UCLA Football Preview - Injuries, Suspensions and KSU 'Cats

Offense:

Brehaut, Craft Step In. Rest of Team Steps Up - Yes Kevin Prince is out for at least a month, but Richard Brehaut (pronounced BREE-ho) and Kevin Craft (he of the 20 INTs last season) are ready to step in and show that they are ready to lead. While Brehaut is thought to have the better all around game, Craft is the more experienced QB. More than ever, the young offensive line will be asked to protect whoever is back there, something they haven't been able to do consistently. Some running would be nice but there hasn't been a 100 yard rusher for the Bruins in two seasons and run defense is thought to be a Kansas State strength. Although this weekend is shaping up to be a defensive battle, the offense must at least be able to move the ball and get Kai Forbath into position to make field goals, something the Wildcats have struggled with this season.

Defense:

Keep the Intensity Up and the Mistakes Down - The Bruins defense has been able to keep points off the board but have made far too many drive sustaining mistakes. While they rank 27th in the nation in total defense and 4th in turnovers, they have committed penalties that have needlessly kept them on the field and allowed opponents to move the ball. Stopping Kansas State running back Daniel Thomas, the bright spot for their offense, will be a priority for the Bruins. Up front Brian Price and Kyle Bosworth will be asked to slow Thomas down. They have combined for 14 tackles including five and a half for losses. Rahim Moore has been a standout in the secondary with five interceptions.

Intangibles:

Bruins Can't Look Back. 'Cats Can't Kick - Will there be another let down after a big Bruin win? The history doesn't look good. 59-0 to BYU after last year's upset of Tennessee. 27-7 to Washington after 2007's upset of Cal. 44-27 to Florida St. in the Emerald Bowl after the monumental upset of USC in 2006. These Bruins must forget past victories and stay focused in their game from start to finish. Kansas State is traveling and will be playing in front of more people than they have all season. Their offense is struggling and their kicker Josh Cherry is 0 for 2009. Rick Neuheisel says that any Bill Snyder coached team is a threat but even the great builder Bill admits that this is a huge task for his team.

What They're Saying:

"Facing the Bruins will be a much tougher task than the recent trip to Louisiana. For its home opener against San Diego State, UCLA had more than 55,000 fans in attendance. For a game that features a match up between two big-time conferences, that number could easily grow"
- Grant Guggisberg: The K-State Collegian

"The Wildcats don't need to be traveling to Lafayette and La-La Land on successive weekends. Not when there's so much to fix at home."
- Kevin Haskin: The Topeka Capital-Journal

And So...

No matter who starts at quarterback for the Bruins, the story will remain the same. Protect [insert quarterback's name here] as much as possible. Move the ball. Limit mistakes. Let Kai kick the field goals. The defense has to get off the field and stop giving opponents extra downs. With the K-State 'Cats having to travel and playing in front of a big crowd, the Bruins should have a good home field advantage. The fact that as bad as the offense is struggling, the kicking game is struggling MORE should be the difference in this game. The Bruins win by a couple field goals.

Points After

• Four players: Milton Knox, Randall Carroll, Morrell Presley and starting cornerback Courtney Viney have been suspended for this weekend's game for the dreaded "violation of team rules".

• Firefighters will again be admitted to the game for free.

• This is the Bruins first ever meeting against Kansas State. The Bruins are 22-19-1 against the Big-12.

• Look for some action OUTSIDE the Rose Bowl as well! There will be a Wold Series of Beer Pong tailgate party in the parking lot from 8am - 8pm.
  

Kickoff: 7:15pm TV: FSN Prime Ticket Radio: 570AM KLAC