I thought ESPN was headquartered in Bristol, not nubland.
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UCLA Pregame thread
- Thread starter Jello Bear
- Start date
Better players, probably worse team.
The official simulation, so we know it's accurate.
Maybe I'm just gun shy but I see this game being closer than the 10 point spread. I can see scenarios on both sides with UCLA's QB's. One where Speight comes back and gives them a lift and another where Thompson-Robinson gives us fits like other running QB's have.
I'm hoping the Buffs come out on fire and take UCLA's will from the start. If the Buffs can start fast I can see UCLA giving up. If not, it could be a nail biter like most of the recent games against UCLA have been.
FlatironsBuff
Well-Known Member
FIFY
FlatironsBuff
Well-Known Member
I
I remember when that was 75% red saying Nebraska would win.
Yes
I like that formation since Shenault is physical as hell. Idk how much I'd run it now? McM, I would.
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Ringer
Well-Known Member
UCLA has a very good true soph corner in Darnay Holmes (5 star recruit). Some online fan pundits predict that they will just put Holmes on Laviska and try to limit him that way. The problem with this thinking is that Shenault can play 5 positions (outside, slot, H-back, RB, Wildcat QB) and there is no way to shadow him without opening it up for other receivers.
Got to think that they scheme to keep the ball away from Viska.
Need our other playmakers to step up. I'm betting Nixon goes large on Friday
Bingo, that's probably what they'll try to do too. Shenault will probably get his regardless. Ucla is a damn dumpster fire right about now. Bust their ass in the mouth early, it'll probably be easy. Let them hang around, asking for trouble.
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SIAP, but this is a good LA Daily News piece, talks about how UCLA gets 2 very important offensive players back from suspension this game.
Sounds like they will get their #1 center back, moving their center to guard and guard to tackle. Sounds chaotic, but if center has been a problem which I'm pretty sure it has been given how they keep missing blitzes, could be a big change. Tagaloa had been a DT and moved to Center this offseason.
We'll see how CU is prepared to handle two very good tight ends as well, which would seem to favor a QB like Speight, unless they are going to try to run power football (which is the way Mora was trying to build the team).
Sounds like they will get their #1 center back, moving their center to guard and guard to tackle. Sounds chaotic, but if center has been a problem which I'm pretty sure it has been given how they keep missing blitzes, could be a big change. Tagaloa had been a DT and moved to Center this offseason.
We'll see how CU is prepared to handle two very good tight ends as well, which would seem to favor a QB like Speight, unless they are going to try to run power football (which is the way Mora was trying to build the team).
C
cant rember the last time I preferred a team to try and run power at us.
He might turn into something good, but UCLA has to be worried about someone making their first start at center on the road in a conference game. I wouldn't really expect this kid to come in and just suddenly solve their protection issues in one game.
I will give you one guess as to who "Landman's teammate" is in this PFF Breakout Players Top 10 list
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I had three concerns for this team before the year, and I think only one has been alleviated somewhat at this point. The other two concern me a bit still against the improved talent this week, but a lot more against better teams ahead.
Feeling better about :
1.) Montez developing/not tunnel visioning on a certain route - he's looked much improved and Roper seems to be a huge help to his progress.
Still concerning:
2.) Defense - I don't think any of us were impressed with Eliot last year. I wasn't in love with his philosophy or feel for play calling, let alone his demeanor. We've been a bit more aggressive, but I'm still not impressed. My biggest concern was lack of pass rush and yardage given up. We have 10 sacks this year, but 5 were against NH. CSU and NU lines have looked pretty mediocre against other competition. Mustafa Johnson has pretty much been the lone bright spot there. Lack of OLB pass rush should be a concern. We'll see how we progress there as the year goes on.
We are giving up 373 yards per game, 158 rush yards per game. This includes the only 270 total yards given up to NH. So even though it hasn't showed up on the scoreboard, we're giving up too many yards. One positive is the turnovers, but we can't rely on that week to week. Hopefully as Lewis/Taylor get used to their roles on the outside and as the youngins (Wells/Callier/Antwine/Lang) progress we can improve there.
3.) O-line. I think this has been well documented on here.
This game just feels like it has trap potential. I'm concerned our defensive shortcomings have been masked by huge turnovers, bad teams, and some ridiculous play by Landman.
Edit: I still think we win this game, but I'm still pretty concerned about some of our holes on this team going forward.
Feeling better about :
1.) Montez developing/not tunnel visioning on a certain route - he's looked much improved and Roper seems to be a huge help to his progress.
Still concerning:
2.) Defense - I don't think any of us were impressed with Eliot last year. I wasn't in love with his philosophy or feel for play calling, let alone his demeanor. We've been a bit more aggressive, but I'm still not impressed. My biggest concern was lack of pass rush and yardage given up. We have 10 sacks this year, but 5 were against NH. CSU and NU lines have looked pretty mediocre against other competition. Mustafa Johnson has pretty much been the lone bright spot there. Lack of OLB pass rush should be a concern. We'll see how we progress there as the year goes on.
We are giving up 373 yards per game, 158 rush yards per game. This includes the only 270 total yards given up to NH. So even though it hasn't showed up on the scoreboard, we're giving up too many yards. One positive is the turnovers, but we can't rely on that week to week. Hopefully as Lewis/Taylor get used to their roles on the outside and as the youngins (Wells/Callier/Antwine/Lang) progress we can improve there.
3.) O-line. I think this has been well documented on here.
This game just feels like it has trap potential. I'm concerned our defensive shortcomings have been masked by huge turnovers, bad teams, and some ridiculous play by Landman.
Edit: I still think we win this game, but I'm still pretty concerned about some of our holes on this team going forward.
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DrunkRalphie
Well-Known Member
One road game where they gave up yards. So far it's an outlier.
Points matter not yards. I don't care if they give up 1,000 yards a game and win the rest of the their games. It's about points. Notice how we are top 3 in the pac-12 in % of opponents drives ending in points?
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Ringer
Well-Known Member
Mr. Big Iron Buff, I share most of your views. As for OLB rush, I see good things going forward. Drew Lewis is a freak athlete (and the team leader in tackles last season) who got moved to a brand new position to accommodate Landman. Davion Taylor (who already has two fumble recoveries and a TD) is flat-out the fastest football player in the PAC over 100 meters. The guy is playing in only his third season of organized football, ever. There is a big potential upside at that position group as the season goes on.
I do actually have a concern with Landman in that most of his disruptive plays have come when he shoots a gap and gets into the backfield, explosively, in what appear to be brilliant reads.
I am just not sure that he's as good at play diagnosis as he's been. Seems more like Roulette?
Seems succeptible to play action and I'd expect UCLA to test that big time this game. Expect plays designed to exploit this.
I am just not sure that he's as good at play diagnosis as he's been. Seems more like Roulette?
Seems succeptible to play action and I'd expect UCLA to test that big time this game. Expect plays designed to exploit this.
Landman has two interceptions already as well. His explosive plays are not limited to playing roulette to get in the backfield.
What I see is not him guessing, but having the rare ability to diagnosis a play and then immediately sell out 100% to get there quickly.
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He diagnoses a play pretty quick, therefore, he'll play fast.
Does he call his own blitzes?
Landman has extraordinary freedom in the defense, especially next to Gamboa who is supposed to offer cover and positional discipline.
Haha an outlier? We've played 3 games. Tough to label something a statistical outlier with 3 data points. My point is, we had a team last year under Eliot that statistically gave up a lot of yards. We gave up a ton of yards against the one P5 team we played. I agree this defense is improved, but we certainly can't say how much at this point. I'm just pointing out some of my concerns.
Uh, yeah, I understand points matter. The point you're missing here is that yards translate to points generally speaking and over an entirety of a season. It's not a coincidence that the best defenses in points against are almost always the best in yards against. You let teams move the ball into your territory at a high percentage, they are going to score at a higher percentage regardless of your defensive red zone efficiency and proclivity to force turnovers. If you think we're in the clear and shouldn't at least have some concern over our defense over the past 15 games in DJ Eliot's tenure you have your head in the sand. I'm in the wait and see on the defense right now.