Pac-12 Game Preview: UCLA vs. Washington
After dropping back-to-back games to Stanford and Oregon, the UCLA Bruins seemed to have regained their confidence with consecutive wins over Colorado and Arizona. Now, even with two conference losses, the Bruins are in control of their own destiny as they search for a third straight Pac-12 South title – a quest that continues tonight with a home bout against the Washington Huskies.
Like UCLA, the Huskies also have some positive momentum rolling after two straight wins of their own. However, Washington hasn’t been able to defeat a ranked foe all year, so the No. 13 Bruins and their high-powered offense should present the Huskies with another major challenge.
“It’s going to be a hard-fought ballgame,” Washington coach Steve Sarkisian said, according to ESPN.com. “That’s a good football team at UCLA. It won’t be an easy environment to play in on a Friday night.”
Both teams feature offenses that score more than 35 points per game, but in dealing with a slew of injuries to key personnel recently, the Bruins have gotten creative and have even used versatile linebacker Myles Jack at tailback. It’s a look that the Huskies could see quite a bit of too, considering Jack rushed for 120 yards on just six carries in UCLA’s win over Arizona last week. Then again, Bruins coach Jim Mora might use Jack more sparingly on offense now that he’s showed the conference the ace up his sleeve.
“It worked, but there’s a saturation point,” Mora said. “Everyone is going to want to see this and they think it’s great, but what they forget is coaches are now prepared for it and they’re going to have an answer.”
Unfortunately, Sarkisian’s Huskies haven’t had an answer for any ball carrier lately, as they’ve given up more than 200 rushing yards per game over the last four. That’s a number UCLA definitely likes to see, since it often relies on a steady run game to set up play-action and the passing attack led by Brett Hundley.
Washington will likely focus its offensive attack with the ground game as well. Huskies running back Bishop Sankey is coming off two more 100-plus-yard performances and is entering tonight’s game averaging 145.o yards per game (third in FBS). However, he may have trouble finding the type of running room he is accustom to against UCLA, which features one of the best linebacking corps in the country led by senior standout Anthony Barr.
While Washington has dominated inferior Pac-12 teams, such as Colorado and Cal, it has struggled against teams with speedy athletes and hasn’t played nearly as well away from Husky Stadium. So, look for the Bruins to take control of this game early and cruise to a victory that covers -3 points tonight.
