After a bye week, UCLA is looking to bounce back from its 6–55 loss to Indiana. Interim HC Tim Skipper now faces a Nebraska team coming off a narrow defeat to USC. Unfortunately for HC Matt Rhule, QB Dylan Raiola will miss the game after suffering a broken fibula. That leaves a true freshman to step in, a development that could make things very interesting for Skipper and the Bruins.

Dylan Raiola’s injury in the third quarter was a major setback for Matt Rhule. With the game going neck to neck, Rhule turned to true freshman QB TJ Lateef. Lateef completed 5 of 7 passes for 7 yards and showcased his dual-threat ability, adding 18 yards on six carries. Although Nebraska ultimately lost the game, it was a sign that Lateef can become a central piece of the Nebraska offense moving forward. This development could also catch Tim Skipper’s UCLA off guard, as the Bruins had prepared for a very different QB.

“We know we’re going to get some unscouted looks, unscouted plays. I’m sure there are things he does well that they’re going to want to do that they haven’t really shown. He’s had to do the game plan and scheming that they had up for Dylan and his reps. So, we’ll have to adjust as the game goes.” Time Skipper said on the

Tim Skipper also asserted that he has videos of Lateef from high school and this season. Skipper and his team plan on studying the tapes to better understand Lateef’s tendencies. But why is Tim Skipper so worried about Lateef when the starting QB is injured? Skipper believes that the new age of QBs has certain sets of skills that cannot be underestimated.

“With all these quarterbacks nowadays, they’re all athletic, and he’s very athletic. So, you just need to see what kind of plays they’re going to do, how they’re going to move the pocket, things like that. And we’re going to have to adjust to it.” Skipper expressed. This puts QB Nico Iamaleava and others on alert about the potential threat that Lateef carries.

Tim Skipper vs Matt Rhule: Who comes out on top on Saturday?

A B1G battle is brewing on Saturday between UCLA and Nebraska. Both teams are fighting it out for a finish in the top ten of the conference. UCLA has had its fair share of troubles this season, like going 0-3 and sacking Deshaun Foster. The Bruins have been unable to replicate their last season’s form, having a 3-5 record in the current one.

On the other side, Nebraska has had a fairly better record this season. However, with a 3–3 record in Big Ten play, they sit just below UCLA in the standings. And troubles seem to come their way, now that they have lost Dylan Raiola. So with TJ Lateef at the center, Matt Rhule’s side will go to the Rose Bowl, aiming for a much-needed win.

The Huskers come in as a 1.5-point favorite in the matchup. Who do you think will come out on top? Share your thoughts in the comments.