Know Your Opponent: UCLA Football vs. Oregon 2018

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EUGENE, OR – OCTOBER 13: Quarterback Jake Browning #3 of the Washington Huskies is hit by defensive lineman Austin Faoliu #99 of the Oregon Ducks as he passes the ball in the first half of the game at Autzen Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Eugene, Oregon. The Ducks won the game 30-27. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

Oregon Defense

This is another disappointing area for Oregon. As much as Cristobal and Herbert were expected to shine, the same was expected of Jim Leavitt’s defense. So far, they have underachieved considerably. The Ducks are allowing 379.5 yards per game (58th in the nation) and 28.4 points (T-74th, coincidentally with Willie Taggart’s Florida State team).

What compounds their troubles is the fact that the defense has also incurred several injuries, especially in the last few weeks. Oregon has been without key members of their defense in the last few weeks, DE Austin Faoliu, LB Kaulana Apelu, and LB Isaac Slade-Matautia. Still, there is enough talent on that side of the ball to give Oregon a chance to slow down UCLA’s offense.

"DID YOU KNOW? Oregon’s first conference championship dates back to 1919 when the Pac-12 was the Pacific Coast Conference? They would not win it again until 2000."

Up front, the Ducks have a lot of talent. They will hold a team back, but do not get into the backfield much. They are averaging 5.1 tackles for a loss and 2.3 sacks per game. That has taken a step back in the last two games (both losses) as they have averaged one sack and 4.5 TFLs.

If Faoliu cannot go, then the Ducks’ line will rely on Gary Baker, Jordan Scott, and the edge man Jalen Jelks to get things done. Jelks is the main threat as he is 4th on the team in tackles (39) and second on the team in TFLs (5.0) and sacks (3.5).

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Things get a little thicker with the linebacking crew who is led by Troy Dye who is first in tackles (70), has 3.5 tackles for a loss, 3 pass breakups, and one interception, but he is not the only one UCLA has to try and stay away from. Justin Hollins is another LB who will terrorize his opposition. He is an aggressive player that will run all over the field to get after the ball. He is third in tackles (40), but first in TFLs (9.0), sacks (4.0) and tied for second in pass breakups (6).

2018 Oregon Defensive Stats

Total – 379.5 | Rushing – 136.3 | Passing – 243.3 | Scoring – 28.4

If the first two levels of Oregon’s defense can’t keep things down, then they might be in trouble if UCLA goes to the third. Still, the Ducks might as well be renamed the Ballhawks as they have 12 interceptions on the season (T-8th in the nation) and 42 pass breakups. The problem here is giving up so many yards.

A player the Bruins want to stay away from is Ugochukwu Amadi who is a stellar athlete that not only defends the air but can get into the backfield and disrupt things. He is fifth on the team in tackles (34) and tied for first in INTs (3) and tied for second breakups (6). Thomas Graham is another player that will give the Bruins’ receivers fits as he leads the team in breakups (7).

It is still undecided who will start for the UCLA football team on Saturday. If Dorian Thompson-Robinson is good to go, I believe the Bruins’ offense will flow a little bit better. They should run right at Oregon whilst intermixing passes to the side, specifically Caleb Wilson and Theo Howard. If Speight is in, Chip Kelly might depend more on the pass, which could benefit them against the Oregon secondary, but might take away a crucial weapon with the run. I guess it all depends on who starts.