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Know Your Opponent: UCLA Football vs. Arizona Wildcats

By Mike Regalado

Sep 26, 2015; Tucson, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins running back Paul Perkins (24) scores a touchdown during the second quarter against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2015; Tucson, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins running back Paul Perkins (24) scores a touchdown during the second quarter against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 19, 2015; Albuquerque, NM, USA; Arizona Wildcats cornerback Cam Denson (3) celebrates with safety Paul Magloire Jr. (14) and Arizona Wildcats safety Anthony Lopez (28) after making an interception in the final minute of the game against the New Mexico Lobos in the 2015 New Mexico Bowl at University Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2015; Albuquerque, NM, USA; Arizona Wildcats cornerback Cam Denson (3) celebrates with safety Paul Magloire Jr. (14) and Arizona Wildcats safety Anthony Lopez (28) after making an interception in the final minute of the game against the New Mexico Lobos in the 2015 New Mexico Bowl at University Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

Arizona Defense

Arizona definitely relies on their offense to win games because their defense has a lot of work to do.

Head Coach Rich Rodriguez wanted to change up the defensive scheme this season and brought in three assistants.

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Marcel Yates was lured away from Boise State to take over the defensive coordinator position and has been looking to implement a more attacking defensive style.

The process is taking some time as the Arizona defense is in the bottom half of several defensive categories in the Pac-12. With players learning a new system and going from a 3-3-5 formation to a 4-2-5, some growing pains are bound to happen.

So far, those pains are occurring at a very slow pace. Currently Arizona is 10th in the conference in total defense as they are giving up 454.5 yards per game. In defending the pass they come in at 19th (256.2 ypg) and against the run they are 11th (198.2 ypg).

If that is not shocking, then try to comprehend the Wildcats giving up 352 yards on the ground to Washington. If there was anytime for the Bruins to try an implement a dominant run game, this contest against Arizona would be the one to do it,