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UCLA Football: Three keys to victory over the Utah Utes

By Mike Regalado

PASADENA, CA - OCTOBER 22: Fabian Moreau #10 of the UCLA Bruins breaks up a pass intended for Tim Patrick #12 of the Utah Utes during the second half of a game at the Rose Bowl on October 22, 2016 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - OCTOBER 22: Fabian Moreau #10 of the UCLA Bruins breaks up a pass intended for Tim Patrick #12 of the Utah Utes during the second half of a game at the Rose Bowl on October 22, 2016 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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This Friday, the UCLA football team welcomes Utah to the Rose Bowl. The Utes are one of the hottest teams in the Pac-12 so what do the Bruins have to do to claim a victory?

The UCLA football team had an uncharacteristic game against Arizona last weekend. Well, uncharacteristic when taking into consideration their three previous games where the Bruins showed a tremendous amount a progress.

RELATED: Know Your Opponent – UCLA vs. Utah

If UCLA plays like that against Utah, a team that smothered the Trojans in their last game and limited them to just over 200 total yards, it could be a long day for the Bruins. So how can UCLA avoid this? Let us find out…

1. Get the Run Game Going

Against Arizona, UCLA did a decent job keeping the run game consistent with what they have been producing in recent games. UCLA is averaging 150 yards per game and put up 153 against the Cats. The problem is, they could have had a lot more. In that game, the Bruins had 14 plays go for negative yards and 16 plays go for zero. If a team like Arizona can do that to the Bruins, imagine what Utah can do.

The Utes are not only holding opponents to an insanely low 74.6 rushing yards per game, but they are getting 6.4 tackles for a loss and 2.6 sacks per game. First off, the UCLA O-line has to play their best game of the season and that is not a lot to ask as they have been progressing every week. Beyond that, Chip Kelly has to confuse the hell out of Utah’s front and insert more new plays and formations. On top of that, no matter which QB is good to go between Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Wilton Speight, they need to run, albeit with caution as we can’t afford more injuries.

Related Story. Play call/outcome analysis from the Arizona game. light

2. Limit the Bloody Penalties

What is this, Jim Mora era football? UCLA reverted back to their penalty-laden ways when they faced the Wildcats and it was baffling. Appalling, really. The Bruins had an unprecedented 12 penalties for 103 yards. Before that game, UCLA averaged 6.5 penalties for 56.8 yards. Not great, but something they can handle as opposed to once again hitting the century mark.

The Bruins have to be very disciplined this game and not give the Utes any chance to take advantage of those situations, because if they do, the Bruins will have no chance to get the much needed “W”.

3. The Run Defense Has to Improve. Like, Now.

Another thing UCLA reverted back to was Mora era run defense. UCLA has not been great in this area, but they have been a lot better than the what they were last season. This year they are allowing 193 per game. Against Arizona, they gave up nearly 300. Utah only rushes for 187 yards per game, but if UCLA continues to have the holes they showed against the Wildcats, Utah would easily be able to replicate Arizona’s 289. Maybe more.

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Either way, the Bruins have to have a complete game and not give Utah the edge in all three facets of the game. If UCLA can play the way they did against Washington and Cal, this could be a closer game than anticipated.