Coming off a much-needed bye week, UCLA Football goes on the road to face an undefeated Colorado team. Here are the three things that the Bruins need to do to get their first win.
UCLA football is 0-3 as I am sure that you have heard. The slow start has been disappointing especially since slow and Chip Kelly typically doesn’t go together. But here we are, the Bruins are 0-3.
RELATED: Which of the remaining games can the Bruins win?
The good news is that UCLA football is coming off a bye week and Kelly has tape of three games to coach the players up. The bad news? UCLA football is starting Pac-12 play on the road against a Colorado team that could win the Pac-12 South. Here are three things that the Bruins must do to start conference play off on the right foot.
Caleb Wilson must emerge
Tight end Caleb Wilson was a star last season. He racked up 490 yards and 38 catches in just five games before an injury ended his season. Expectations coming into this season were sky high but through three games, he only has 8 catches for 128 yards. Part of the reason for this is that Josh Rosen now plays on Sundays in Arizona.
Another reason is that Wilson has been drawing a lot of attention from opponents. However, the most important security blanket for a young QB is usually a reliable tight end. If UCLA football is going to beat the Buffaloes, Wilson has to give Dorian Thompson-Robinson a consistent threat to work with.
Get the run game untracked
UCLA football has been unable to play quickly on offense. The main culprit for that has been the inability to run the ball. Kelly’s offenses rely on simple concepts dialed up to warp speed and executed. The faster a team goes, the greater the likelihood that the defense makes a mistake and Kelly’s offense takes advantage of that error. To move quickly though, a team must be dialed in and carry out their assignments.
RELATED: Know Your Opponent – UCLA vs. Colorado Preview
That hasn’t quite happened. For every positive play, the offense has immediately followed up with a penalty or a negative play. This is actually normal for a team that is learning to play differently. For the last three to four years, UCLA football has been one of the worst rushing attacks in the country. The first three games have been more of the same. Eventually, the offensive line will gell and the run game will follow. Here’s hoping it happens this week.
Stop the pass
Colorado’s QB Steven Montez is one of the best quarterbacks in the Pac-12. He is averaging 285 yards through the air and is capable of beating teams with his feet. He also has an array of weapons at his disposal. The leader among them is Laviska Shenault Jr., a 6’2 burner who might be the most dangerous wideout in the Pac-12.
Shenault Jr. has 455 receiving yards in three games and already has a 211-yard receiving game. 6’3” wideout Juwan Winfree is returning from injury and causes mismatch issues with his size. In other words, Darnay Holmes and company will have their hands full. It is imperative that UCLA football pressures Montez and if they can do that, they will be able to control the pass.
UCLA football takes on the Colorado Buffaloes on Friday, September 28th at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado.