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1. DIFFERENT LOOK

All eyes will be on Rhett Rodriguez, the son of former UA coach Rich Rodriguez. Kevin Sumlin decided it was in Khalil Tate’s best interest — and the team’s — to sit him this week so his ankle finally could heal. We also might see Jamarye Joiner and/or Kevin Doyle at quarterback, but RhettRod will start and try to put his stamp on the program his father built. Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, the team RichRod left behind is thin along the offensive line. That has been a significant problem for the Wildcats in every game except two (Southern Utah and Oregon State … the outliers). A healthy Tate could have mitigated that with his legs, but we seldom saw the healthy, cocksure Tate from 2017 before his ankle sent him to the sideline. Rhett Rodriguez will try to compensate in a different way: By throwing the ball on time. You won’t see a lot of improvisation from Rodriguez. You will see the ball coming out of his hand as soon as his left foot hits the ground. Making quick, correct decisions is how he’ll make up for his athletic shortcomings — and those of his beleaguered blockers.

2. NO MORE HALF-MEASURES

Which UA defense will show up? And when? Just when it seemed as if the unit was rounding into form, it took a significant step backward against Utah. Unlike the previous two weeks, by the time the Wildcats made some adjustments, it was far too late. (One could argue it was too late against USC as well, but at least ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ rallied to within a score.) Even in the games in which the Wildcats have played well, they’ve struggled in first halves. Cal quarterback/turnover machine Brandon McIlwain did most of his damage before intermission. USC had a 17-0 halftime lead. It’s difficult for any quarterback, let alone a first-time starter, to rally from double-digit deficit, regardless of the venue. Although UA defenders insisted the QB change changes nothing for them, something does have to change. The Wildcats defense needs to be the one setting the tone, not the other way around. UCLA is coming in on a high; the last thing ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ needs is to give up a long drive or a big play early to get the Bruins’ homecoming crowd going. Playing from ahead flips the pressure to the other sideline. The UA defense must do its part.

3. UNDERDOGS?!?

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ opened as a 5.5-point underdog — not a hugely surprising development despite UCLA having only one win. The line had swelled to 10 as of this writing. Is Vegas trying to draw money on the Wildcats? Or is the perceived drop-off from Tate to Rodriguez that severe? If it’s the latter, it might be an overreaction; it’s not as if Tate was playing like the Tate of 2017. Regardless, the line should serve as some semblance of motivation for an ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ team that could use some. The embarrassment of last week’s game at Utah should provide some inspiration as well. If that isn’t enough, the Wildcats are fully aware of the consequences should they lose: They’d fall to 3-5 with Justin Herbert and Oregon coming to ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ next week. Any margin for error for making a bowl game would be gone. History isn’t on ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s side tonight: The Wildcats have lost three straight at the Rose Bowl, and only one of them was remotely competitive — a 17-7 loss in 2014 in which ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ failed to score after the first quarter and got outgained 460-255.

FINAL SCORE: UCLA 30, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ 27

PREVIEW LINKS:

• Game advance: RhettRod experience isn’t unprecedented; it happened four years ago at UCLA
• Greg Hansen: ‘Mr. Football’ on rock bottom, the Mora mistake, RichRod's recruiting
• UA-UCLA storylines: On defensive struggles, bright spots and Chipping away
• Video: UA teammates on RhettRod's arm, football mind