Go Joe Bruin
Fansided

UCLA Football Early 2018 Schedule Preview: Washington Huskies

By Mike Regalado

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Head coach Chris Petersen of the Washington Huskies points to the endzone from the sidelines during a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the Playstation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Head coach Chris Petersen of the Washington Huskies points to the endzone from the sidelines during a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the Playstation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
SEATTLE, WA – NOVEMBER 25: Linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven #25 (L) of the Washington Huskies is congratulated by defensive back Jojo McIntosh #14 after making an interception against the Washington State Cougars at Husky Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – NOVEMBER 25: Linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven #25 (L) of the Washington Huskies is congratulated by defensive back Jojo McIntosh #14 after making an interception against the Washington State Cougars at Husky Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

Washington Defense

Another thing that will keep Washington relevant in 2018 is their defense. Washington was the creme of the crop in the Pac-12 as they topped almost every major defensive category. That will continue this season as they return eight players, though they will have to do without the services of the dynamic Vita Vea, who is now going to terrorize offenses in the NFL.

Upfront, senior Greg Gaines and junior Benning Potoa’e bring experience and consistency to the defensive line as they look to keep Washington as the best rush defense team in the conference, holding opponents to just about 100 yards per game.

The monster in the middle is LB Ben Burr-Kirven who is a very smart football player. He is methodical and patient which makes him a dangerous weapon in UW’s defense. He returns as the team’s leader in tackles with 84 total (4 TFL). He will again be matched up with LB Tevis Bartlett (48 tkls, 12 TFL) as they patrol the middle of the field.

Washington 2017 Defensive Stats

Total Defense Passing Defense Rushing Defense Scoring Defense
 298.0 (1st)  197.2 (3rd) 100.9 (1st) 16.1 (1st)

( ) – denotes ranking in the TEAM CONFERENCE

It gets even better for the defense as they return all five starters from last year’s secondary: S Taylor Rupp, S Jojo McIntosh, NB Myles Bryant, CB Byron Murphy and CB Jordan Miller. Together, they accounted for 205 tackles, which translates to 23.4% of Washington’s total last season. With their talent and more importantly experience, this group will continue to be the best in the Pac-12.

So how is UCLA going to get around this? If they can find a way to do that, they are going to have to chip away (no pun in tended) at the defense. Use the run to exploit (any) holes in the line. Bombard the middle of the field with a lot of quick passes and slants. But most importantly, Kelly has to put the Bruins in position to succeed individually as he will have to concentrate on the match ups.