FOX Sports Research notes Purdue is the only team in the country with both a passer averaging over 300 yards and a rusher averaging over 100 yards per game through two weeks. Purdue has also not turned the ball over this season.

UCLA's offense and defense

UCLA's ground game has dominated so far — 277 yards and six touchdowns against Cal, and 214 yards and four scores against San Diego State. Still, Purdue's defense has held opposing starting running backs under four yards per carry and allowed just two rushing touchdowns to them. Its weak spot has been containing quarterback runs, having allowed Indiana State's and Wake Forest's quarterbacks to combine for 118 rushing yards and two touchdowns — an opening for UCLA's Nico Iamaleava. Iamaleava will have receivers Landon Ellis and Brian Rowe Jr. back, but will be without slot receiver Mikey Matthews, who suffered a lower-body injury against San Diego State.

Odds and predictions

DraftKings lists UCLA as a heavy favorite at -650, with Purdue at +470 and the spread set at UCLA -14. FOX Sports analysts, however, predict Purdue will cover the two-touchdown spread despite the more than 2,000-mile trip to California.