UCLA – Arizona State Preview: Bruins Go For Bowl Eligibility On Senior Day
So it has come down to this…
This Saturday at the Rose Bowl, the UCLA Bruins will try to achieve something for the first time in the Rick Neuheisel era: Win a sixth game and go into the USC showdown with bowl eligibility in hand.
Standing in the way are the Arizona State Sun Devils (4-6, 2-5 in the Pac-10 Conference), a team led by a veteran coach in Dennis Erickson that hasn’t had a great season, but whose defense has stood out and kept them in games.
Vontaze Burfict, a true freshman linebacker whom USC desperately wanted, has made a big impact for the Sun Devils, as has fellow linebacker Mike Nixon. They have been part of a defense in Tempe that has 15 interceptions to date; nine different ASU players have made picks.
Arizona State’s offense has been a different story, especially on the offense line.
Six separate combinations have started in the Sun Devils’ ten contests, and only two guys up front have started every game, all because of a rash of injuries, much like UCLA’s O-line last year.
Because of that situation, it’s imperative that the Bruins take advantage; blitz and put pressure on the ASU quarterback. Datone Jones and Brian Price, among others, must create havoc in the backfield and allow no time to throw; that will be a key for UCLA.
Speaking of ASU quarterbacks, Danny Sullivan has been the main guy for most of this season, but he has thrown more interceptions (9) than touchdowns (8). He was pulled last week at Oregon in favor of Brock Ostweiler, who suffered a concussion against the Ducks and gave way to Samson Szakacsy, who went 13 for 22 for 113 yards and a TD in his Sun Devil debut.
Since Ostweiler will likely be out for Saturday’s game, either Sullivan or Szakacsy will start.
As for the Bruins, their hot streak on offense must continue against Arizona State. It will not be easy, considering their defense, namely their front seven, is a Sun Devil strength.
Kevin Prince needs to have a productive day behind center, without any turnovers or mistakes, and Johnathan Franklin, Derrick Coleman, and Milton Knox have to gain yards at running back, move the ball and sustain drives; keeping the three-and-outs to a minimum is essential for UCLA to be successful.
The motivation for the Bruins (5-5, 2-5 in the Pac-10) will certainly be there; not only is this a chance for UCLA to become bowl eligible, it’s also the last home contest for such standout seniors as Reggie Carter, Alterraun Verner, Kyle and Korey Bosworth, and Terrance Austin.
I truly think it is safe to say that those guys, as well as all of the other seniors, will be extremely pumped up and charged in their last game on the Rose Bowl turf. No way will they want to go out as anything but winners.
That’s why I’m confident that barring any mistakes or unforeseen disasters, the Bruins, a 4 1/2 point favorite, will earn a victory against the Sun Devils at home.
And then focus on their crosstown enemy – I refuse to say rival – USC.
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