Here’s how UCLA and Brigham Young match up

UCLA (1-1) vs. Brigham Young (1-1) at LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, Utah. TV: ESPN2, 7:15 p.m. PDT

Most intriguing story line: As a prelude to its showdown with Stanford, UCLA gets to measure itself against an honorary member of the Pac-12 Conference. BYU has earned that designation after opening the season with games against Arizona (a narrow victory) and Utah (a tense defeat). The Cougars’ matchup with the Bruins figures to be equally edgy, and not just because the game could stretch into Sunday local time, a no-no for a school with a written policy forbidding Sunday play.

UCLA pass offense vs. BYU pass defense: Josh Rosen might make BYU fans long for the days when it was Quarterback U, trotting out Jim McMahon, Steve Young, Robbie Bosco and Ty Detmer. Rosen appears to be on a similar trajectory as those stars, needing only 15 games to move into 10^th place on UCLA’s all-time passing list with 4,278 yards. He might bump himself up a few notches against a Cougars secondary missing injured cornerback Troy Warner as well as safety Kai Nacua and cornerback Austin McChesney, both unavailable for the first half after being ejected for targeting last week against Utah. EDGE: UCLA.

UCLA run offense vs. BYU run defense: The Bruins diversified their rushing portfolio last week, giving freshmen Brandon Stephens and Jalen Starks as many carries as more established tailbacks Soso Jamabo and Bolu Olorunfunmi. The payoff was immediate. Stephens gained 71 yards and Starks had a few nice carries, his third-quarter fumble notwithstanding. UCLA could get even deeper if Nate Starks returns from the mysterious “coach’s decision” that forced him to miss the first two weeks of the season. Nate Starks sparked the Bruins’ game-winning drive over BYU last season with several big carries, including the tying touchdown. BYU has allowed 142 yards rushing per game, ranking 69^th among major-college teams. EDGE: UCLA.

BYU pass offense vs. UCLA pass defense: Inchworms cover more ground than most of Taysom Hill’s passes. The BYU quarterback has not completed a pass of more than 19 yards in his team’s first two games, giving the Cougars what might be the most drab passing attack in the country. And to think that Detmer, whose passes once accrued more air miles than Delta, is the offensive coordinator. At least Hill should have plenty of time to throw his passes that go nowhere. UCLA has just one sack in two games. EDGE: UCLA.

BYU run offense vs. UCLA run defense: Either UCLA’s run defense is holding some master scheme in reserve or it isn’t very good. Probably the latter. The Bruins have allowed 189 yards rushing per game and 5.0 yards per carry to Texas A&M and Nevada Las Vegas, teams not exactly known for power running games. Things could get even uglier Saturday. BYU tailback Jamaal Williams has averaged 110 yards rushing per game and Hill’s feet are apparently more dangerous than his arm because his longest rush this season is 39 yards. EDGE: BYU.

Special teams: UCLA kicker J.J. Molson was essentially given the week off when the Bruins scored touchdown after touchdown against UNLV and didn’t need the freshman except for PATs and kickoffs. BYU kickers Jake Oldroyd and Rhett Almond have combined to make all four of their field goals, including two from at least 40 yards. UCLA’s Ishmael Adams is always a threat to return punts and kickoffs for a touchdown. EDGE: UCLA.

Ben Bolch’s pick: Those who forget the past are destined to … be grateful? That appeared to be UCLA Coach Jim Mora’s take on the Bruins’ last trip to Provo, which ended in a 59-0 shellacking by the Cougars in 2008. “Nobody cares,” Mora said. “It’s like USC beat UCLA 50-0 one time and I don’t think that affected us the next time we played against them.” He was correct. The Bruins beat the Trojans the next season and they should experience a similar outcome Saturday. UCLA 24, BYU 17.