Late start, crazy finish? Five things to watch in UCLA vs. Oregon

Tom Petty might as well have been singing about UCLA football’s final tryout when he delivered one of his most famous lines.

The waiting is the hardest part.

That lyric, written more than four decades ago in reference to an artist eager to take the stage, will also apply to the Bruins (1-2 overall, 0-1 Big Ten) on Saturday as they wait… and wait… .and they wait. an 8 p.m. PDT kickoff against No. 8 Oregon (3-0, 0-0) in the Rose Bowl.

It will be remembered as UCLA’s last West Coast start since 1990. Players can have a leisurely breakfast at their Pasadena hotel, lounge poolside and watch a full day of college football before boarding the team bus.

“Little hot tub, foam roll, but I don’t think it changes too much,” Bruins tight end Jack Pedersen said of his routine. “You just delay everything a few hours and prepare. Put on your shoes, put on your helmet and go play, you know?

Traditionally, late starts have led to strange things, sometimes favoring the underdog. But Oregon has reason to be full of confidence in what will be its first Big Ten game and its debut in “Big Ten After Dark.”

The Ducks are 4-0 under coach Dan Lanning and have won 12 straight games when they tip off at 7 p.m. Pacific Time or later. Oregon has also dominated its series against UCLA in recent years, winning the last four meetings and 10 of the last 11.

Here are four things to watch in a game that will be broadcast on Fox: