Go Joe Bruin
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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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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

There is a reason why Washington has the best scoring defense in the nation. Not just the Pac-12, the nation. Losing key defensive players might have affected their production, but they have so much talent that they have very little drop-off.

Let us go back to the BYU game for a second. The Cougars are a team that averages around 295 total yards per game. Washington limited them to 194 yards. BYU also scores just over 21 points a game. They did not get into the end zone until the last minute of the game.

If the Huskies can do that to the #20 in the nation, there will be more bloodshed when they face the Bruins.

"DID YOU KNOW? Former Husky Marching Band Director Bill Bissell came up with the idea for “The Wave” back in 1981. Yeah, so blame him for one of the worst sports traditions."

Limiting UCLA’s run game might not be that difficult. The Bruins have a makeshift offensive line which could potentially be without starter Justin Murphy because of a knee injury. That will not help the Bruins are who only gaining 135.8 rushing yards per game. That is just over what UW is limiting.

Again, going back to the BYU game, UW was able to get 2 sacks and 8 tackles for a loss. This is a stat line that I would not be surprised if Washington repeated. Or improved on. UCLA QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson occasionally succumbs to oncoming pressure and often moves backward when pass rushers break free of UCLA’s O-line. Not only does this give UCLA negative rushing yards, but it cancels out any potential passing plays.

2018 Washington Defensive Stats

Total – 281.0 | Rushing – 125.8 | Passing – 155.2 | Scoring – 11.6

The Bruins are not having the best of luck in the passing department either. Despite a good first half against Colorado, UCLA did not look good in the second. DTR was making errant and inaccurate passes and had the offense go three and out on several occasions.

They will most likely repeat that, albeit for the entire game, especially with Washington’s stellar defensemen LB Ben Burr-Kirven and DB Myles Bryant. But actually, the defense is full of talented players and they will all give UCLA a hard time. The Bruins could barely sustain drives before this game and it will be even tougher against one of the top defenses in the nation.