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Know Your Opponent: UCLA Football vs. Washington State

By Mike Regalado

October 8, 2016; Stanford, CA, USA; Washington State Cougars wide receiver River Cracraft (21) catches a touchdown pass against Stanford Cardinal safety Zach Hoffpauir (10) during the fourth quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
October 8, 2016; Stanford, CA, USA; Washington State Cougars wide receiver River Cracraft (21) catches a touchdown pass against Stanford Cardinal safety Zach Hoffpauir (10) during the fourth quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 7, 2015; Pullman, WA, USA; Washington State Cougars safety Isaac Dotson (31) and Washington State Cougars linebacker Peyton Pelluer (47) celebrate a stop against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the second half at Martin Stadium. The Cougars won 30-24. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Pullman, WA, USA; Washington State Cougars safety Isaac Dotson (31) and Washington State Cougars linebacker Peyton Pelluer (47) celebrate a stop against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the second half at Martin Stadium. The Cougars won 30-24. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /

Washington State Defense

There has been a lot of attention to detail with the Washington State offense, and not so much with the defense, which held the Cougars back in Leach’s first few season in the Palouse. Last season that changed as Alex Grinch took over as defensive coordinator.

Grinch has embedded a system that is more aggressive and works to his players strengths. Surprisingly, they have become one of the better rush defense teams in the Pac-12. Currently, they are 2nd in conference in rushing yards allowed per game with 116.8. That is going to be a big advantage for WSU against UCLA’s run which can only muster 99.2 yards per game.

The Washington State defensive line, is legit. They get into the backfield, disrupt quarterbacks and are generally pains in the arses of offensive lines. Here is an example why… DE Hercules Mata’afa had 10 tackles the last two games. In his assault against Stanford, he had two sacks, one of which was a safety. AGAINST STANFORD! Mata’afa leads the team in sacks (3) and tackles for a loss (8.5).

But let us also talk about a few other key defenseman, like leading tackler LB Payton Pelluer who is active in the open field and is very reactive in helping his teammates. With the defensive line constanly moving, that gives Pelluer and his linebacking crew more time to make plays off the ball. Pelluer leads the team with 32 tackles.

One of his partners in crime, LB Isaac Dotson, has been active in coverage. Aside from having the third most tackles on the team (24), Dotson is second on the defense in interceptions with two on the year.

If UCLA is going to try to win this game, they are going to need to navigate through a swarming defense. It is a good thing they have already been challenged with that by the likes of Texas A&M and Arizona State. But there is also that little problem of who is going to play quarterback for UCLA.