After the disaster that took place at DKR last Saturday night, the Longhorns look to rebound against a top 10 UCLA team in Dallas. While much of the discussion over the past few days have been focused on issues surrounding the BYU loss, the fact remains that a very important game looms in just a few days.
UCLA OFFENSE
Brett Hundley entered 2014 near the top of most Heisman lists. As one of the nation’s top-dual threat quarterbacks, Hundley has shown the ability to both run and pass exceptionally well.
On the ground, the Bruins like to look to RB Paul Perkins for a majority of the rushing offense. Even though Hundley is averaging more than 10 rushing attempts per game, he hasn’t found much success running the ball.
Hundley has been more successful through the air, passing for nearly 400 yards against Memphis after 242 versus Virginia. The go-to WR for the Bruins is Jordan Payton, but the offensive passing attack spreads the ball to several receivers.
UCLA DEFENSE
After watching the UCLA defense score 3 TDs against Virginia in week one, there was a sense that the strength of the team might just be on that side of the ball. But week 2 brought on new concerns as Memphis put up 300 yards and 1 TD through the air and 160 yards and 3 TDs on the ground.
Over the past two games, UCLA has allowed 84 and 85 offensive plays to their opponents, a high number for any defense to allow. Against the ground game, UCLA has given up120 and 164 yards in the first two games. When their opponents passed the ball, the Bruins have allowed 266 and 305 yards and 3 total TD’s. The Bruin defense did have 2 interceptions in the first half against UVA.
The Bruins have not had much success in the sack department, only totaling one sack over the first two games. While UCLA scored 3 TDs off of turnovers (2 INT, 1 FF) against Virginia, all of those scores came in the second quarter of the first game. From the 1:20 mark in the 2nd quarter of that game on, UCLA’s defense has surrendered 45 points, recorded one sack, and hasn’t forced a turnover.
UCLA SPECIAL TEAMS
Thus far, UCLA’s special teams have not been very good. The Bruin kicker, Ka’imi Fairbairn is 0 for 1 on the season, missing from 44 yards out, as well as being only 4/5 on extra points. UCLA’s punter, Matt Mengel, averages 37 yards per punt, with a long of 45 yards.
UCLA has a dangerous return man in Ishmael Adams who is a threat for a big return at any time, but he is prone to fumbling the football. One positive for UCLA is that their kick coverage is good and hasn’t allowed a return longer than 22 yards.
MATCHUPS:
Texas QB/WR/TE’s v. UCLA DB’s
Tyrone Swoopes was impressive in his first start last week against BYU. Being called on to start in place of David Ash, Swoopes was accurate and showed poise under pressure. UCLA brings in a defense that was burned for over 300 yards against Memphis last week and they haven’t been able to stop the air attack since Virginia pulled their starting QB in the second quarter of UCLA’s first game.
From what Texas has shown so far in the passing game, the Longhorns have the ability to move the ball through the air. Strong and Watson have mentioned opening up the playbook a little more this week, so expect to see more downfield passes.
UCLA’s ineffectiveness against the pass over the last 6 quarters gives Texas some hope to be able to showcase Swoopes a little more than last week.
Advantage: 
