UCLA has controlled its own destiny for two weeks, ever since Utah lost to USC back on Oct. 24. Those two rival teams will largely define the second half of the Bruins’ conference schedule, as the Utes and Trojans sit at the very end of conference play.
Flying under the radar but just as menacing is Washington State, a team slowly building a postseason campaign following its upset of Oregon last month. Heading to the Rose Bowl on Saturday, the Cougars have the potential to derail a Bruin season that just recently got back on track.
“I haven’t watched them yet. I’ve seen a couple games this year though,” said senior receiver Jordan Payton. “They’re a phenomenal team. They can really sling it over there.”
In Washington State’s latest matchup in its resurgent run, the Cougars defeated the Arizona State Sun Devils 45-42. Quarterback Luke Falk threw for 514 yards and five touchdowns, four of which were caught by receiver Gabe Marks.
“Gabe’s from Venice, I’m from Santa Monica, so we grew up around each other, played a lot of football with each other,” Payton said. “He’s a phenomenal receiver – someone I watch a lot.”
Marks is one piece of a successful pass-heavy offense Washington State is currently riding to a 6-3 season record and a near-upset of Stanford on Oct. 31. Payton and junior wide receiver Thomas Duarte both emphasized the strength of the Cougar offense.
“High-flying air raid is what I’ve been hearing so far,” Payton said. “It’s gonna be a night show, so it’s gonna be fun.”
The last time UCLA faced a pass-heavy offense, Cal, it limited the Golden Bears to their lowest scoring output the season, rendering quarterback Jared Goff ineffective in the Bruins’ 40-24 upset of a then-conference powerhouse.
UCLA also has its own offensive threat in the dynamic duo of freshman quarterback Josh Rosen and Duarte, who has scored six touchdowns in the last five games.
“I see the defense a lot differently,” Duarte said. “I’ve spent more time in the film room and spent more time with the coaches really … understanding the defense.”
If the Bruins can give the Cougars the same treatment they gave the Golden Bears, UCLA might just carry the momentum heading into its two biggest matchups of the season.
Compiled by Claire Fahy, Bruin Sports senior staff.