BYU football game day

UCLA (1-0, 0-0) at BYU (2-0, 0-0)

Sunny. Highs near 80.

Today, 1:30 p.m. — Edwards Stadium (64,045) — natural grass — Provo

TV: Versus — Radio: 1160AM, 102.7FM

THE STAKES

For UCLA ... New coach Rick Neuheisel is looking to restore glory to UCLA. To start the season with back-to-back wins over nationally ranked opponents would be a huge boost for the Bruins in that rebuilding process.

For BYU ... The Cougars, who are looking for their second victory over a Pac-10 opponent in two weeks, are putting their 12-game winning streak on the line as well as a No. 18 national ranking. A loss would be a big blow to their BCS hopes.

THE TRENDS

For BYU ... The Cougars have won four of their last five games against Pac-10 foes, but they have never beaten UCLA in Provo (0-3).

For UCLA ... Before falling to the Cougars in last year's Las Vegas Bowl, the Bruins had won seven consecutive games over BYU.

THE EDGE

UCLA will win if ... the defense forces BYU turnovers, applies pressure to Max Hall, contains Cougar running back Harvey Unga, and if the Bruin offense can victimize a mistake-prone BYU secondary.

BYU will win if ... the offense is able to protect Hall, avoid turnovers and find success inside the "blue zone." They'll need to score much more than 17 points to beat the Bruins this time.

For BYU: Linebacker Vic So'oto is out for 4-8 weeks after breaking his foot against Washington. For UCLA: Running back Kahlil Bell has a high ankle sprain and is not expected to play today.

NEXT UP

The Cougars stay home on Sept. 20 to open the MWC season in LaVell Edwards Stadium against Wyoming at 1 p.m.

PLAYER TO WATCH

KEVIN CRAFT, UCLA QB: Craft overcame a four-interception first half to lead the Bruins to a home victory over then-No. 18 Tennessee in the season-opener. He passed for 193 yards and directed two fourth-quarter touchdown drives in the second half.

KEY MATCHUP

BYU's offense vs. UCLA's defense: The Cougars didn't have much success getting into the end zone against the Bruins in two meetings last year. BYU scored just 17 points in each game and UCLA held the Cougars to a mere 78 yards rushing in those two games.

NEXT UP: BYU hosts Wyoming on Sept. 20 in its MWC opener. UCLA hosts Arizona in its Pac-10 opener.