On paper this appears to be an intriguing matchup, but definitely have to give the aggies the edge at college station on several accounts.
1. Every time I watch one of those left coast games, there is no inside pressure and receivers have 15 steps on an open field slant pattern (except Stanford). Sure when the bowl season rolls around after the SEC has beat up on each other all season and the injury roster is loaded; a different outcome might be achieved.
However, every time one of these "off brand" schools try and flex in an opener against a mid-tier of top-tier SEC team, they get smashed. I'm not saying that the QB for the Bruins is garbage, but stats don't translate across conference early season, and it's hard to complete a pass on your back.
2. Don't be disillusioned, college station is top 10 in terms of atmosphere. That place sits in a bowl down there, and football is king. Not only do I consider them to be in the golden triangle of college recruitment, I think you have to add a couple of points for the venue (3).
3. Texans are tired of immigration from California. They are transplanting in droves and bring their liberal ideology to the great repub of texas. 90% of my family lives in Texas, and they are sick of it. They voted for all the government abuse in unfair taxation and liberal agenda over there in lower cali, and then bail? Furthermore, they try and instill similar in the towns they infiltrate.
4. For the most part, UCLA doesn't play many opponents with a defense. This might be the toughest defense they face all year. As previously stated, stats are meaningless when you play a soft schedule. The aggies will be disruptive before the bruin is able to get off the bus - that's a fact jack.
In closing, I think UCLA will have a good go of it this year; but this is probably a scheduling boo-boo to start the season. Watch for what you ask for, you just might get it. The aggies will be chomping at the bit, and Rosen won't have the left coast luxury to make it look easy.
As the game wears on, the aggies will drive it home and separate by 10 before final whistle, imo. I will be looking for a fairly high scoring affair, and when the dust settles, something like a 38-28 aggie victory. GL