UCLA cannot afford another loss in the Pac-12 l if they expect to have a winning season and earn a respectable bowl bid during the holidays.
They have five more regular season games, beginning Saturday against No. 19 Utah at the Rose Bowl at 1 o’clock on channel 11.
The 3-4 Bruins are 1-3 in the Pac-12, one mere game out of place in the South Conference. Utah is first in the South at 3-1 – 6-1 overall.
If quarterback Josh Rosen is not ready, the Bruins may have a problem. Rosen is recovering from injuries he suffered against Arizona State week before last. His replacement, senior Mike Fafaul, played well against Washington State last week but Rosen is hard to replace because he is one of the best in the nation.
Whomever plays may not matter if the Bruins running game continues to falter. Against Arizona State, they ran for minus yards and for just 43 against Washington State.
Strangely, coming into the season, running appeared one of their strong points. They have a good offensive line and three solid running backs.
The line has experience with tackles Connor McDermott and Kolton Miller, guards Kenny Lacy and Najee Toran and center Scott Quesesenberry. Running behind that line are Soso Jamabo, Nate Starks and Bolu Olorunfunmi.
One problems for the running backs is lack of breakaway speed. They have the size but once they get past the defensive line, they can’t outrun linebackers. Hopefully that will change on Saturday.
Mr. Finley may be contacted at sfinley50@aol.com
