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Know Your Opponent: UCLA Football vs Colorado Buffaloes

By Michael Chavez

Sep 24, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) warms up prior to the game against the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) warms up prior to the game against the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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October 22, 2016; Stanford, CA, USA; Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Isaiah Oliver (26) celebrates with defensive back Ahkello Witherspoon (23, left) after Oliver intercepted the football against the Stanford Cardinal during the fourth quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
October 22, 2016; Stanford, CA, USA; Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Isaiah Oliver (26) celebrates with defensive back Ahkello Witherspoon (23, left) after Oliver intercepted the football against the Stanford Cardinal during the fourth quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

The Colorado Defense

The Buffaloes are playing winning football because their offense can score but more importantly this defense is shutting teams down. They’re ranked 11th in total defense and are averaging under 19 points a game allowed. That’s a recipe for success.

More from UCLA Bruins Football

Think you can throw on this team? Better guess again. The Buffaloes are holding teams to under 200 yards through the air per game. In fact that number is actually a paltry 178 yards a game. What is even more astonishing is that they’ve been able to maintain that in the pass-happy Pac-12.

That’s because Chidobe Awuzie leads a talented secondary that is athletic and experienced. A big hitter and even bigger playmaker Awuzie is a guy any defensive coordinator would love to have and any offensive coordinator would hate to play.

The run defense, while still nothing to shake a stick at, is where some success can be had.

The front seven is led by senior pass rusher Jimmie Gilbert who can lineup as a defensive end or outside linebacker depending on the call.

Gilbert has steadily improved his sack totals during his time in Boulder and has racked up seven so far this season. More impressively he has forced five fumbles and turnovers are a major key to any victory.