Here’s The Deal … UCLA and Washington get a rare national TV audience, but unfortunately, it might do more harm than good, shining a spotlight on their shortcomings. Entering the season with rising expectations, neither school has been able to deliver through the first nine games. The winner in Seattle, however, will keep flickering postseason hopes alive. The Huskies, in particular, have really missed their mark in 2010, peaking with a last-second upset at USC on Oct. 2, but winning just once since. Even worse, they’ve been blown out in each of the last three games, and are just now expected to get back QB Jake Locker from a broken rib. For the Bruins, this fall has been a rollercoaster ride, opening with two losses, winning the next three, but dropping three more to fall below .500. The good news is they surprised Oregon State, 17-14, before the break, which Rick Neuheisel hopes can be the beginning of a trend.
Why UCLA Might Win: It was the running game and the defense that helped the Bruins to the win over the Beavers and near upset of Arizona a week earlier. With no semblance of a passing attack, they’re back to opening holes for Johnathan Franklin and Derrick Coleman. That ought to become a trend versus Washington, which is 118th nationally at stopping the run, yielding almost 220 yards a game and more than five yards a carry. Even if Locker plays, he’s going to be rusty after missing the last few games and not too eager to be taking pops from UCLA S Rahim Moore and linebackers Akeem Ayers and Sean Westgate.
Why Washington Might Win: In any form or condition, Locker will be an upgrade over Keith Price, who has upside, but is only a redshirt freshman. He’ll continue to be surrounded by an outstanding supporting cast that’s capable of taking over a game. Chris Polk leads the way in the running game, though he’s beginning to get more help from blue-chip recruit Jesse Callier. Through the air, Jermaine Kearse will have an edge on any UCLA corner, hauling in 10 touchdown catches as proof. The Bruins have fared poorly outside Los Angeles lately, losing their last two to Cal and Oregon by a combined score of 95-20.
What To Watch Out For: With Kevin Prince still out with an injury, Richard Brehaut will be back under center for a fourth straight game for UCLA. Even against U-Dub, don’t expect much from the passing game. He can, however, be dangerous outside the pocket, rushing for 61 yards and his third score of the year two weeks ago. He’ll be the responsibility of linebackers Mason Foster and Victor Aiyewa, easily the Huskies’ two best defenders this season.
What Will Happen: It’s going to be nippy, with the possibility of freezing rain. In those conditions, go with the team that can grind out yards and make occasional stops on defense. In both cases, that program is UCLA. Out of the pistol formation, the Bruins will feed Washington a steady diet of Franklin, who’ll run for 125 yards and run away with game MVP honors.
CFN Prediction: UCLA 27 … Washington 23 … Line: Washington -2
Why UCLA Might Win: It was the running game and the defense that helped the Bruins to the win over the Beavers and near upset of Arizona a week earlier. With no semblance of a passing attack, they’re back to opening holes for Johnathan Franklin and Derrick Coleman. That ought to become a trend versus Washington, which is 118th nationally at stopping the run, yielding almost 220 yards a game and more than five yards a carry. Even if Locker plays, he’s going to be rusty after missing the last few games and not too eager to be taking pops from UCLA S Rahim Moore and linebackers Akeem Ayers and Sean Westgate.
Why Washington Might Win: In any form or condition, Locker will be an upgrade over Keith Price, who has upside, but is only a redshirt freshman. He’ll continue to be surrounded by an outstanding supporting cast that’s capable of taking over a game. Chris Polk leads the way in the running game, though he’s beginning to get more help from blue-chip recruit Jesse Callier. Through the air, Jermaine Kearse will have an edge on any UCLA corner, hauling in 10 touchdown catches as proof. The Bruins have fared poorly outside Los Angeles lately, losing their last two to Cal and Oregon by a combined score of 95-20.
What To Watch Out For: With Kevin Prince still out with an injury, Richard Brehaut will be back under center for a fourth straight game for UCLA. Even against U-Dub, don’t expect much from the passing game. He can, however, be dangerous outside the pocket, rushing for 61 yards and his third score of the year two weeks ago. He’ll be the responsibility of linebackers Mason Foster and Victor Aiyewa, easily the Huskies’ two best defenders this season.
What Will Happen: It’s going to be nippy, with the possibility of freezing rain. In those conditions, go with the team that can grind out yards and make occasional stops on defense. In both cases, that program is UCLA. Out of the pistol formation, the Bruins will feed Washington a steady diet of Franklin, who’ll run for 125 yards and run away with game MVP honors.
CFN Prediction: UCLA 27 … Washington 23 … Line: Washington -2