Wednesday, Nov. 04, 2009

Washington (3-5) at U-C-L-A (3-5)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Rose Bowl (91,136) -- Pasadena, California. Television: FSN-PT. Home Record: Washington 3-2, UCLA 2-2. Away Record: Washington 0-3, UCLA 1-3. Neutral Record: Washington 0-0, UCLA 0-0. Conference Record: Washington 2-3, UCLA 0-5. Series Record: UCLA leads, 37-29-2.

GAME NOTES: The Washington Huskies return from their one-week layoff to take on the UCLA Bruins in a Pac-10 battle at the Rose Bowl.

Washington was idle last weekend after taking a 43-19 beating from Oregon a week earlier. The bye couldn't have come at a better time for the Huskies, who have lost four of their last five. They'll play at Oregon State next week, before returning home to close out the final two games on the schedule.

UCLA jumped out to a 3-0 start after a pair of gritty non-conference wins over Tennessee and Kansas State. The wheels have completely fallen off the cart since then, as the Bruins have lost five straight. Last weekend, they dropped a tough 26-19 contest at Oregon State.

The Bruins can take solace in knowing they've won 10 of the last 12 meetings with Washington. They lead the all-time series, 37-29-2.

Washington head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff spent the off-week re- assessing an offense that has scored just 17 and 19 points over the last two games. Specifically, the Huskies need to find a way to be more efficient in the red zone, an area that has come into play throughout several close games this year. Running back Chris is averaging 80 yards per game on the ground, but he has found the end zone only three times, or, one less than quarterback Jake Locker. The Huskies are the Pac-10's third-ranked passing offense (246 ypg), although Locker is completing just 56.4 percent of his passes and has thrown eight interceptions through eight games.

The Huskies continue to struggle defensively against both the run (174.5 ypg) and the pass (249 ypg). They enter the week ranked 105th in the nation in total defense and are allowing 29.8 ppg. The defense held Oregon to 15 first- half points two weeks ago, but the Ducks scored on their first three drives of the second half to open up a 30-point lead. Washington had a particularly tough time stopping Ducks running back LaMichael James, who needed only 15 carries to rack up 154 rushing yards and two scores. The Huskies also allowed a pair of rushing touchdowns to mobile quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, who was returning from a knee injury.

Ever since their Pac-10 schedule began, UCLA's offense has been in shambles. The Bruins currently rank 107th in the nation in scoring offense (19.88 ppg) and 11th in total offense (305.88 ypg). As a result, the team is off to its worst-ever start in conference play. On the positive side, quarterback Kevin Prince shook off a slow start against Oregon State last week to go 22-of-34 for 323 yards and two TDs. He threw both of his touchdown passes in the fourth quarter to rally the Bruins back from a 19-3 deficit. Nelson Rosario caught one of those touchdown passes and finished with 152 yards on six receptions. Running back Johnathan Franklin was a non-factor, totaling just 37 yards on 14 carries (2.6 ypc).

UCLA's defense ranks in the middle of the Pac-10 in terms of points (sixth) and yards allowed (fifth). The one area that has been a constant -- the Bruins' second-ranked pass defense (197.63 ypg) -- was victimized by the Beavers. OSU quarterback Sean Canfield completed 25-of-34 passes for 305 yards, while brothers James Rodgers (10 rec, 106 yds) and Jacquizz Rodgers (7-92) often found open windows in the UCLA secondary. However, the Bruins did hold OSU to 2-of-11 on third downs. Tony Dye registered a team-high 10 tackles for UCLA, while Alterraun Verner finished with nine.

The Huskies have had two weeks to prepare for this contest, although they run into a Bruins team desperate to put an end to their slide. Washington's defense is certainly vulnerable, but the Bruins' offense has seldom been able to exploit an opponent's weaknesses.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Washington 23, UCLA 17

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