UCLA Bruins 6-5 Overall (3-5 Conference)

This Week’s Score: UCLA 23 – Arizona State 13

Next Week’s Opponent: @USC

UCLA is bowl eligible for the first time in the Rick Neuheisel era, and best of all; the team seems to be getting better every week. The Bruins were by no means perfect in their win over Arizona State on Saturday, but they probably would have lost a game like this last season. Instead, UCLA prevailed at the Rose Bowl by playing opportunistic football, especially on defense.

In last season’s meeting with ASU, the Bruins were victims of an astounding four defensive touchdowns, which fueled a 34-9 route for the Devils. The Bruins got sweet revenge this season, as the D forced six Sun Devil turnovers and scored two touchdowns.

It cannot be overstated how valuable DT Brian Price is to this team. I saw him blow up the line of scrimmage multiple times on Saturday, which was instrumental in forcing all of the sacks (4) and turnovers. The linebackers also played as well as they have all season, especially Akeem Ayers who is only a sophomore. Lastly, you have to feel good for CB Alterraun Verner. Verner played his last game at the Rose Bowl, and its fitting that a player who has created so many amazing moments in Pasadena would score on another signature pick six.

The offense failed to score a touchdown against the talented ASU defense, but there were still plenty of positives. I was extremely impressed with UCLA’s ball security, as the Bruins did not turn the ball over once against a D that entered the game ranked first in the Pac-10 in turnovers gained (21).

QB Kevin Prince wasn’t great, but he was efficient (15/31 161 yards, 6 carries 42 yards). How about RB/FB Chane Moline? Like Verner, Moline went out with a bang in his final home game, and his strong inside running was crucial in securing the win (25 carries 85 yards). Finally, I think everyone can now agree that WR Nelson Rosario is a legitimate feature receiver. The gifted sophomore continued to use his strong, physical frame against helpless defensive backs (5 catches 74 yards).

While beating ‘SC is no longer a requirement for postseason eligibility, it would still mean everything for the program. The Trojans are vulnerable right now, and you can bet Rick Neuheisel is hoping to take full advantage.

Arizona State Sun Devils (4-6) vs. UCLA Bruins (5-5)
Saturday, November 21, 1:00 PM PST
Las Vegas Favorite: UCLA -5.0

Sam’s Take (46 – 18):

For most of the 2009 season, Arizona State and UCLA have looked like mirror images of one another. Each team features a very strong defense, an inconsistent offensive line, and most recently, a young quarterback with great promise. The Bruins and Sun Devils also share identical conference records (2-5) with their two Pac-10 wins coming over the lowly Washington schools.

As I look at this game, the biggest difference I see is the current state of the offenses. UCLA has struggled for most of the season offensively, but the unit has begun to make strides. QB Kevin Prince’s confidence seems to be high right now, and he finally has a difference maker to throw to on the outside in WR Nelson Rosario. If RB Derrick Coleman, Milton Knox, or Jonathan Franklin can spark the running game this week, the Bruins may have a chance to crack the stingy Sun Devil D.

Arizona State is looking to rally behind a new starting quarterback this week. Samson Szakacsy will be the third QB to start for the Devils this season, and he is also the most intriguing. Szakacsy is a true dual-threat with skills most suited for the zone-read scheme that Dennis Erickson implemented in the off-season. Against Oregon, Szakacsy demonstrated his ability to keep plays alive by scrambling, a foreign concept for the ASU offense up to that point.

Ultimately, I believe the Bruins will win a tight, hard-fought game this Saturday for two reasons. 1.) It’s senior day in Pasadena, and two of the best defensive players in the history of the program (CB Alterraun Verner, LB Reggie Carter) will be playing their final game in the Rose Bowl (and junior DT Brian Price is probably gone after this season as well). 2.) UCLA can become bowl eligible with a victory, which means the USC game is no longer a must win.

I look for the Bruins to prevail in a close and very physical game.

Prediction: UCLA 24 – Arizona State 20

Arizona State Player to Keep an Eye On: K Thomas Weber - In a close game, a player like Weber becomes invaluable. His groin injury appears to be a thing of the past, so the Devils should be in scoring range once they cross the Bruins’ 40-yard line.

UCLA Player to Keep an Eye On: FB Chane Moline - Moline is coming off of a 3 TD game against Wazzu, and the versatile fullback could have a big impact again this week.

Dave’s Take (49 – 15):

Before the season even started, I remember having this game circled as an extremely evenly matched one. My opinion hasn’t changed.

Both teams have weak offenses, both have strong defenses, both are clearly outside of the conference’s top tier, and both have wins over both Washington schools.

I’d consider this game a virtual coinflip. Yes UCLA has looked to be in better form over the last few weeks, but ASU’s four-game losing streak pretty much looks like UCLA’s five-game one did.

Before the season started, I picked UCLA to finish below ASU in conference play, and I’m sticking with that prediction. I expect a low-scoring ugly game with plenty of great defense and punting, and Arizona State to come out on top when it’s all said and done.

Prediction: Arizona State 16 – UCLA 13

UCLA Bruins 5-5 Overall (2-5 Conference)

This Week’s Score: UCLA 43 – Washington State 7

Next Week’s Opponent: Arizona State

Sure, it’s only Washington State; but it was still a whole lot of fun for Bruins fans.

This one was over before it even had the chance to get started. The first three Cougar drives ended in interceptions as Marshall Lobbestael (2/6, 6 yards, 3 INTs) completed more passes to the Bruins than his own teammates. Rahim Moore snagged one and Akeem Ayers grabbed two.

Offensively, UCLA was in complete control, led by Kevin Prince who had a fantastic day (27/40, 314 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT). The highlight of the game (especially from an amusement factor) came early in the second quarter when Prince broke a 68-yard touchdown run. That about sums up just how much control the Bruins had over this game. Chane Moline had three rushes for 25 yards; all three for touchdowns.

While it has been a frustrating season for Bruins fans to drop five straight after winning the first three, the last two games have reminded us that this program is going in the right direction, and has to this point in the season won the games they were supposed to. I wouldn’t consider any of the five losses a disappointment at this juncture. Then again, with the exception of Tennessee, I wouldn’t really consider the other four wins major accomplishments.

That said, for a young team, going out there and not letting one get away against an inferior or evenly matched opponent shows a lot of maturity. They come to play every week, and are getting into good habits.

Now comes Arizona State, the game I’ve had circled since the beginning of the season as one of the most evenly matched for both teams. Both have un-explosive offenses, both have fantastic defenses. UCLA has shown that they aren’t quite ready to compete with the top dogs yet, but they are a tier above the bottom dwellers.

Now they face an evenly-matched foe, at home, with a chance to gain bowl eligibility. How much compete do the Bruins really have? Gut check time!

The off-season started with some tough losses for the Bruins running game. Last year’s leading rusher Kahlil Bell is gone. Bell finished his four-year Bruin career with over 1,700 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Next, talented sophomore Aundre Dean announced that he was transferring to TCU. Not long afterwards, Raymond Carter, another highly regarded runner, announced that he was headed to Colorado State. Both Dean and Carter were four-star talents that coach Neuheisel expected to use as feature backs one day. Losing both of them was a big blow for a unit desperate for explosive talent.

Now, it’s up to a group of relatively unproven tailbacks to revive the UCLA ground game.

Christian Ramirez takes the handoff

If there is a headliner to be found in this group, then redshirt junior Christian Ramirez is probably it. The 6-2 220 pound athlete missed the 2008 season due to academic ineligibility. Ramirez began his career as a safety before switching to tailback in 2007. He debuted as a running back against Stanford and wasted no time impressing the coaches, rushing for 55 yards on 5 carries, including a 24-yard scramble. For his career, Ramirez has run for 104 yards on 19 carries and has one career touchdown.

The El Centro California native might not have much experience, but his upside is exciting. While at Imperial High School (CA), Ramirez set a single-season school rushing record with 1,558 yards and 23 touchdowns. That season, he had a game in which he rushed for 304 yards and five touchdowns, another school record.

Ramirez runs with a slashing style and possesses a nice combination of size and speed. Norm Chow’s 1-back set should allow for Ramirez to flourish, but only if the offensive line can open up some running lanes. Unfortunately, Ramirez missed most of spring with a hamstring problem. If he can return to full speed this fall, UCLA may have their feature back.

The most experienced back on the roster is senior Chane Moline. The 6-1, 244 pound veteran is a versatile hybrid-back who could spend time at both running back and fullback this season. Moline’s natural position is fullback, which is where he will start the year for UCLA.

The San Juan Capistrano, CA native is a sure-handed receiver and will allow Norm Chow to exploit mismatches out of the backfield. Moline is also valuable in goal line situations, where he can create his own push even when the Bruins offensive line cannot. Moline has carried the ball 118 times for 446 yards and 6 TD’s. He also has 20 career receptions for 158 yards and one TD.

Chane Moline trucks forward

The leading rusher among backs returning to Westwood this fall is sophomore Derrick Coleman. As a freshman last season, Coleman ran for a respectable 291 yards and two TD’s on only 53 carries (5.4 yards per carry).

At 6-0 231 pounds, Coleman has tremendous size and strength, while displaying deceptive speed. Like Moline, he is great in short yardage situations and figures to see a lot of carries on 3rd down. Coleman flashed his potential against Fresno State last year, running for a team-high 86 yards on 10 carries. Coleman will start the 2009 season right behind Ramirez on the RB depth chart.

The speed element of UCLA’s running attack could be provided by redshirt freshman Jonathan Franklin. The 5-10 200 pound sprinter is also a track star and will give Norm Chow a potential home-run threat.  Franklin impressed coaches during his redshirt year, earning co-MVP honors on the scout team.

He is a skilled receiver out of the backfield as well, giving the UCLA offense another mismatch capability. Rivals.com rated him as the 16th best athlete of the 2008 class, and gave him four-stars. The Dorsey High (Los Angeles, CA) standout is a strong pass-blocker as well.

The sleeper of the unit is 5-8 200-pound redshirt freshman Milton Knox. Knox’s size and running style remind some around Westwood of former Bruin Maurice Jones-Drew. He is a compact athlete, and possesses incredible lower-body strength. He shared the co-MVP scout team honor with Franklin.

Knox was rated as the 12th running back nationally and given four-stars by Rivals.com. He ran for 2,210 yards and 39 TD’s as a senior at Birmingham High School (CA). The Pacoima, CA native could be the X-factor for the Bruins running attack if he continues to progress.

Other backs that could see time in 2009 include: redshirt senior RB Craig Sheppard, redshirt senior fullback Trevor Theriot, true freshman Damien Thigpen, and true freshman Dalton Hilliard.

My Take

There is talent in this group, but it may not surface because of the offensive line’s woes. If the line proves to be servicable, UCLA could be the surprise rushing team of the conference this season. Ramirez is still a bit of an enigma, so I think it will take a few games to really see what he can do.

I love Franklin and Knox for the future, and I think they are good enough to make up for the losses of Dean and Carter. Moline is a very versatile talent that could be all-conference now that he’s back at fullback. The bottom line; this unit has what it takes, but the o-line has to do it’s part. An improvement in the passing game that keeps defenses honest wouldn’t hurt, either.