Keys to Victory: UCLA at Stanford
For the first time in 2015, UCLA is coming off a loss. After getting physically dominated by the Arizona State Sun Devils, the Bruins must travel north to face the red hot Stanford Cardinal. Here are the Bruins Keys to Victory for this Thursday night.
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1. Come to Play –
The offensive line played its worst game in a year last week against ASU, and if they don’t improve there will be no chance against Stanford.
If the Bruins can’t get control the game with Paul Perkins and the running game, Josh Rosen and the defense will be put under too much pressure (see keys 2 and 3).
If the five guys up front don’t bounce back strong, the Bruin’s will get ground into hamburger for a second game in a row.
2. Protect Rosen (By Keeping Him in Manageable Situations) – Fans and Critics of OC Noel Mazzone are begging him to unleash Rosen, and he should … But it’s only going to work if the Bruin offense can stay in manageable situations.
Sure, have him throw on a few 1st downs, knock yourself out! However, this game will be won or lost based on how many 3rd and 10’s the Frosh Phenom has to dig the Bruins out of.
If the Bruins can stay on schedule with the running and horizontal passing game, Rosen can exploit Stanford down the field with play fakes and open seams. If not, he will probably be running for his life as he did against the Sun Devils.
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3. Control the Ball So Stanford Can’t Suffocate the Bruins –
In Mora’s four games against the Cardinal, only one has been close, the 2012 Pac-12 Title Game that the Bruins lost 24-27.
That game is the only game in which the Time of Possession edge was not decisively in favor of Stanford. That’s also the only game in which the Bruins out-gained the Cardinal (461 – 325 total yards) and out-rushed them (284 – 170).
If the Bruins are ever going to vanquish Stanford, they will have to bow up and beat them physically. Finesse will only take them so far on the Farm.
Go Bruins
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Next: Go Joe Bruin Predicts The Game: UCLA vs Stanford