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Know Your Opponent: UCLA Football vs. Washington 2018

By Mike Regalado

SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 22: Jake Browning #3 of the Washington Huskies throws the ball against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first quarter during their game at Husky Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 22: Jake Browning #3 of the Washington Huskies throws the ball against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first quarter during their game at Husky Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – SEPTEMBER 15: Myles Gaskin #9 of the Washington Huskies celebrates his first half touchdown against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – SEPTEMBER 15: Myles Gaskin #9 of the Washington Huskies celebrates his first half touchdown against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images) /

Washington Offense (cont.)

Washington also has a two-head beast in charge of the running game as Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed are both making things a living hell for rush defenses. Gaskin is getting more reps and is leading the team in yards with 438 (4.5 yds/carry) but is Ahmed is making a slightly bigger impact whenever he touches the ball (7.1 yds/carry). Solid RBs, check!

Either way, the Bruins are going to have their hands full with whoever is running the ball. UCLA has made improvements in rush defense, but things might get out of hand with a team that knows how to move their offense forward.

2018 Washington Offensive Stats

Total – 438.8 | Rushing – 165.4 | Passing – 273.4 | Scoring – 28.8

On top of all that, UCLA has been taking some hits with injuries. Linebackers Mique Juarez, Jaelan Phillips, and Je’Vari Anderson are all injured and it is taking a toll on the LB group. Teams now know to work the middle of the field with the Bruins.

If a team runs, they just need to try and make it to the second level (which should not be a problem with their offensive line (solid O-Line, check!)) and they will have a lot of room to work with. If they are looking to pass, all they need to do is try and create space in the middle of the field. If UCLA’s secondary creeps up, teams will look to make the long connection.

With UCLA in such turmoil, it seems like the Huskies will not have to work hard to get past the Bruins’ defense. UCLA is suffering and right now they just want to have a good showing, but with Browning, Gaskin Ahmed and Fuller leading the offense, UCLA might simply be a punching bag in this contest.