UCLA entered the season ranked No. 7 in the country and has managed to parlay a 2-0 record into a drop to No. 12. An uninspiring victory over Virginia (albeit all the way across the country) was followed by an uninspiring home date in which the Bruins allowed 469 yards to Memphis in winning 42-35.

Now they travel to Texas, which has all manner of problems. The Longhorns got dehorned 41-7 at home by BYU and players are questioning whether the entire roster shows a full commitment to winning. Well, if you ask that question, the answer is probably no.

Bruins quarterback Brett Hundley, a Heisman Trophy candidate, makes this game worth watching. He passed for 396 yards and three touchdowns against Memphis as the Bruins piled up 540 yards. UCLA coach Jim Mora sounded testy when talking to Texas reporters about whether his team was living up to preseason expectations. Here’s UCLA’s chance to do that.

WHAT WE’LL BE WATCHING

West Virginia at Maryland: Two unranked teams meet, but this old border battle has legs. The Mountaineers surely remember last year’s 37-0 loss to the Terrapins. Quarterback Clint Trickett has passed for 700 yards in two games in West Virginia’s potent spread offense. Maryland likes to run the read-option for quarterback C.J. Brown. Styles make fights.

Southern Mississippi at Alabama: The third-ranked Crimson Tide come off a virtual bye, having beaten Florida Atlantic 41-0 in a weather-shortened affair. Alabama is favored by 48 points. So we’ll be watching the first 10 minutes in ‘Bama’s last tuneup before SEC play.

Wyoming at Oregon: The Ducks are 43-point favorites, but they are fun to watch with their blur offense. Wyoming is 2-0 but stepping up in its class of opponent after topping Montana and Air Force. Give it a quarter or so to see the No. 2 Ducks make a splash against a decent defense that has allowed just two touchdowns.
 

Today’s question:

Which game will you be watching, and why? Answers in the comment box, please.
 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman .