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UCLA Football: UCLA Vs Utah Early Analysis

By Mike Regalado

Nov 21, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; UCLA Bruins wide receiver Darren Andrews (4) carries the ball as Utah Utes defensive back Cory Butler-Byrd (16) defends during the second half at Rice-Eccles Stadium. UCLA won 17-9. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; UCLA Bruins wide receiver Darren Andrews (4) carries the ball as Utah Utes defensive back Cory Butler-Byrd (16) defends during the second half at Rice-Eccles Stadium. UCLA won 17-9. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 21, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) drops back to pass during the second half against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. UCLA won 17-9. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) drops back to pass during the second half against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. UCLA won 17-9. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

UCLA Offense Vs Utah Defense

Defense has always been the strength for Utah but this year will be slightly different. The Utes lost a lot of players from last season, but that does not mean they will be any less formidable.

Last year, DC Morgan Scalley made the Utes one of the most feared groups in the country as they were at the top of many defensive stats including rush defense (6th in the nation, 108.6 yards allowed), scoring defense (31st, 22.3 points allowed), sacks (16th, 37 total) and interceptions (T-4th, 22 total).

Though they may have lost key defensive players, the mindset and tenacity remains the same.  Their strength should be the defensive line which returns several players that the Bruins will surely want to keep tabs on.

If UCLA can grind down the defense like they did last season in Salt Lake City, which seems possible with the new offense that will utilize fullbacks and tight ends, then UCLA should overcome them. The Bruins could also run down the Utes as they have three fantastic running backs in Soso Jamabo, Nate Starks and Bolu Olorunfunmi.

QB Josh Rosen will also have to adjust with talented but unproven receivers (except for maybe Darren Andrews), but might be able dominate through the air as Utah was not the best overall pass defense team as they allowed 258.2 yards through the air (106th in the nation).

Advantage: UCLA

Related Story: UCLA Football: Projecting the Defensive Backs Depth Chart

UCLA Defense Vs Utah Offense

The offense is going to be the big question mark for the Utes. They lose their quarterback (Travis Wilson), their running back (Booker) and did not really have any break out players among the wide receivers (Utah was 106th in the nation in passing offense, 180.0 ypg).

Hopefully for the Utes, the new players on the offense will have built up enough chemistry to withstand the tough Pac-12 schedule. If not, it is going to be a long season.

Now going up against the Bruin’s defense, Utah should most likely try to exploit the Bruin’s run D which was atrocious last season. UCLA looks to improve that with the return of Eddie Vanderdoes and a restructuring in a 4-3 base defense. Now if Utah tries to pass with whatever QB they choose to start (Brandon Cox, Tyler Huntley or Troy Williams), they will have to try and do so against one of the best passing defenses in the conference.

Utah’s only saving grace could be the O-line which returns all five starters. Sure they will hold back the UCLA D, but if they have no one to properly operate it, the Utes could be in for a bad time.

Advantage: UCLA

Next: Final Analysis and Prediction