Keys to the game: UCLA

What are your keys to the game? Max is three, and they should be things that, should all happen, guarantee us a good shot at winning. And scoring more points than them is immediate grounds for a down vote.



1. Bronco finds a way to get pressure on Rosen early and often, without compromising pass coverage. An early bone-rattler will do our pass defense a world of good.

2. Plus turnover margin. Momentum is huge, especially on the road, and nothing swings momentum like a turnover.

3. Sustained drives. I'd like to see at least 3 75+ yard drives. That means we're running well, setting up manageable 3rd downs, and giving our defense a breather. It should also help us win the field position battle, which can decide the game all by itself.



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Tanner has to be even smarter and not force the ball which leads to interceptions.



We need to out-physical UCLA. I mean really knock them around. Especially on Defense.



Keep the game close, like within 10 points. Can't play too far from behind.



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Pressure the QB. Rosen has to be looking over his shoulder all game.



Run game. We have to get yardage on the ground. As awesome as Mangum is he doesn't have the consistency yet to deliver pass after pass.



Penalties. Can't give UCLA any free yards.



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1. Win the turnover battle.

2. Establish a 100+ yard rushing game.

3. Sack Rosen 3 times.



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Defensive Keys



1- Keep UCLA's rushing to under 120 yds

2- Kickoff coverage has to be outstanding, we know at sea level the kickoff's will not get into the endzone so special teams will have to be very sound.

3- The defense needs to wrap up instead of trying for the "big hit".

There is IMHO one and only one key to this game: BYU's run defense. It all hinges right there.



If BYU cannot keep the yards per run closer to 3 than 4, then here is what happens:



1. UCLA's offense maintains sustained drives and scores often. 28 points in the first half, and 45 by the end of the game unless the cougs keep up with them, then it might get even uglier.



2. Tanner has to take even more chances. Maybe he's not lucky, maybe he's that good and his receivers are even better, so no problem, the chanciness will work out. This could happen but it is a real stretch of the imagination. The more chances he takes, the more likely he is to get intercepted, get sacked, and get injured.



3. BYU would have to rely on turnovers and lots of luck on offense to keep up. Again, it could happen, but it would be so unusual and if you think the last two weeks looked lucky, what would have to happen under those circumstances would be nothing short of miraculous.



I think the only way BYU wins is to contain the run. The surest way to do that, however, is to leave the corners man-to-man once in a while. Rosen will be watching for this, but I think there is a chance the corners can shut them down anyway. If you listen to the safeties talk, you'll hear them praise our current corners. That's a big deal because no one has praised the corners from a BYU squad in a few years. Could it be that these guys are actually unsung heros as cover men? If so, BYU has a good chance to win the game in Pasadena, because good cover means stopping the run. If the run is ineffective, then UCLA will be forced to make it a game of Josh vs. Tanner.



I like our chances in that match up.

1. Field position will be critical. Give UCLA short fields and they will make BYU pay. Linehan and punt game will play a big role.



2. 3rd down distance. Defense needs to limit UCLA on 1st and 2nd down forcing 3rd ànd long (4+ yards). 3rd down and short situations will be killer. Offense neèds to create the exact opposite scenario.



3. Offensive Line must be assignment sound. Success on offense will hinge on whether or not the O-Line establishes themselves early as a unit to be reckoned with all day long.

Take the refs out of the game by jumping to an early lead and maintaining it. The Pac12 refs will be doing everything in their power to protect their top 10 team.

hawkwing wrote:
Take the refs out of the game by jumping to an early lead and maintaining it. The Pac12 refs will be doing everything in their power to protect their top 10 team.

Amen

1. Our run game needs to get going early.



2. Pass defense/QB pressure need to be on point to create turnovers.



3. Mangum needs to be safe with the ball and hit more checkdown and underneath routes when they're open.

I never understood why the NCAA just doesnt make it so every game has an impartial crew. Especially when you have notoriously biased crews in the Pac 12.

Is it just me or does it seem like everybody is assuming that BYU doesn't have any chance in this game and they are completely outclassed by UCLA? I have to admit, if somebody made me bet on who I think would win this game (no spread, just who would win), I would choose UCLA; but it wouldn't be a resounding "UCLA all day, BYU doesn't have a chance" like everybody is saying, it's more of a "I could see it going either way but the game's in the Rose Bowl, and UCLA probably has a little more talent, so I guess UCLA."



At this point I don't know how good BYU is, but I really don't know how good UCLA is either. They're 2-0 against teams they were supposed to beat and they looked good doing it, but how good are Virginia and UNLV? We're 2-0 against teams which were supposed to beat us, but how good are Nebraska and BSU? It's so hard to gauge teams this early in the year, but it just seems like our victories are being written off as "luck" or "magic" and UCLA's victories have landed them squarely in the playoffs.



Bottom line, I think this game ends up really close with an outside chance (very outside) that UCLA COMPLETELY underestimates the Cougs and we come out and punch them in the mouth (or the tenders...too soon?).

1. Ball Control - While this is easiest when the run game is working, a short passing game emphasizing the size of our wideouts can accomplish this goal just as well. We need to avoid Anae's tendency to go to the long ball too often.

2. Third down defense - This is another way of saying "get the defense off the field" and is the companion piece to my 1st item. Allowing UCLA to control the ball with their running game will spell doom.

3. Stay close - this is the mantra of every underdog, especially playing on the road. As the game goes on and we as the non-Power 5 road underdog stay close, the home team tightens up and we get looser and play more comfortably. Examples are the Oklahoma game at Dallas and Notre Dame game with Riley Nelson (even though we lost that one, the home team played really tight and nervously).

Keys for BYU:

1. Stop the run. That will put more pressure on Rosen, and more picks for Nacua/DBs.

2. Utilize the tall WR's. Thats probably BYU's greatest asset, and will be a huge mismatch against all BYU's opponents.

3. Give Mangum time to throw, he makes more mistakes under pressure.



Keys for UCLA:

1. Stop the run, force Mangum to beat them (still possible, but without balance, unlikely).

2. Utilize the athletes they have. Mainly on the D-Line to get pressure on Mangum.



This will really come down to the play of the two Freshman quarterbacks. Mangum has the edge because he has played tougher competition. Rosen is still unknown against a decent defense. If BYU comes out on fire and shakes his confidence, they could really stand a chance at a major upset. On the other hand, the same thing could happen to BYU, the first quarter could really set the tone for the game.



My realistic prediction is that BYU definitely covers the spread, but loses the game, as the string of Hail Mary's has to end eventually....



Here's to hoping I'm wrong.

Outside of the standard efficiency, points per possession, holding them under 24 points, and win the field position battle:



1. 3 to 5 explosive plays (20+ yards). This offense is predicated on hitting big plays. This also loosens up the LBs.



2. Tackling and limiting yards after contact. Here in Utah we hear all about how great Booker is, but Perkins is actually the best running back in that conference. Defense needs to wrap up and not give up extra yards.



3. Confuse the QB. Rosen was great against UVA, but was not nearly as good against UNLV. UVA played a ton of man press coverage and brought the house to try and rattle the freshman. UCLA's offensive line is really good and their receivers got open. It's easier to throw against a man defense. BYU plays a lot of zone, but not the same coverage every play. And they do a fairly good job of disguising coverages because they start in the same shell almost every play.



4. Bronson Kaufusi. He needs to be as special as he's been all season long in this game.

IMO, Bronson and Nacua are the real deal. Both were all over the place against Boise St.



Kaufusi was tackling the running back on plays going to the right - from the left end! Reminiscent of Ansah and KVN. Nacua showed his talent and athleticism not only by the 3 INTs, but by weaving and hurdling his way for the 50-yard score. It's nice to have playmakers on the dline and the secondary.



So, my keys for the game are:



1) BYU's defense stopping the run - this forces UCLA to pass (duh!), and more importantly IMO, puts pressure on 18-year old Rosen to be the difference maker - and lead to freshman mistakes...and opportunities for Nacua, Kaufusi and friends.



2) Field position - This is a 2-fer: BYU punt game must flip the field to prevent the UCLA short drive...AND we cannot give up short fields on turnovers. UCLA will capitalize on those opportunities better than Boise. And, the short field the other way around obviously helps BYU to score more points.



3) Offensive Line - Mangum will continue to improve, but still make mistakes. He needs protection and time to limit mistakes triggered by pass rush pressure. Also, Hine showed us that we have a legitimate running back with home run speed...IF the line opens up holes and running lanes. The oline is the key to BYU's offense on Saturday, give Mangum time and get us a running game and BYU's offense will be tough to stop.



FWIW, BYU 31, UCLA 27. Rosen passes for 300 yards and 2 TDs, but throws 2 interceptions. Perkins and other RBs run for 125 yards and a TD. Mangum and Hine have similar numbers, but 1 fewer INT for Mangum. BYU also gets a defensive/special teams score or short field score created by defense/special teams.



This week, it's the BYU DEFENSE that saves the game, stopping UCLA short of a come-from-behind win in the final minutes. BYU still continues the Cardiac Cougs saga, but with that new twist to the storyline.



Ewetes and Dairy Ewetes - and most of the PAC 12 - will continue to contend that BYU's offense and defense are just lucky. The rest of the nation's eyes will be on the next game in Ann Arbor.

YNot wrote:
IMO, Bronson and Nacua are the real deal. Both were all over the place against Boise St.



Kaufusi was tackling the running back on plays going to the right - from the left end! Reminiscent of Ansah and KVN. Nacua showed his talent and athleticism not only by the 3 INTs, but by weaving and hurdling his way for the 50-yard score. It's nice to have playmakers on the dline and the secondary.



So, my keys for the game are:



1) BYU's defense stopping the run - this forces UCLA to pass (duh!), and more importantly IMO, puts pressure on 18-year old Rosen to be the difference maker - and lead to freshman mistakes...and opportunities for Nacua, Kaufusi and friends.



2) Field position - This is a 2-fer: BYU punt game must flip the field to prevent the UCLA short drive...AND we cannot give up short fields on turnovers. UCLA will capitalize on those opportunities better than Boise. And, the short field the other way around obviously helps BYU to score more points.



3) Offensive Line - Mangum will continue to improve, but still make mistakes. He needs protection and time to limit mistakes triggered by pass rush pressure. Also, Hine showed us that we have a legitimate running back with home run speed...IF the line opens up holes and running lanes. The oline is the key to BYU's offense on Saturday, give Mangum time and get us a running game and BYU's offense will be tough to stop.



FWIW, BYU 31, UCLA 27. Rosen passes for 300 yards and 2 TDs, but throws 2 interceptions. Perkins and other RBs run for 125 yards and a TD. Mangum and Hine have similar numbers, but 1 fewer INT for Mangum. BYU also gets a defensive/special teams score or short field score created by defense/special teams.



This week, it's the BYU DEFENSE that saves the game, stopping UCLA short of a come-from-behind win in the final minutes. BYU still continues the Cardiac Cougs saga, but with that new twist to the storyline.



Ewetes and Dairy Ewetes - and most of the PAC 12 - will continue to contend that BYU's offense and defense are just lucky. The rest of the nation's eyes will be on the next game in Ann Arbor.

I have to add Langi to Kaufusi and Nacua. He had a bad 1st half against Nebraska, with some whiffs that turned a likely FG attempt into a momentum-changing TD, but really stepped it up in the second half and continued against Boise. He is now 7th in the nation in sacks, with 3.

DeVon wrote:
Is it just me or does it seem like everybody is assuming that BYU doesn't have any chance in this game and they are completely outclassed by UCLA? I have to admit, if somebody made me bet on who I think would win this game (no spread, just who would win), I would choose UCLA; but it wouldn't be a resounding "UCLA all day, BYU doesn't have a chance" like everybody is saying, it's more of a "I could see it going either way but the game's in the Rose Bowl, and UCLA probably has a little more talent, so I guess UCLA."

I think a lot of fans are simply trying to keep from getting too excited/caught up in the hype machine. Do we have a chance vs UCLA? Absolutely, we're a good football team, but do I think we have a better-than-50% chance of winning? no.



From what we've been able to see through two games, which isn't much, UCLA does look a little better than us. However, a lot of us, while not confident in the win, won't be surprised by a win, either.

redneckjedi wrote:
I have to add Langi to Kaufusi and Nacua. He had a bad 1st half against Nebraska, with some whiffs that turned a likely FG attempt into a momentum-changing TD, but really stepped it up in the second half and continued against Boise. He is now 7th in the nation in sacks, with 3.

Good call!

Stop the run



Score first



Get the run game established early