Go Joe Bruin continues to preview the UCLA Football schedule as we look at Utah and their return to the Rose Bowl.
We all remember it, though we don’t want to. The last time the UCLA Football team faced Utah at the Rose Bowl, the Utes shocked the Bruins as they sacked then QB Brett Hundley 10 times with UCLA missing a last second field goal in a 30-28 loss.
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Luckily UCLA got some payback last season when they went into Salt Lake City and did not break under pressure in a 17-9 win. This was an interesting meeting for both teams.
Utah was in a bit of a downward spiral after starting 6-0 and getting as high as #3 in the AP poll. The Bruins were reeling after their third loss of the season to Washington State who beat the Bruins on a last second touchdown.
When they met in the SLC, both were still in the hunt for the Pac-12 South Division, with the loser getting eliminated from contention. As we all know, UCLA’s defense was able to time and again hold off Utah’s average offense.
On the other side of the ball, UCLA QB Josh Rosen was able to keep the Bruins poised despite having to trudge to a 17-9 win.
With UCLA and Utah predicted to be in the top half of the South Division once again, we will once again see an all-out battle.
Next: 2015 Record and Recap
2015 Record and Recap
Utah Utes, 10-3 overall, 6-3 Pac-12
The Utes got off to an explosive start last season. In the first game of the year, they ruined Jim Harbaugh‘s return to the college ranks with a 24-17 win in the Big House against Michigan. Utah then beat Utah State and Fresno State the next two weeks.
UCLA Bruins
Then they shocked the college football world with the destruction of Oregon in a 62-20 beat down. With wins against Cal and Arizona State following that game, the Utes were not only looking like the team to beat in the Pac-12, but also looked like one of the best teams in the nation as they peaked with a #3 ranking in the AP poll.
Utah then had a dose of reality served to them when they travelled to USC and lost 24-42. After wins over Oregon State and Washington, Utah cracked the Top 10 once more (#10), though they would not reach that point again the rest of the season, especially after a two-game skid against Arizona and UCLA.
They finished the regular season barely defeating Colorado, 20-14. Despite a strong start, their late season stumble pushed them to the Las Vegas Bowl against in-state rival BYU where they won 35-28 and finished 17th in the AP poll.
Next: Key Players and Random Stats
Key Players
Thomas was used as a nickel back last season and it worked to his advantage, especially considering his strengths. He is fast, smart and very good in coverage. With 48 total tackles, 3 interceptions and 6 passes broken up, he proved to be a deadly threat when the ball was thrown his way.
This year he is going to be expected to lead the charge in the defensive backfield and help improve Utah’s pass defense. With the aggression the Utes bring to each game, Thomas fits in perfectly and could be one of Utah’s top tacklers in 2016.
Utah has had some incredibly impactful defensive lineman and Lotulelei continues that tradition this season. As one of the many returning D-line starters, Lotulelei will be a key contributor to the vicious defensive presence of Utah.
As one of the best defensive linemen in the conference (if not the best), Lotulelei will help bridge the gap between last year’s squad and this team.
RB Joe Williams
Williams got some much needed experience towards the end of last season when Utah workhorse Devontae Booker was out with an injury. No one can replace the dominant Booker, but Williams is going to try.
As one of the fastest players on the team, Williams has bulked up and ready to face the competition head on. Through Head Coach Kyle Whittingham may evenly distribute touches, Williams should most likely be the go-to guy when it’s all said and done.
Last year he totaled 477 yards (4.6 yards per carry) and should eclipse that in 2016 behind a line that returns all their starters.
Stats
- UCLA leads the overall series 11-3
- Aside from pass defense (9th), Utah was ranked 1st or 2nd in the Pac-12 in all other team defensive stats in 2015.
- Kyle Whittingham is 95-46 in his time at Utah
Next: Offenses Vs Defenses
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
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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
Final Analysis
This is going to be a tough game for both teams. There is no doubt that it will once again go down to the final five minutes. Expect a lot of pushing and shoving at the line of scrimmage which could set of some emotions.
Honestly, I cannot see how UCLA and Utah have not built up more of a rivalry with the way they have played each other since Utah joined the Pac-12. Maybe there is too much respect.
Respect or not, this game should be one of the better ones in the Pac-12. Though it is a midseason contest, a lot will be riding on it and both teams know it.
What will be interesting is if both teams try to use power against the other and wear their opponent down. With that being said, this game could come down to who is the most disciplined.
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Prediction
Like always, this is going to be an all-out battle between two of the top South Division teams. What it will not be like is the 2014 game when Utah had a sack party against UCLA and held off the Bruins for the upset. Though it will be similar, the UCLA Football team should have the home, talent and coaching advantage to pull off the win.
Utah 14 – UCLA 21