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UCLA Football: Behind Enemy Lines, Getting To Know The Utah Utes

By Andrew Goodman

Nov 21, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; UCLA Bruins wide receiver Thomas Duarte (18) cannot make the catch between Utah Utes defensive backs Evan Eggiman (31) and Marcus Williams (20) 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 Thomas Duarte (18) cannot make the catch between Utah Utes defensive backs Evan Eggiman (31) and Marcus Williams (20) during the second half at Rice-Eccles Stadium. UCLA won 17-9. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
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The UCLA Football team kickoff this Saturday at 1PM in the Rose Bowl against the 19th ranked Utah Utes and it is a crucial game for both.

The UCLA Football team is searching for any positive signs to build off of, but they have been very difficult to come by. It won’t get any easier as the Utah Utes will present a colossal challenge for the Bruins.

Utah comes into the contest against UCLA with a 6-1 record, including 3-1 in the Pac-12 with their only blemish coming against the Cal Bears.

Once again, Utah is anchored by their tenacious defense. They are only giving up 18 points per game and holding opposing offenses to a meager 5.7 yards per play.

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Another important stat on Utah’s defense is that they allow opposing teams to rush for 130 yards per game, good for 26th in the country.

It is unclear who will start at quarterback for UCLA, but either Josh Rosen or Mike Faufal will have a huge hill to climb against one of the best defenses in the PAC 12.

Utah Utes defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley loves to get pressure into the backfield, which has resulted in 20 sacks already this season which is only 4 behind Washington for the lead nationally.

This is a very tough matchup for the UCLA offensive line. The Bruins really struggled last week against Washington State’s defensive front, it should be no different this weekend.

Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham always seems to find a way to put together a defense that just dominates, credit must be given to him as well.

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UCLA has the defense to keep themselves in the game, but again it will be up to the Bruins offense to hold their own weight.