Here are five themes that are characterizing the UCLA Football team after the first five weeks in which the Bruins are 4-1 and ranked #20 in the country.
Five weeks into the season, the UCLA Football team has already shown us a lot that we can applaud, but they have also shown that they have a lot to work on this season.
Now starting 4-1 is not bad, especially the way they they played against Virginia and Arizona and how they persevered against BYU, but they need to tighten some screws going forward if they want to maximize their potential.
Saturday, things got a bit interesting as the Arizona State Sun Devils exposed the Bruins, picking them apart for three quarters. Though the UCLA Football team was able to mount a comeback late in the game, enough damage had been done in the first three quarters to hold off a miraculous Bruin win.
Still, there were several things that were working and several that were not and with a week and a half until the next game, UCLA Football has to collectively figure out any and all issues, especially with the disciplined stalwart Stanford Cardinal waiting for a chance to beat the Bruins for an eighth time in a row.
For now, here are five themes of 2015.
Next: In Defense Mode
The Defense Is Not As Good As Expected Due To Injuries
This just might be the harshest reality UCLA will have to bear this season. What was expected to be a highly touted defense, and actually was in the first four weeks, is starting to become a memory as the Bruin defense has been decimated with injuries.
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The Bruins have not seen anything like this before. To have three key players out with season-ending injuries is leaving the Bruins a little bit spent despite having a deep and talented roster.
Now make no mistake, these younger Bruins are going to be a factor in the future, but it is a big deal to ask less experienced players to do what Eddie Vanderdoes, Fabian Moreau and Myles Jack do.
On top of that, that UCLA defense is doing everything they can to keep their team in the game. The ASU game was not the only one where the Bruin defense was on the field twice as long as the offense. Having an offense go three and out on consecutive plays is not only bad for them, but it means the defense cannot rest. UCLA has to find a way to spread the wealth in time of possession so one part of the team does not get drained..
Little things like that will give the Bruins several advantages throughout the game.
Next: Real Rosen
September 5, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) watches game action against the Virginia Cavaliers during the second half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Josh Rosen Is Human
Betsided
We have found Josh Rosen’s weakness and it is aggressive, blitzing, Division I defenses.
“The Chosen One,” with all things considered, has done a decent job getting a top 25 team a 4-1 record, but when teams bring the pressure, they tend to really shut him down.
Rosen has shown that he has the ability to make big plays and can take command of the team. He is also shown that he is still a freshman.
Whatever UCLA fans expected from Rosen was on display against Virginia, UNLV and Arizona. What everyone else in the country was waiting for was on display against BYU and Arizona State. He is still trying to adapt to the Division I way of life and from what we know, Rosen is on fire when he has time and is a bit of a mess when defenses dial it up a bit.
It also did not help that the offensive line played their worst game of the season against Sun Devils. That, in turn, did not help Rosen as he had his mistakes on full display as ASU just kept poking at him and forcing him to make errors.
In a way, it is quite simple. Figure out the blitz and the Bruin offense will be amazing.
Next: Is UCLA Still Good?
Oct 11, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins coach Jim Mora (right) and referee Michael Batlan during the game against the Oregon Ducks at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
UCLA Is Really Good, They Just Have Problems
UCLA Bruins
Is the UCLA football team still a good team? They have skilled players, good coaches and a tough football attitude.
Though UCLA has proven they are tough, a team does get to a point when they lose so many players that it is hard to make up for the collective talent of their starters.
This is unfortunate for the Bruins but as Jim Mora has often said, he’s not gonna make excuses. When they win they’ll take the win and when they lose they need to find a way to get better.
The Bruins need to find a way to get better fast because in a week and a half they’re taking on Stanford who they have not defeated in seven tries.
UCLA has shown that they can make adjustments, but now there is a sense of urgency. That urgency started when the Bruins did not get into their groove until the fourth quarter against Arizona State.
There is a pattern which Mora alluded to in his post game conference about losing at this point in the season. If UCLA loses to Stanford that would be the third year in a row UCLA loses two consecutive games mid-season.
So there is the problem and now the Bruins have to figure out how to solve it.
Next: Making Perkins Brake
Sep 19, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) trails the play as running back Paul Perkins (24) breaks from BYU Cougars linebacker Sae Tautu (31) to score a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the game at the Rose Bowl. Ucla won 24-23.Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Paul Perkins Can Be Stopped
Paul Perkins is a beast but he cannot do it alone. In the first four games when the offensive line played to the best of their ability, Perkins also had good games. As we saw yesterday against Arizona State, when the offensive line is not getting things done, neither is Perkins.
The ASU game was by far the worst the offensive line has played. Arizona State did a good job of stacking the box and sending the house at the offense. It threw off the O-line and thusly threw off Perkins who was not able to get into any open gaps and make some plays.
Teams with aggressive defenses are going to take notes on this when they try to figure out how to stop Perkins. If the Bruins cannot adjust to that, then Perkins is going to be completely shut down and that’s something you don’t want from your best weapon.
Next: The Future Is Bright
The Defense Has A Lot of Players That Will Be Very Good In The Future
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The term is “next man up”. There have been several men that have been expected to come up due to a rash of injuries and even though the coaching staff does their best to prepare these players, the reality is that they probably are not as prepared for the real game experience as they would like. But it is a little bigger than that for UCLA.
It is one thing for a single player to come in and try to take over for a veteran, but it’s a completely different animal when you have 4 to 5 guys doing that across one side of the ball.
Although it would be a bit much to ask them to do exactly what these veterans do, the truth is with younger guys they need time to grow their game.
UCLA has been doing a great job in recruiting and development. They do have a lot of talent but the majority of that talent has not met their potential. They will be good in time, but as for right now, it could get a little bumpy.
Next: Position Group Report Card: ASU vs UCLA
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