UCLA Football Game Preview: Utah Utes

THIS WEEK’S OPPONENT:  Utah Utes, Rose Bowl – Saturday, October 13, 12 noon, Fox Channel 11

LINE:  UCLA by 8

I’m not going to sugarcoat things regarding the UCLA football program’s upcoming game against this Utah Ute program from Salt Lake City:

This is an absolute must win. For both teams.  

September 15, 2012; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Brett Hundley (17) runs the ball against the Houston Cougars during the game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE

With both the Bruins AND the Utes having two losses in the Pac-12 Conference, a loss by either club will pretty much mean the end of any hopes for the South Division title and a berth in the Pac-12 championship game.

Not only that, as far as UCLA is concerned another loss would probably mean another season with a sub-par record and dashed hopes for a post-season bowl berth, as they will face four teams starting on October 27 – Arizona State, Arizona, USC and Stanford – that will be their toughest challenges.

As well as Washington State on the road in Pullman, which is always a tough trip.

In short, the Bruins – and the Utes as well – will be playing for their seasonal lives this Saturday.

At the beginning of the year this matchup was tagged as a showdown for second place behind USC.

Being that Utah has already lost to the Trojans and UCLA, well, let’s not rehash that embarrassing, shades-of-the-Rick Neuheisel-era performance in Berkeley their last game, this won’t end up being the showdown that people thought save for the fact that for the loser of this upcoming contest, their season will be more or less over.

At 2-3 overall with a loss to Utah State among their setbacks, the Utes have met some bad misfortune in that their starting quarterback, Jordan Wynn, had to medically retire after their second game due to ongoing shoulder issues, leaving the baton to Jon Hays, who with a 59% completion rate and six touchdown passes in four games has done a decent job.

Running back John White IV, who is considered one of the best at his position in the conference if not the best, has had ankle problems that has led to him having disappointing numbers – 301 total yards on the ground and an average of 75 yards per game.

Being that Utah’s leading receivers have but 14 catches on the season and that White was suposed to be their go-to guy, that leaves UCLA with a defensive focus of stopping White and their running game while making sure that Hays gets pressured – and if they try the short passing game like Cal did, being sure that they contain it.

If the Bruins do that – without committing penalties and giving up long plays as the defense has given up nine passes of 31 or more yards, with five of them going for scores, in their last three games (are you listening Sheldon Price and Aaron Hester?) – they should be fine.

The Ute defense will be a concern, particularly one guy: defensive lineman Star Lotulelei, who the way people are talking about him is the second coming of Reggie White who is practicaly assured of being a first round pick in the NFL draft next spring. His five tackles for loss leads the team and he has forced two fumbles.

Lotulelei has only one sack on the year, but that’s most likely due to offensive lines double teaming the 6′ 4″, 320 lb. senior.

As the Bruins’ o-line is an issue, with three freshman starting there and quarterback Brett Hundley (who must make better decisions to avoid being intercepted like he was four times in his last outing) not getting good protection as of late, containing Lotulelei will be the biggest challenge Jim Mora’s team will face to date.

A key to the UCLA offense will be to establish their running game more than they did against Cal, to get some pressure off of Hundley and to get some balance to the attack. Not only does Johnathan Franklin need to be used more, Damien Thigpen and Jordon James must get some reps.

And outside of Shaquelle Evans, the receivers MUST hold on to the ball and not drop throws!

Most of all the main keys for the Bruins on Saturday will be this:

1.  AVOID TURNOVERS!

and…

2.  DRASTICALLY CUT DOWN ON THE PENALTIES!!

The face masks and pass interferences (ahem, Hester and Price), along with the false starts, fumbles and everything else that has maimed UCLA absolutely and positively cannot happen against Utah, or else it will be a long afternoon for Bruin Nation.

To put it simply, this game will serve as a turning point for the Bruins.

By roughly 5:00 or 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, I will have a much better idea as to how the 2012 season will go for UCLA’s football team.

In other words, by this coming Saturday night, I will know.