Perhaps there is something to be said for a positive start to a bye week.
The UCLA Bruins — like the No. 1 Oregon Ducks, idle last week before tonight’s game — had a three-game winning streak unceremoniously snapped at Cal, 35-7.
Now 3-3 (1-2 Pacific-10 Conference), UCLA could seize momentum in a big way with a road upset of the Ducks.
“This game is going to test our manhood,” Bruins safety Rahim Moore told the Los Angeles Times. “It’s a big-time man’s game this week.”
Whether or not UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel would agree, he has not outwardly shown it.
“You can’t get caught up in who they are or what they are,” Neuheisel told the LA Times. “It’s about playing the game and seeing how it matches up.”
The matchup that matters the most today will be offensive coordinator Norm Chow’s pistol offense (second in the Pac-10 in rushing yards) against the Ducks’ defense (second in the Pac-10 in
scoring defense).
Both sides will be missing key players for the game.
Oregon is unlikely to start defensive tackle Zac Clark (leg), defensive end Terrell Turner (foot) and cornerback Anthony Gildon (leg) this week because of injuries. Wade Keliikipi and Dion Jordan are expected to start along the defensive line, while Cliff Harris is the possible starter at corner. All would be making their first career starts, but they have gained significant playing time within the Ducks’
defensive rotation.
UCLA’s most pressing concern is the quarterback position.
Redshirt sophomore starter Kevin Prince, who suffered a knee injury in the Bruins’ upset victory over then-No. 7 Texas on Sept. 25, is questionable against Oregon. Sophomore Richard Brehaut is Prince’s backup.
“The quarterback in the pistol offense doesn’t just drop back and throw,” Prince told the LA Times this week. “If that was the case, I would be fine. The fact of the matter is we’ve got to run the ball. I have to prove to myself that I can run the ball and make cuts.”
Prince is considered the better runner of the two, with Brehaut cast as the more upright pocket passer. Oregon scout team quarterback Bryan Bennett has donned Prince’s jersey number, No. 4, in practice, and the team has not altered its preparation to accommodate a switch.
“That’s the first I’ve heard of that,” Ducks defensive tackle Brandon Bair said when asked about UCLA’s quarterback issues.
What Oregon has prepared for, of course, is the run. UCLA has churned out 223 yards per game, behind only Oregon in the Pac-10, and running backs Johnathan Franklin and Derrick Coleman are
second and eighth, respectively, in the conference in rushing.
“They make their money in running the ball,” Bair said. “We’ve got to make sure we’re sound inside. We’ve just got to continue to make plays. Whatever they come out in, we’re going to prepare for that.”
The Bruins, meanwhile, have to prepare for some line-up issues against the Ducks’ wear-them-out defense.
Neuheisel announced on Oct. 13 the suspensions of fullback Morrell Presley and wide receiver/kick returner Josh Smith for the Oregon contest after the two reportedly violated the team’s drug policy. Both are starters who will have to be replaced.
On Tuesday, the team announced that two more unnamed players will be suspended for additional violations of team policy. One is reportedly appealing the suspension.
“I’m disappointed in both kids and for both kids, and hopefully they’ll learn the valuable lesson that can be learned from this kind of penalty and discipline,” Neuheisel told The Orange County Register after Tuesday’s practice.
It’s no secret: Slowing the Bruins’ offensive attack — now depleted after suspensions and injuries — takes them out of contention quickly.
In three wins, including UCLA’s 34-12 stunner over Texas, the Bruins have averaged 35.67 points per game.
In their three losses, they have scored a total of 29 points.
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