UCLA Football: Non-Power Five Teams Demand Respect from Bruins

UCLA must take advantage of games they're heavy favorites in

UCLA football is on the horizon, Bruin fans. 2022 was a season to remember, and even though it didn't end how we wanted it to, it was still a season to remember. 

The Bruins will look to be even better this season, and it will all start September 2nd, at home against Coastal Carolina. It will be their first three games against non-conference Power-5 schools, and they will face them all in their first three weeks. 

Although the Bruins will be heavily favorites in all three games, it is crucial for them to take care of business and treat them with the respect they deserve. Bruins beat writer from the LA Times noted this and said it could be challenging for them if they don't take those opponents seriously. 

Don’t be fooled by the lack of a Power Five foe.

Coastal Carolina might be the best team you’ve never heard of. Based in Conway, S.C., the Chanticleers have quickly emerged as a Group of Five power since joining the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2017, going 31-7 with three bowl appearances over the last three seasons.

They also feature redshirt senior quarterback Grayson McCall, a three-time Sun Belt Conference player of the year who’s eager to join the list of gritty underdogs who have beaten UCLA at the Rose Bowl.

^{(via LA Times)}

According to Caesars Sportsbook, UCLA is favored by -16.0 in their season and home opener against Coastal Carolina. 

The Bruins will then face the San Diego State Aztecs at the Aztecs' Snapdragon Stadium. The line is out yet, but that one could be much closer than their season opener when you consider they're away, and the Aztecs are a formidable opponent. 

And before conference play, UCLA will face North Carolina Central Eagles from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. 

They must start the season 3-0, regardless of who is at quarterback. They will have the most talented in all three games, and they must play like it to get the dub. 

We can't wait to see the Bruins finally play this fall, and we expect them to take care of business early in the year.