I know there's going to be a lot more posted about the USC game and in particular I'm really looking forward to fborg's contributions, but I can't help but look ahead to UCLA. With the perpetual first-month caveat that stats don't mean much yet, some things that stand out about UCLA:
On offense, UCLA gets a lot of first downs, 23rd most in the nation, which has contributed to being #30 in time of possession (we are #43). Rosen also throws for a lot of yards, 21st in the nation in team passing offense, efficient or not. And the answer is: not efficient, so far, at #84 in passing efficiency. In general, it's a very unbalanced offense - only 102nd in rushing offense (not sure if there's a disciplinary issue with Jamabo, who didn't suit up yesterday). So far, that has also resulted in some turnovers: 107th in passes intercepted. Seems like an opportunity for Meeks' and Co. to get some big plays. The jury is out on how good the OL is at protecting Rosen - while they're 84th in sacks allowed, playing Texas A&M screws up that sample and UNLV and BYU each only had one sack. [Similar kind of dynamic with tackles for loss allowed.] In total, the offense is only #80 in scoring offense but #52 in total offense.
On defense, UCLA has generated a lot of interceptions, 16th in the nation, and in general the renowned defensive backfield with all those all-conference returners and other talent has lived up to the billing, currently ranking #15 in pass efficiency defense. The front seven hasn't seemed to really capitalize on the advantage, with the team ranking #77 in sacks and an abysmal #123 in tackles for loss. In total, they are #52 in scoring defense and #47 in total defense.
On special teams, they are 105th in kickoff return defense - maybe McCaffrey can break a long one. Things seem better on punting plays. When they punt, they are 19th in net punting and 44th in punt return defense. When opponents punt, they haven't yet made the punt return game a weapon, ranking only 100th in punt returns.
My gut is that we see our third straight game that's not terribly high-scoring. The key for UCLA on offense will be hoping Rosen can keep his output up but much more efficiently by avoiding interceptions. For us, it seems to me like more-of-the-same in terms of our gameplan. Smash them with huge doses of McCaffrey and Love and throw only to the extent we have to keep them honest and manage down and distance. On defense, UCLA needs its star defenders, especially Eddie Vanderdoes, Jayon Brown, and Takkarist McKinley, to have huge days and not let McCaffrey McCaffrey them (I like our odds). Our defense needs to try to take advantage of the unbalanced UCLA offense by trying to emulate Texas A&M in partying in the backfield. If there was ever a game for Mike Tyler to show he deserves a fifth year, this may be it.
Don't want to woof too loudly, but this game scares me less than the USC game.
On offense, UCLA gets a lot of first downs, 23rd most in the nation, which has contributed to being #30 in time of possession (we are #43). Rosen also throws for a lot of yards, 21st in the nation in team passing offense, efficient or not. And the answer is: not efficient, so far, at #84 in passing efficiency. In general, it's a very unbalanced offense - only 102nd in rushing offense (not sure if there's a disciplinary issue with Jamabo, who didn't suit up yesterday). So far, that has also resulted in some turnovers: 107th in passes intercepted. Seems like an opportunity for Meeks' and Co. to get some big plays. The jury is out on how good the OL is at protecting Rosen - while they're 84th in sacks allowed, playing Texas A&M screws up that sample and UNLV and BYU each only had one sack. [Similar kind of dynamic with tackles for loss allowed.] In total, the offense is only #80 in scoring offense but #52 in total offense.
On defense, UCLA has generated a lot of interceptions, 16th in the nation, and in general the renowned defensive backfield with all those all-conference returners and other talent has lived up to the billing, currently ranking #15 in pass efficiency defense. The front seven hasn't seemed to really capitalize on the advantage, with the team ranking #77 in sacks and an abysmal #123 in tackles for loss. In total, they are #52 in scoring defense and #47 in total defense.
On special teams, they are 105th in kickoff return defense - maybe McCaffrey can break a long one. Things seem better on punting plays. When they punt, they are 19th in net punting and 44th in punt return defense. When opponents punt, they haven't yet made the punt return game a weapon, ranking only 100th in punt returns.
My gut is that we see our third straight game that's not terribly high-scoring. The key for UCLA on offense will be hoping Rosen can keep his output up but much more efficiently by avoiding interceptions. For us, it seems to me like more-of-the-same in terms of our gameplan. Smash them with huge doses of McCaffrey and Love and throw only to the extent we have to keep them honest and manage down and distance. On defense, UCLA needs its star defenders, especially Eddie Vanderdoes, Jayon Brown, and Takkarist McKinley, to have huge days and not let McCaffrey McCaffrey them (I like our odds). Our defense needs to try to take advantage of the unbalanced UCLA offense by trying to emulate Texas A&M in partying in the backfield. If there was ever a game for Mike Tyler to show he deserves a fifth year, this may be it.
Don't want to woof too loudly, but this game scares me less than the USC game.
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