This game provides a lot of background connections between the two teams. It obviously starts with their head coach Rick Neuheisel, who had many nicknames and is still widely disliked in these parts-I have heard two different groups talk about the T-shirts they were planning on wearing to the game. Plus, both Embree and Bienemy coached there as well under Karl Dorrell. There are two former Buffs who transferred in Josh Smith, who supposedly wanted to pursue his music and rap career and CU couldn’t provide that, and G/C Kai Maiva who played and earned honors as a freshman, but was then incomprehensibly asked by Hawkins to move to fullback. (Who could blame him?) Lastly, not only is Taylor Embree a Bruin on his senior day, but so is Christian Fauria’s son (nephew?) Joseph, another big, effective junior tight end. (Incidentally, neither was given even a sniff from the Hawkins staff.) On the other hand, Hawk did snatch up the player who might be our most talented, from UCLA, in Paul Richardson (whose dad was a Bruin), when he got in caught up in “pursegate”. As with Washington and the Arizona teams, this is a program Embree will battle directly with for many recruits in the future and this would be a good time for a strong showing in Los Angles-this is a big reason CU moved to the Pac-12.
§ Injury Update: P-Rich suffered a concussion last week and will be a late-week decision for UCLA; as will Kyle Washington, recovering from a concussion vs. USC. Parker Orms returned from suspension and was injured yet again, pulling up limp with a hamstring, and did not return. Orms has had a rash of leg injuries this year and I would be surprised if he’s ready for UCLA. Maybe he can get it figured out in the offseason and have the leg healthy for next season. Chidera Uzo-Diribe had his shoulder tweaked on his fumble recovery, but returned and is probable for the Bruins. Brady Daigh and his wrist will be listed “probable” for both remaining games. Anthony Perkins is currently listed as “questionable” for Saturday. Although Embree said Monday, "I count on everyone being available," I am not so sure about Perkins, Orms or even P-Rich the way it has gone so far this year.
§ This is another winnable game, for both teams. Each squad is eyeing this game as a chance to notch another win and forge forward, CU building momentum for the future as UCLA tries to salvage Coach Rick Neuheisel’s job after being crushed by Utah in the snow. The Bruins can still become bowl-eligible with one more win, and even the Pac-12 championship if they win out. However, their last game is against USC. Even a 6-6 record likely won’t save Slick Rick’s skin if they are crushed by SC. So, the Buffs can really rain on the parade by coming into the Rose Bowl and snatching a win. In fact, they are confident and Tyler said: “And we're not going to lose on the road, I guarantee. We're going to the Rose Bowl and we're going to get it done.”
§ Even though they still control their own destiny to get to the Pac-12 championship game, if UCLA actually pulled it off, it could end up being a lot like Gary Barnett’s last ill-fated Big 12 North championship. Bruin nation is quite restless, calling not only for Slick Rick’s head but also AD Dan Guerrero as the storied basketball program sucks too. There is already a post looking at how next year’s roster is stacking up for the new coach.
§ CU’s offense was 7-for-7 in redzone opportunities against Arizona, scoring touchdowns all seven times, after coming into the game 18-26, with 13 TDs. All of their scoring drives, except one after a deep turnover, were actually drives, with the Buffs marching down the field with a nice combination runs and passes, moving inside the 20 and finishing the job. This is a trend that would nice to repeat.
§ UCLA gave up 167 yards rushing to John White of Utah-this when Utah has had no passing game without Jordan Wynn and it was snowing so everyone knew they would be running and the Bruins still could not stop him. Rodney has a chance for another huge day.
§ Bienemy probably called his best game of the year. The first two drives were sustained with some great play calls and the Speedy pass back to Tyler was perfectly set up and executed. It seem he might really be coming into his own there. I am interested to see what else he calls to mix it up against the Bruins and if he can get more people involved like P-Rich and some other TEs.
§ It will be interesting for everyone watching to see how P-Rich comes out and plays (assuming he is cleared). He is not 100% yet from his knee, is coming off a concussion and has the pressure of going back to LA and playing in front of family, friends, against many almost teammates and some friends, as well as in front of UCLA fans that have strong feelings about him. How good could this offense be if Richardson and Clemons were both physically healthy and mentally in the game?
§ UCLA’s offense is a mess of inconsistency, but they have been much better at home. Kevin Prince is not among the royalty of Pac-12 QBs, and has shared time with Jr. Richard Brehaut, who is once again healthy. Prince will start, but if he struggles, we’ll probably see Brehaut as well, who is a better passer and not as strong of a runner. The QB is key for their “pistol” formation that can cause fits for defenses with its version of the zone-read option. They are generally stronger in the run game with two decent tailbacks, Jonathan Franklin (126 rushes-695 yards-4 TDs) and Derrick Coleman (113-585-11), and especially with Prince, but Utah’s defensive line won the battle of the trenches and shut them down, forcing them to pass.
§ Like CU, UCLA has not been consistent with O-line play, have committed lot of penalties and Prince especially has been prone to mistakes. When the Utes got a little pressure on Prince they were able to pick off two. Our D-line needs to have its best game yet to slow down the run game and force them to throw. If they can get some pressure on the QB like they did against Foles, they should keep us in the game and the offense should be able to score enough points.
§ We will likely have to wait until kickoff to see who starts for us in the secondary. It will be Henderson on one side with Polk at one safety for sure, Sandersfeld will be in there but not sure where until they see who is cleared between Perkins, Orms and Washington. We could see any combination of Terrell Smith, Jason Espinoza “Island”, Paul Vigo or TFr. DD Goodson out there also.
§ The Bruin defense will get senior safety Tony Dye back from a neck injury. He was definitely a team leader before sitting out and his replacements have done okay, but they will welcome his experience in the secondary. He actually contemplated taking a medical redshirt but decided to come back and play with this senior class.
§ The Bruins were also guilty of many penalties against Utah (and all season long)- especially 5 or 6 of those annoying false starts that NeuTeams are famous for-and other inopportune mistakes like special teams gaffes and (don’t laugh too hard now) clock management issues. As we were able to do against Arizona, the Buffs need to be the one taking advantage of its’ opponents’ mistakes, and not the other way around.
§ Have our freshmen kickers hit a little wall? Wil Oliver came back to Earth and even missed a PAT in the wind. Darragh O’Neill has another mishap with the “rugby-style” kick and they will (as they should) look at that in the offseason. Since he has such a big and accurate leg, just let him boot it away. If they do decide to continue using it, the other 10 needs to be more aware of when, how and why it is being utilized. On coverage, we have to worry about Josh Smith, who could graduate as the all-time leading kickoff returner at both schools (he is first here and second at UCLA) and Taylor Embree, who is sure handed and not as dangerous on punts. I have no idea who runs out there to fair catch punts for us this week.
§ Sounds like with all the connections between players and coaches at both schools there has been a lot of trash talk. Taylor and his dad’s phone conversations would be very entertaining and I don’t follow social media but I guess there is a lot going on there, especially between Josh Smith and Kai Maiva and the guys they still know here.
§ Wearing #90 for the Buffs now, former blue-chip DE Nick Kasa got in the game for a few plays as TE. On one snap he actually ran a deep route on the right and drew some coverage as Tyler dropped a short pass to the left. We might see even more of him in the last two games since DeVaughn Thorton has officially moved to WR (can’t block but also dropped an easy catch with some space last week and continues to be disappointing), while Kyle Slavin can’t seem to crack the lineup. What was once considered (by me at least) a position of strength, has become one of need.
§ Even though every single game will have been televised at least regionally for the first time since 1995, Buff nation has had a great presence at away games this year. There have been at least 3000 tickets sold for UCLA-and remember that the ticket office and the tickets offered are not that great so many people will also purchase tickets through other avenues, leading to even more black dispersed throughout the crowd in the Rose Bowl.
§ One big question for the game: How does Embree’s wife Natalyn dress on Saturday in LA? According to Embree, probably in blue. Embree’s mom will also be in attendance-I am hoping she’s at least dressed in black and gold, maybe with a small pin for Taylor. Here’s a nice article on the family: http://www.denverpost.com/cu/ci_19336774 ).
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§ Stuart’s TIPS: http://www.cuatthegame.com/2011/preview-ucla/
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