ASU Football: A Look at UCLA

Thursday night, the ASU football team hosts UCLA in a nationally televised game with huge PAC-12 South implications.  In the last two seasons, the winner of this game went on to be the South champs and play in the PAC-12 championship game.

The Bruins of Late

This UCLA team entered the season with a lot of national hype.  Even with the departure of All-conference pass rusher, Anthony Barr (NFL), the Bruins were picked to finish in the top ten nationally with several experts picking them to play in the final four at the season’s end.  Most of that hype is surrounded by UCLA’s strong finish last season and the fact that QB Brett Hundley decided to return this season.

However, even though the Bruins are 3-0, it could be argued that they have under-achieved so far this season.  Most people predicted that UCLA would have steamrolled over Virginia and Memphis and probably beat Texas handily.  That didn’t happen.  UCLA escaped their game against Virginia.  They scored one offensive touchdown against the Cavaliers and basically stole that game with three defensive touchdowns.  They earned it, but they didn’t play very well.

Their home opener against visiting Memphis was nearly a disaster.  While the offense got on track and scored 42 points, their defense gave up 35 in what turned out to be a pretty entertaining game.  Finally, last weekend, they beat Texas 20-17 in a nail biter that featured some sloppy play by both teams.  Throw in the fact that QB Brett Hundley had to leave that game early because of an elbow injury and you’ve got some nervous UCLA fans.  Their 3-0 start is not as convincing as a lot of people predicted.

The recent struggles for UCLA can be narrowed down to two main areas.  First is the offensive line.  Last year, that unit was young.  They still are, but one would assume that they had matured and improved their technique and schemes.  But this O-line is still letting a lot of pressure get to QB Hundley.  He has been hurried, knocked down, sacked and forced to tuck the ball and run way too often to have a legitimate and potent offensive attack.

Secondly, their defense has been inconsistent.  That defense is talented.  But they are up and down with their ability to cover receivers and get to the quarterback.  They have been particularly ineffective on third down.  They just can’t seem to get off the field the way a championship team should.  It won’t help matters that their returning safety, Randall Goforth will miss the rest of the season because of a recent injury.

To be fair, the ASU Sun Devils has not looked like world-beaters in their three games, either.  Even though ASU is 3-0, they have had their own struggles on defense.  They gave up 545 yards against Colorado in their last contest.  The high-octane passing game has been inconsistent as well.  Now, with third year starting QB Taylor Kelly out and back up Mike Bercovici in, one would have to assume that the ASU offense will not be quite the same.

So, the stage is set for some drama.  Two good teams that are playing below their expectations, yet still extremely talented and well-coached, will have to slug it out try to exert their will on each other.  It should be entertaining.

Tomorrow, Devils in Detail will take a closer look at the mechanics of the UCLA offense under the direction of offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone, as well as discuss the UCLA quarterback situation.