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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) /
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SEATTLE, WA – NOVEMBER 04: Head coach Chris Petersen of the Washington Huskies looks on against the Oregon Ducks at Husky Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – NOVEMBER 04: Head coach Chris Petersen of the Washington Huskies looks on against the Oregon Ducks at Husky Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

Washington Special Teams

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Washington may have a good offense and a good defense, but special teams was inconsistent. In the field goal department, they only connected on 13-of-22 attempts. With only a 59.1% success rate, they were the worst in the conference.

Punting was a lot stronger as the Huskies averaged 37.6 yards on each punt, good for 5th best in the conference. The return game is probably the strongest among special teams. UW had a Pac-12-leading 17.6 yards per punt return and was 5th in kickoff returns with 22.5. They also return the primary returners, Aaron Fuller (punts) and Salvon Ahmed (kickoffs).

Final Analysis

UCLA has a long way to go and though Chip Kelly will eventually get them there, but this year, the Huskies will beat down on the Bruins. Washington will field one of the best in the Chris Petersen era while UCLA is just getting going.

The scenario that quickly comes to mind is that the Bruins will hang with the Huskies through halftime with a score of Washington 13, UCLA 10. But the second half will heavily favor Washington. UCLA puts up a fight but UW uses the talents of Browning and Gaskin to blow past the Bruins.

UCLA will use this as a teachable moment as they move forward and head north… to Cal.

Next: UCLA Football: 10 bold predictions for the 2018 season

Prediction

Washington 33 – UCLA 17