UCLA at Arizona State Preview
The Bruins take their 3-0 record into the desert this Thursday night to take on ole Sparky in a battle of undefeated teams. Here’s what you need to know:
“Mora and the Bruins really want this game… I mean really.”
Which team has had the better start? – That depends on whether you like unchallenged victories against cream puffs or a little struggling through adversity? Arizona State has played 3 games against inferior opponents (0-4 FCS Weber State, 1-2 New Mexico and 2-2 Colorado). UCLA has been in 3 fairly tight contests that have each presented different challenges.
How will the ASU offense look without Kelly? – Up until the end of the 3rd quarter of the ASU-Colorado Game, the Sun Devils offense was humming. QB Taylor Kelly was the perfect trigger man for a quick paced offense ranked #13 in Total Offense, #12 in Rushing Offense and #7 in Scoring Offense. RB DJ Foster has averaged almost 10 yards per carry over the first 3 games and WR Jalen Strong has proven to be appropriately named as he regularly overpowers opposing defensive backs. However, the loss of Kelly for an unknown time period means Mike Burcovici will take the reins for the Sun Devils. Look for the Sun Devils to keep the pace up, but also try to take advantage of Burcovici’s long range down the field. The offensive success of the Sun Devils will depend on how well they can run the ball and how well they can protect Burcovici as he look to go vertical. The UCLA front 7 is far and away the best unit ASU has faced this year, so it remains to be seen if the Sun Devils can maintain their gaudy offensive stats.
Live Feed
Betsided
Will Brett Hundley Play? – Uuuuhhhhhh, YES! Coach Jim Mora has been coy to say the least about his starting QB, but based on the rare practice footage seen this week alone, there is no way that the Bruins take the field sans Hundley. Now that the Bruins have seemingly patched up the myriad offensive woes over the 1st 3 games (center back-CHECK, running game-CHECK) UCLA has an opportunity to take advantage of a green Sun Devil defense. ASU has 9 new defensive starters this year, are ranked #99 against the run and have given up 18 runs of 10 yards or more against 3 bad teams.
More from UCLA Bruins
- UCLA Football: Where are they ranked heading into week 4
- UCLA vs. Utah: Location, time, prediction, and more
- UCLA Football: An analysis and more of the defense
- UCLA vs. North Carolina Central: Location, time, prediction, and more
- UCLA Football: Three first half takeaways against SDSU
Do the Bruins have any extra motivation? – The Sun Devils were the bane of LA football last year. They beat USC so badly that Lane Kiffin was fired on a tarmac, and ASU jumped all over the Bruins early and held on late to earn the 2013 Pac-12 South Title. That game was marred by the decision to take super LB/RB Myles Jack off the defense for a game; ASU scored 35 first half points and a discombobulated UCLA staggered out of the Rose Bowl with a loss. Mora and the Bruins really want this game… I mean really.
Prediction: The Bruins march into Tempe and throttle the Sun Devils into submission. Foster gets some yards, but the Bruins keep him contained for the most part. Bercovici is hit hard and often and ASU never quite makes it out of the blocks against their first quality opponent. Bruin Defensive Coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has called fairly conservative games so far this season, but look for the Bruin front 4 to control the line of scrimmage and a little more blitzing against a pocket passing QB. With Hundley back at the helm, the Bruin offense is able to move the ball and score against ASU. The Bruin special teams will also win the battle against Sparky as Ishmael Adams rips off a big return and Fairbairn continues his kicking hot-streak. . . . and of course, I have a pleasant drive home from Arizona.
UCLA 34 – 16