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UCLA Football: UCLA at Texas A&M Early Analysis

By Michael Chavez

Sep 26, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Kevin Sumlin prior to the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Kevin Sumlin prior to the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 12, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; UCLA Bruins running back Soso Jamabo (1) runs with the ball while running back Paul Perkins (24) and running back Nate Meadors (22) run on the outside against the UNLV Rebels during the third quarter at Sam Boyd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; UCLA Bruins running back Soso Jamabo (1) runs with the ball while running back Paul Perkins (24) and running back Nate Meadors (22) run on the outside against the UNLV Rebels during the third quarter at Sam Boyd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports /

UCLA Offense v Texas A&M Defense

The Bruins’ new offense will feature some power positions that have been lacking the past few years. In the last 5 seasons before Chavis’ arrival I wouldn’t have been so worried about an Aggie defense but given what he did with LSU and even last year in College Station, there has to be some concern.

As stated earlier the Bruins need to replace three offensive linemen which is a nightmare scenario when you’re going to face a defensive line that features at least three guys that will play on Sundays. The front seven of A&M is going to be active and fast flowing but did surrender yards on the ground last season.

One of the best ways to protect your quarterback is to have a successful running game and I have faith that UCLA will be able to do some damage against the Aggies on the ground while sprinkling in some surgeon like passes.

Texas A&M Offense v UCLA Defense

It would be pretty safe to assume that because Mazzone is now with A&M, any competitive advantage that may have been had for either side is going to be a wash so let’s leave that out of our discussion. The Bruins were horrific last season against the run and the Aggies have a stable of backs.

What should help UCLA improve is a shift to the 4-3 defense and their 2016 signing class that included a few big bodies on the defensive line. Conditioning is going to be huge for the UCLA defense though as the Mazzone offense is fast paced and requires defenses to be fundamentally sound in order to shut it down.

Trevor Knight is a mobile passer and has big time targets in Noil and Rick Seals-Jones. A trademark of a Mazzone offense is a heavy dose of the run game and both Keith Ford and James White should see plenty of touches.

Next: Final Analysis and Prediction