Photo Courtesy: Michael Li
Game Info
Colorado Buffaloes vs. #24 UCLA Bruins
Saturday – October 31 – 2:00 pm CT
TV: PAC12
Rose Bowl – Pasadena, CA
Records before the game
Colorado Buffaloes (4-4, 1-3 Pac-12)
UCLA Bruins (5-2, 2-2 Pac-12)
Last week’s win was awesome for the Buffs but this week will be a huge challenge for the team. Now, I try to be as impartial as possible but UCLA is a very tough team. Every week the Colorado Buffaloes defense faces a really good quarterback and every week they struggle with containing the pass. The Buffaloes offense has their own problems with a stingy Bruin D-line. The Bruins pride themselves on stopping the run. Let’s look at the keys to victory over the Bruins.
Buffaloes Defense
Quarterback Josh Rosen is the key to a victory. He’s already passed for 1969 yards to a variety of receivers. You can’t pinpoint who’s going to be his go to guy because the receiving core is talented from three freshman to four seniors on the outside. Jordan Payton and Thomas Duarte have over 400 yards receiving each and a thousand combined. UCLA’s rushing attack is just as deadly. They have four backs with over 200 yards rushing. Leading the ground attack is Paul Perkins with 754 yards and he missed two games due to injury. This offense is never stagnant because they have play makers everywhere! The Buffaloes D-Line, linebackers and secondary has to come out and set the tone in this game. If not, they will get blown out in the first half!
Buffaloes Offense
Quarterback Sefo Liufau is doing his job point blank. He needs help from his O-line. Although the line is patched up from left to right doesn’t mean that they can’t hold their own. Phillip Lindsay, Christian Powell and Michael Adkins II have to be effective running on the outside gaining yards away from the interior of UCLA D-line. The Bruins strength is their interior d-line. The outside is wide open to exploit because the Bruins corners are horrible open field tacklers. The receivers can’t drop easy passes from Liufau in the red zone. With Nelson Spruce in the slot and Shay Fields on the outside, these kids can score at anytime but dropped passes has been the Buffs curse! The key is first, catching and securing the ball and then turning up field for positive yards.
Prediction
The first quarter will tell the tell. If the Buffs can get a 7 point lead or even tie the score in the first quarter then they will have a chance. If not, they will get blown out in the Rose Bowl. The Buffaloes need this game to stay on track for a bowl game in December. Buffaloes 27 – UCLA 21 … Place your bets now!
