Know Your Opponent: UCLA Football vs. Arizona Wildcats
Nov 21, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Jim Mora during the second half against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. UCLA won 17-9. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
The UCLA Football team is looking to bounce back after a heartbreaking loss to Stanford last weekend and shift their focus to the Arizona Wildcats in an effort to get back on track to win the South Division.
Stanford beat the UCLA Football team, blah, blah, blah… we move on.
After an unfortunate slide into a 2-2 record, the Bruins are looking to get back to their winning ways and that starts this Saturday against Arizona.
UCLA is experiencing some ups and downs with their new offense, though it seems as though they are having improvements overall (though that is just my humble opinion). Their defense is looking more and more stout which will help them slow teams down, especially in the run game.
Arizona is also trying find elevate their game, though its been getting harder on offensive with a handful of injuries. Despite a few losses on the field and in the “L” column, the Wildcats are still a very dangerous group, especially with their dual-threat QB Bradnon Dawkins.
With both Arizona and UCLA still controlling their destiny in the Pac-12 South Division, the Bruins and Wildcats will try to stay afloat with a win this Saturday, but who will come out the victor?
Sep 24, 2016; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats quarterback Brandon Dawkins (13) runs the ball under pressure from Washington Huskies linebacker Keishawn Bierria (7) during the first quarter at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Arizona Offense
Arizona is not having a lot of luck at the running back position. Though they have dual-threat quarterback Dawkins, who leads the team in rushing yards (411, 8.9 yards per run), the Wildcats are down to their only scholarship running back, 4th string Zach Green.
He has only played in 3 games with 15 carries which surely has the Arizona coaches reeling for a game plan that involves him. Lucky for them he is gaining 3.6 yards per carry, which will conitue to help out the Arizona run game.
But let’s get back to Dawkins. He leads a fast-paced offense that relies more on the run, but has been able to use the pass to keep defenses on their toes. He is very mobile and can get to the edge for a run, but also has the ability to get to the sildeine to re-position himself for a pass down field.
The Wildcats also spread the field to try and open up plays. UCLA is going to have be aware of the run game and all the open space Arizona will occupy. This is in stark contrast to what UCLA faced last week against Stanford.
The Bruins did a good job containing Stanford’s run as they crowded the line. On Saturday, the Bruins will have to cover more of the field against Arizona.
UCLA’s linebackers and defensive backs will need to keep their eyes open around field and support the run. Jayon Brown and Kenny Young have been active around the field and have helped limit the opposition gaining extra yards. One thing that was noticeable Stanford was how the Bruins had very few missed tackles.
Dec 19, 2015; Albuquerque, NM, USA; Arizona Wildcats cornerback Cam Denson (3) celebrates with safety Paul Magloire Jr. (14) and Arizona Wildcats safety Anthony Lopez (28) after making an interception in the final minute of the game against the New Mexico Lobos in the 2015 New Mexico Bowl at University Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Arizona Defense
Arizona definitely relies on their offense to win games because their defense has a lot of work to do.
Head Coach Rich Rodriguez wanted to change up the defensive scheme this season and brought in three assistants.
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Marcel Yates was lured away from Boise State to take over the defensive coordinator position and has been looking to implement a more attacking defensive style.
The process is taking some time as the Arizona defense is in the bottom half of several defensive categories in the Pac-12. With players learning a new system and going from a 3-3-5 formation to a 4-2-5, some growing pains are bound to happen.
So far, those pains are occurring at a very slow pace. Currently Arizona is 10th in the conference in total defense as they are giving up 454.5 yards per game. In defending the pass they come in at 19th (256.2 ypg) and against the run they are 11th (198.2 ypg).
If that is not shocking, then try to comprehend the Wildcats giving up 352 yards on the ground to Washington. If there was anytime for the Bruins to try an implement a dominant run game, this contest against Arizona would be the one to do it,
September 10, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) throws a pass against the UNLV Rebels during the first half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction
Arizona smelled blood and now they want more. They came so close to knocking off Washington and believe they can do the same to the Bruins. The defense is questionable, but they have a potent rushing attack led by Dawkins and believe that they will try to run on UCLA.
The Bruins no that Dawkins is a threat, but they also know he might be the only threat. With Arizona hit hard by injuries, there are not a lot of players that could help out Dawkins, especially in the ground game. Because of that, the Bruins are going to try and contain him and let him him throw to try and get any type of production.
As for the offense, this could be the game that the Bruins have been waiting for. Aside from UNLV, the Bruins have faced some tough defensive competition and not to say Arizona does not have what it takes to stop UCLA, but they are nothing like Texas A&M, BYU and Stanford.
I expect the Bruins to control this game from start to finish as they show the country that they are a team to be feared.
Prediction: UCLA 35 – Arizona 10