UCLA Football: 3 bold predictions vs. Oregon in Week 8
By Dana Becker
2. Needing a stop
Josh Rosen and Royce Freeman will pile up yards, but which defense can get the key stop to turn the tide, UCLA or Oregon?
On the year, the Bruins have not allowed fewer than 23 points in any game, holding Hawai’i and Colorado to that number each. Not surprisingly, they won both games.
In the three losses for UCLA, they have surrendered 48, 58 and 47 points, with Texas A&M also going for 44 in a win in Week 1.
There is only so much Rosen can do if his defense can’t make a stop.
The Bruins have just three interceptions as a team on the season and have recorded only seven sacks. Maybe leading tackler Jaleel Wadood or second-leading tackler Kenny Young can make a play.
Oregon is in much the same boat, as Washington State scored 33 two weeks ago and Stanford put up 49 on them last Saturday. They also allowed 37 in a loss to Arizona State after scoring at least 40 in the first three weeks of the season, and again hitting that number in a win last month vs. California.
Of course, as mentioned, that was with Justin Herbert at the controls.
The Ducks have picked off eight passes and have 24 sacks as a unit, with Jalen Jelks and Jonah Moi combining for nine. Troy Dye leads the team in tackles and also has three sacks and an interception.