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UCLA Football: UCLA Vs. Arizona State Early Analysis

By Mike Regalado

Oct 3, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils running back Kalen Ballage (9) is tackled by the UCAL Bruins defense during the game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils running back Kalen Ballage (9) is tackled by the UCAL Bruins defense during the game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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UCLA Offense Vs. ASU Defense

Last year, the Sun Devil’s blitz-happy defense put the Bruins through hell. With high-risk pass rushing, UCLA was not able to overpower ASU on the offensive side. The Sun Devils lose five defensive starters this season, so chemistry will be an issue early on, but will it come together by the time they play UCLA is yet to be seen.

It is also a matter of UCLA’s power and spread schemes being able to take ASU off their footing. If UCLA can thicken up the line to limit pass rushes, UCLA QB Josh Rosen can operate properly against a not-so-good pass defense. And if the Bruin run game gets things going, forget about it!

Related Story: UCLA Vs. Arizona Preview

ASU Offense Vs. UCLA Defense

ASU’s up tempo offense will need time to get up to speed. They lose their QB, 2 WRs and an solid OG. Though the Sun Devils found some success with former QB Mike Bercovici, that will take a hit with whomever ASU choses to lead the offense in 2016.

ASU will run behind a pair of solid RBs, but if UCLA figures out how to stop the run, the Devils may be forced to throw, and that will be a difficult task against the Bruin’s secondary, which will once again be one of the better units in the Pac-12. If UCLA’s offense can’t get past the ASU defense, the Bruin defense should be the group that gets the win out of this.

Next: Final Analysis and Prediction