The Oregon Ducks (4-3) head down to Pasadena to take on UCLA (3-3) this weekend with both teams looking to reestablish themselves in Pac-12 play. Duck Sports Authority turned to BruinSportsReport.com publisher Edward Lewis to get insights into the game for the Bruin perspective.
What has led to UCLA’s offensive success this year and what parts of it are still works in progress?
There’s really only one answer to this question: Josh Rosen. I cannot overstate how truly special he’s been (last week’s fiasco against Arizona aside). I legitimately think Rosen is either the best player, or certainly one of the three or four best players, that this school has ever seen. When he’s on, like he was early in the year against Texas A&M, Memphis and Hawaii, he can single handedly carry this team without a defense. The rest of the offense finally has some weapons, too.
The receivers, outside of some drops from Jordan Lasley, have been playmakers. Darren Andrews leads the group and is Rosen’s favorite target. The Bruins were delivered a big blow when they lost Caleb Wilson to a foot injury in the Colorado game, and it’s probably not a coincidence they had their worst passing performance in the following game against Arizona last weekend.
But the running game is back on track with Soso Jamabo, Bolu Olorunfunmi and Jalen Starks all having big games last week and the offensive line finally starting to throw its weight around. If UCLA had even a remotely average defense, this team could be 8-4 or 9-3 because of the offense alone.
How have teams been taking advantage of a Bruin defense that has been giving up over 40 yards per game so far?
Honestly, all they do is run the football. The list of mediocre quarterbacks that UCLA has played this season is astounding, yet they’ve struggled in all those games simply because UCLA can’t stop the run. It’s funny because it’s a similar script this weekend. Oregon has a QB that can’t throw but a stable of backs that can run. That’s been the theme for UCLA opponents almost all season, yet the Bruins are just 3-3. That should tell you all you need to know about how bad this run defense is.
What does this game mean to the UCLA team and their fans?
It doesn’t mean too much in terms of Pac-12 title hopes or anything like that. UCLA fans lost that dream a couple weeks ago. Because after Oregon, UCLA has a brutal stretch of games featuring USC, Utah, Cal and Arizona State – all teams who have been ranked or could be ranked this season. So this game kind of represents the last “winnable” one on the schedule (if UCLA can’t figure out its run defense). If the Bruins don’t win this one, a middle-of-the-road bowl game is probably out of the question, which is crazy to say for a team led by Rosen.
What is the Bruin injury situation heading into this game with Oregon?
Other than Caleb Wilson, as far as key starters go, UCLA should have everybody ready to go. They’re also expected to get back five-star pass rusher Jaelan Phillips from his ankle injury, and outside linebacker DeChaun Holiday is likely to see an increased role now that his shoulder is healthier too. Injuries shouldn’t be a factor for UCLA in this one.
What is your score prediction and why?
I think I have UCLA winning this solely because Oregon’s quarterback situation is that bad. I’m sure Oregon will still get its 200 yards rushing because UCLA just can’t stop the run, but the Bruins’ secondary has been stingy and I’d imagine Braxton Burmeister will have a tough time getting through it. I’ll say:
UCLA 34, Oregon 27.
