UCLA @ Brigham Young preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 19, 2015 ) Brigham Young 23, UCLA 24

UCLA returns to BYU on Saturday for the first time since a 59-0 drubbing in 2008, the Bruins' worst loss since 1929. Like that season, when UCLA opened with an overtime win against a ranked Tennessee team then fell apart against the Cougars, the Bruins have been inconsistent this campaign, losing their opener in overtime at Texas A&M two weeks ago, then playing somewhat better in a 42-21 victory last weekend over visiting UNLV.

UCLA received some great news earlier this week when coach Jim Mora said defense tackle Eddie Vanderdoes was good to go against the Cougars after leaving the UNLV game with a strained right knee. Vanderdoes, who suffered a torn ACL in his left knee early last season, is a key figure up front for the Bruins as they allowed 175 rushing yards against UNLV and 203 versus Texas A&M. UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen also will look for continued improvement after bouncing back from his three-interception game against Texas A&M by playing turnover-free versus UNLV. The Cougars have been tough on opposing quarterbacks thus far, intercepting five passes through the first two games, but they'll be without starting defensive backs Kai Nacua and Austin McChesney in the first half, as they were penalized for targeting against Utah last week and ejected from the contest.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, ESPN2. LINE: UCLA -3.5

ABOUT UCLA (1-1): The Bruins also expect to have defensive end Takkarist McKinley back after he missed the UNLV game with a groin injury. UCLA will need to be better at getting the defense off the field after UNLV managed to convert 8-of-15 third-down opportunities. Getting pressure on 26-year-old quarterback Taysom Hill will be one of the challenges for the Bruins, as he's been sacked just three times this season.

ABOUT BYU (1-1): The Cougars likely will try to get plenty of carries for running back Jamaal Williams, who rushed for 162 yards on 29 carries in the 18-16 season-opening win against Arizona but ran just 12 times for 58 yards in the 20-19 loss last weekend at Utah. Williams is a downhill-type runner with deceptive elusiveness, evident by the 12 tackles he dodged against Arizona. The Bruins can't afford to lose containment on Hill either, as he's averaging 5.2 yards on his 24 carries this season.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Cougars' 59-0 triumph over UCLA in 2008 remains the largest margin of victory in NCAA history by a non-power five conference team against a power five foe.

2. UCLA has rushed for at least one touchdown in 16 straight games.

3. BYU punter Jonny Linehan is averaging 42.5 yards per punt and has landed three of 11 inside the 20-yard line.

PREDICTION: BYU 24, UCLA 21