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Know Your Opponent: UCLA Football vs BYU Cougars

By Michael Chavez

Sep 10, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake reacts to a fumble recovery in the first quartet against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake reacts to a fumble recovery in the first quartet against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /
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BYU Defense

The Cougars fielded the 60th ranked defense last year and despite losing their top defensive lineman to the NFL draft this off season, field a strong unit again in 2016. Harvey Langi who last year was the middle linebacker has moved to a hybrid OLB/DE role in the multiple BYU front. He has been replaced by do-it-all Butch Pau’u.

BYU doesn’t lack for big play linebackers and that unit is the strength of their defense with athletic monster Fred Warner not only making plays in the run game but also being split out to cover wide receivers.

In the backend the Cougars field a hard hitting group but one that also will gamble in coverage which can result in some big plays getting through. Thus far this BYU team hasn’t played a quarterback that’s even close to the caliber of Josh Rosen and that should be cause for concern.

Next: UCLA Football: Kickoff Time Announced for Stanford Game

This unit is led by last year’s interception leader Kai Nacua who is also a fearsome hitter. His running mate Micah Hannemann doesn’t shy away from contact either and often both will drop into the box much like another linebacker.

This defense will test the UCLA offensive line given their size but doesn’t have the athletes to match up with the Bruins if they can get the running game going. The weakness of this defense I feel is directly up the the middle so despite nose tackle Merrill Taliauli occupying two gaps, the Bruins can have success with their interior run game.

Did you know: Sohpomore Quarterback Koy Detmer Jr. is the nephew of OC Ty Detmer.

Next: Prediction