Word Around Westwood: A UCLA Bruins Podcast

In the latest edition of the Word Around Westwood Podcast, Bruin247 writers Connor Morrissette and Jack Savage react to UCLA's initial placement in the College Football Playoff rankings and discuss the team's more challenging schedule moving forward. The duo also answers questions from subscribers.

(0:52) - Reacting to UCLA's placement in the CFP rankings

(8:25) - Looking ahead to UCLA's Week 10 game at Minnesota

(15:55) - Thoughts on Bob Chesney's comments about Nico Iamaleava's return

(25:33) - Listener Q&A

Bruin247 writers Connor Morrissette and Kris Johnson react to No. 22 UCLA's 84-75 win over No. 5 Arizona in Las Vegas to open the 2026-27 season.

(0:42) - Initial thoughts on the win

(12:51) - Connor gives his stat of the game

(27:05) - Azavier Robinson was an unsung hero

Bruin247 writers Connor Morrissette and Jack Savage break down UCLA's 27-0 Week 9 win over Nevada.

(0:40) - Thoughts on UCLA's win

(7:30) - Should we be concerned about UCLA's field goal operation?

(17:28) - Highlighting UCLA's defensive standouts

In the latest edition of the Word Around Westwood Podcast, Bruin247 writers Connor Morrissette and Jack Savage react to Nico Iamaleava informing UCLA that he'll be back next season. The duo explores what that decision means for the future of the program and how it could potentially impact Ty Dieffenbach.

Connor and Jack then preview UCLA's Week 9 matchup against Nevada inside the Rose Bowl. What are the biggest storylines heading into the action? Who will be the key players to watch? How can the Bruins win and continue to build momentum? The duo answers those questions, responds to listener questions, gives their game predictions and much more.

(0:49) - Reacting to Nico Iamaleava informing UCLA that he plans to return to Westwood next season

(10:33) - Nevada vs. UCLA preview

(37:37) - Listener Q&A

In the latest edition of the Word Around Westwood Podcast, Bruin247 writers Connor Morrissette and Kris Johnson open the show giving their thoughts on the UCLA men's basketball team's exhibition game win over San Diego on Tuesday night. The duo breaks down their initial impressions of the team and what stood out most from the win. Connor and Kris also discuss UCLA woman's basketball's exhibition loss to Texas. The show wraps up with Connor and Kris previewing the regular season for both teams, which includes looking ahead to the men's monumental clash against No. 5 Arizona in Las Vegas, and answering subscriber questions.

(1:09) - Thoughts on UCLA men's basketball's exhibition win over San Diego

(26:26) - Thoughts on UCLA women's basketball's exhibition game loss to Texas

(37:04) - Listener Q&A

(45:54) - Kris' thoughts on UCLA vs. Arizona matchup

In the latest edition of the Word Around Westwood Podcast, Bruin247 writers Connor Morrissette and Jack Savage discuss Bob Chesney saying UCLA is "the greatest place in the world to coach football" when he was asked if fans should be concerned he'll be poached after this season. In the second segment, Connor and Jack hit on the Bruins' win over Michigan State and UCLA's undefeated start to the season. The Bruins beat the Spartans, but Chesney mentioned in his postgame remarks that he wasn't happy with some of UCLA's early fumbles, drops and penalties.

"This is Week 7, and maybe over the past week we got lax on some things, and we're never going to let this happen again," he said. "That's what we ultimately need."

Jack and Connor react to that comment, begin to look ahead to Nevada, and end the show answering your questions in our weekly mailbag.

(1:11) - Thoughts on Bob Chesney's comments about his future

(11:37) - What do you want to see UCLA fix against Nevada after starting slow in Michigan State win

(17:29) - Listener Q&A

Bruin247 writers Connor Morrissette and Jack Savage react to UCLA football's 28-10 Week 8 home win against Michigan State.

(0:48) - Overall thoughts on the win, thoughts on the offense

(17:32) - Thoughts on UCLA's defense

(23:40) - Thoughts on UCLA's special teams

In the latest edition of the Word Around Westwood Podcast, Bruin247 writers Connor Morrissette and Kris Johnson open the show giving their thoughts on the UCLA men's basketball team's exhibition game win over Cal Baptist on Tuesday. The duo breaks down their initial impressions of the team and what stood out most from the win. Connor and Kris also discuss UCLA woman's basketball's season-opening exhibition win over Cal.

In the second hour, Connor Jack Savage preview UCLA football's Week 8 matchup against Michigan State inside the Rose Bowl.

What are the biggest storylines heading into the action? Who will be the key players to watch? How can the Bruins win and continue to build momentum? The duo answers those questions, responds to listener questions, gives their game predictions and much more.

(1:25) - Thoughts on UCLA men's basketball's exhibition win over Cal Baptist

(40:20) - Thoughts on UCLA women's basketball's exhibition win over Cal

(56:05) - Michigan State vs. UCLA football pregame show

In the latest edition of the Word Around Westwood Podcast, Bruin247 writers Connor Morrissette and Jack Savage continue to discuss the Bruins' win over Wisconsin and UCLA's undefeated start to the season. The duo gives their thoughts on how Bob Chesney has positioned the Bruins to be in the College Football Playoff hunt. As always on Tuesdays, the show finishes with Connor and Jack answering questions from subscribers and viewers.

(1:34) - How Bob Chesney has UCLA at 6-0 in the College Football Playoff hunt

(12:28) - Listener Q&A

Bruin247 writers Connor Morrissette and Jack Savage react to UCLA football's Week 7 home win against Wisconsin. The Bruins beat the Badgers 17-7.

(1:45) - Initial game reaction and thoughts on Ty Dieffenbach's starting debut

(15:45) - Thoughts on UCLA's defensive performance

(25:12) - Listener Q&A

In the latest edition of the Word Around Westwood Podcast, Bruin247 writers Connor Morrissette and Jack Savage preview UCLA's Week 7 matchup against Wisconsin inside the Rose Bowl.

What are the biggest storylines heading into the action? Who will be the key players to watch? How can the Bruins win and continue to build momentum? The duo answers those questions, responds to listener questions, gives their game predictions and much more.

(1:32) - Making the case for a UCLA win

(10:24) - Deep dive into Wisconsin vs. UCLA matchup

(44:46) - Thoughts on the CFP expanding to 24 teams

In the latest edition of the Word Around Westwood Podcast, Bruin247 writers Connor Morrissette and Jack Savage continue to discuss the Bruins' win over Oregon as well as Nico Iamaleava's injury and what it means for the team moving forward. The duo also breaks down how UCLA's defense has played at such a high level, and they finish the show with questions from subscribers.

(2:03) - More Oregon game takeaways

(16:07) - How does UCLA rebound from Nico Iamaleava injury?

(31:50) - Listener Q&A

Bruin247 writers Connor Morrissette and Jack Savage react to UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava injuring his knee, which is expected to sideline him for the rest of the year.

(0:57) - Reaction to the injury

(9:03) - What Ty Dieffenbach brings to UCLA's offense

In the latest edition of the Word Around Westwood Podcast, Bruin247 writers Connor Morrissette and Jack Savage discuss the Bruins' monumental 17-15 win over Oregon.

(1:13) - Initial takeaways from UCLA win

(9:45) - Reaction to Nico Iamaleava's performance

(29:00) - How does UCLA continue to force so many turnovers?

In the latest edition of the Word Around Westwood Podcast, Bruin247 writers Connor Morrissette and Jack Savage preview UCLA's Week 6 road matchup at Oregon, plus a special guest joins the show!

What are the biggest storylines heading into the action? Who will be the key players to watch? How can the Bruins win and continue to build momentum? The duo answers those questions, responds to listener questions, gives their game predictions and much more.

(0:53) - Bolu Olorunfunmi interview

(16:36) - UCLA vs. Oregon game preview

(51:52) - Score predictions

In the latest edition of the Word Around Westwood Podcast, Bruin247 writers Connor Morrissette and Kris Johnson discuss what they learned at UCLA men's basketball Media Day Tuesday. Mick Cronin and a group of players spoke with reporters at the event. The players also took a team photo, and the first ten minutes of practice were open to the media to watch. Connor and Kris discuss their takeaways from the event and much more. The duo also discusses Eric Freeny taking a leave of absence from the program.

(1:12) - What Eric Freeny's leave of absence means for UCLA men's basketball

(4:28) - Takeaways from UCLA men's basketball Media Day

In the latest edition of the Word Around Westwood Podcast, Bruin247 writers Connor Morrissette and Jack Savage discuss UCLA's 4-0 start to the season, look ahead to next week's showdown at Oregon and answer subscriber questions.

(1:48) - Looking ahead to Oregon matchup

(14:18) - Listener Q&A

In the latest edition of the Word Around Westwood Podcast, Bruin247 writers Connor Morrissette and Kris Johnson are talking hoops! Practice has started for both the men's and women's teams at UCLA, and Connor and Kris give their thoughts on the outlooks for Mick Cronin and Cori Close's teams. What have Connor and Kris heard about the transfer portal additions for both teams? Are the teams healthy? Can both programs go on NCAA Tournament runs? Connor and Kris answer those questions, questions from subscribers and a whole lot more!

(2:08) - Thoughts on UCLA men's basketball heading into the season

(39:36) - Thoughts on UCLA women's basketball heading into the season

(52:43) - Listener Q&A

In the latest edition of the Word Around Westwood Podcast, Bruin247 writers Connor Morrissette and Jack Savage react to UCLA's dominant 54-3 Week 4 road win over Maryland.

(0:15) - Initial game thoughts

(12:20) - Thoughts on UCLA's quarterback play

(18:43) - Injury updates

In the latest edition of the Word Around Westwood Podcast, Bruin247 writers Connor Morrissette and Jack Savage preview UCLA's Week 4 road matchup at Maryland. What are the biggest storylines heading into the action? Who will be the key players to watch? How can the Bruins win and continue to build momentum? The duo answers those questions, responds to listener questions, gives their game predictions and much more.

(1:34) - Injury updates

(5:34) - UCLA vs. Maryland game thoughts

(38:42) - Listener Q&A