Opponent Preview: UCLA
At a Glance Oregon State at UCLA
When: TBA Saturday, Nov. 12
Where: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California
TV/Radio: TBD/Beaver Sports Radio Network
Series history: UCLA leads 42-16
Last meeting: Holding UCLA scoreless in the opening quarter was for naught, as the Bruins scored 24 second-quarter points en route to a 41-0 dismantling of the Beavers. Jake Rosen completed 22-of-33 passes for 333 yards and two scores, both to Thomas Duarte, meanwhile three running backs scored for the Bruins. Storm Woods gained 87 yards on just 14 carries (6.2 YPC) to lead the Beavers.
2015 in Review
Record: 8-5 overall, 5-4 Pac-12 (4-2 home, 4-2 away, 0-1 neutral)
Bowl game: Lost to Mike Riley’s Nebraska squad, 37-29, in the Foster Farms Bowl.
Notable games: Crushed Arizona, 56-30, in Pac-12 opener; followed that with a 38-23 loss to ASU at home; lost 56-35 to Stanford; beat Cal 40-24; lost to Washington State, 31-27.
Quick numbers
Points per game: 32.2, Opponents: 26.0; Rushing yards per game: 176.8, Opponents: 198.5; Passing yards per game: 288.9, Opponents: 203.2; Time of possession: 25:56, Opponents: 34:04; Red-zone touchdown percentage: 61 percent, Opponents: 53 percent.
Top performers
Passing: Josh Rosen (3,669, 23 TDs, 11 INT, 60 percent completion rate); Rushing: Paul Perkins (1,343 yards, 14 TDs, 5.7 YPC); Receiving: Jordan Payton (78 catches, 1,106 yards, 5 TDs); Tackles: Jaylon Brown (93 tackles, 2 for loss, 6 pass breakups).
Key losses
Perkins, Payton, Duarte (53 catches, 872 yards, 10 TDs), Myles Jack (15 tackles in 3 games, 1 INT), Kenny Clark (75 tackles, 11 for loss, 6 sacks), Aaron Wallace (65 tackles, 12.5 for loss, 7 sacks).
Nov. 12 Outlook
Key returners
Rosen (Soph.); Soso Jamabo (Soph.): 403 yards, 4 TDs, 6.1 YPC; Darren Andrews (RS-JR. WR); 42 catches, 429 yards, 1 TD; Brown (SR. LB); Jaleel Wadood (JR. DB): 72 tackles, 2 INT; Randall Goforth (RS-SR. DB): 70 tackles, 2 INT, 6 pass breakups.
Key strength
Defense, defense, defense will be what makes or breaks UCLA’s season. Sure, they lose a few key players on that side of the ball, but they return plenty of their top performers from last season, including their leading tackler in Brown. Watch for the Bruins’ defensive line to shine especially, with Eddie Vanderdoes returning from injury. If back to full strength, he’s instantly one of the top lineman in the Pac-12.
Key question
Who will emerge as Rosen’s go-to players in the passing game? Rosen is expected to be one of the top QBs in the nation this year, after a sterling freshman campaign. But he might find it a little tougher without Payton and Daurte this season. Can Andrews take a step forward? Can converted DB Ishmael Adams make an impact? Look out for freshman Theo Howard, a one-time OSU recruit.
Raju’s Take
This will be a stern test for the Beavers, who could be pretty beat up by the time they arrive in Pasadena. UCLA, on paper is big and fast, and if they are more physical this season yikes. I think right out of the gate, the OSU offensive line will have its hands full trying to stop the Bruins’ DL. So, Kevin McGiven and TJ Woods will need to call plays to counter the rush.
Defensively, the Beavers have to force a turnover or three to even things out some more. If they can get to Rosen, combined with him breaking in some new targets, you just never know. At the same time, they have to be aware of Jamabo, a big, powerful running back with surprising explosiveness. I think the linebackers will play a big role for the Beavs in this one.
It will be interesting to see where the Beavers are health-wise heading into this matchup. If they are beat up and missing a handful of key players, it’s likely to be a long game for them. But if they can hang tough and get enough pressure on D, and spring a few big scores, you just never know. That said, if I am a betting man, UCLA emerges with the win.