UCLA Football 2017: 3 questions before the Bruins take on Oregon

The UCLA Football team returns home after starting out 3-3 to take on the Oregon Ducks. The Bruins have had a few disappointments this season, will that change or can they change their trajectory as we ask 3 questions for this week.

After the Arizona Wildcats and quarterback Khalil Tate ran wild against the Bruins last week, the UCLA Football (3-3) team returns to The Rose Bowl to face the Oregon Ducks (4-3).

Will this be another game where the Bruins give up an outrageous amount of rushing yards? Let’s answer this question and a few others in this week’s edition of “3 questions.”

1. UCLA will once against face a tough rushing attack in Oregon. Is there any way to stop the Ducks?

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The Bruins’ rushing defense was once again demolished last week as Arizona ran for 457 yards on the ground. Wildcats’ QB Khalil Tate was the main culprit as he alone ran for 230 yards.

This week UCLA will face a Ducks’ offense that, after the loss of starting quarterback Justin Herbert, has become run heavy. In their past two games, Oregon has run the ball 86 times for 408 yards (that’s 4.7 yards a carry).

Last week, the two Ducks’ quarterbacks threw only 13 times. Look for running back Royce Freeman to once again take the majority of the offensive load. That’s bad news for a Bruins’ defense that is now ranked 129th in rushing defense.

Against the Bruins, I could see the Ducks keeping the ball on the ground on at least 80% of their plays. This will not only hit the Bruins’ defense in their weakest spot but it will also limit the chance of mistakes by true freshman quarterback Braxton Burmeister.

2. Are the Bruins already in “must win” territory if they hope to become bowl eligible?

After six games, the Bruins find themselves in the land of mediocrity. To get to the magic bowl eligible number of six wins, the Bruins need three more victories. Unfortunately they still face Washington, Utah, and USC – all three games on the road. Assuming they lose those three games, the Bruins must win their remaining games against Arizona State, Cal and, you guessed it, Oregon.

That means a loss on Saturday will set the Bruins on an uphill climb to reach that sixth win.

3. Can the Bruins’ defense get a turnover?

The Bruins’ defense under Coach Tom Bradley has been a big disappointment this season. Not only are they giving up an astronomical amount of points, they can’t seem to force their opponents into any costly mistakes. Through six games, the Bruins are averaging 0.8 takeaways a game. Combine that with the 2.5 turnovers UCLA is giving away per game and it’s not too difficult to see why the Bruins have struggled defensively this year.

Next: Know Your Opponent - UCLA vs. Oregon

A takeaway or two against Oregon would go a long way to not only boost the morale of the defense but give UCLA’s defense a break.