It’d be easy to overlook San Diego State. After all, the
Aztecs don’t have the athletes that UCLA has.
But the last time the Bruins played a California state school,
it was Fresno State in last year’s Silicon Valley Classic.
(We may have to ask them what their definition of a classic is.)
The Bulldogs played like a team with nothing to lose and everything
to gain, while UCLA played timid and frustrated.
This case is no different. You only need to look at the way the
Aztecs handled themselves in the Big House, aka Michigan’s
home stadium. They put a huge scare into the blue and maize before
being turned away, 24-21.
So what makes San Diego State so dangerous?
First of all, they have Air Craft, the name of Aztec coach Tom
Craft’s offense. San Diego State quarterback Matt Dlugolecki
is a former UCLA recruit, and he has a great pair of wide receivers
in Robert Ortiz and Jeff Webb. If you missed it, they make it a
point to try to top each other with outstanding one-handed grabs.
If you still don’t believe me, it made SportsCenter’s
Top 10 List, which is now the official benchmark for whether a
player made a great play or simply a good play. Those two wide
receivers both made great plays.
Second, their linebacking corps is one of the best in the
country. The Aztecs are led by Kirk Morrison, and he’s
flanked by stud Matt McCoy, who had 18 tackles against Michigan.
And these guys fly to the ball. Undoubtedly, this will be one of
those games where UCLA quarterback Drew Olson will have to pass to
set up the run.
Which brings us to the next point. The Aztecs could easily force
UCLA to become one-dimensional. If no one steps up in Bragg’s
place, the Bruins would be literally running right into the
strength of the San Diego State defense, which means it could be a
defensive battle. Sure, UCLA rushed for over 400 yards against
Washington, but that was when Bragg was present to keep the safety
honest. With Taylor and Perry as the starting wideouts, I
wouldn’t be surprised to see a steady diet of eight men in
the box. And I would expect those cutback lanes ““ so readily
available against Washington ““ to be scarce against the
Aztecs.
That having been said, the Aztecs aren’t exactly
world-beaters, either. Sure, they played well at Michigan in front
of 104,000 fans, but lately, who hasn’t? It’s not the
Michigan of old. The Aztecs also had a case of the jitters.
Numerous false starts and turnovers ultimately doomed San Diego
State, which is a testament to its inexperience and youth.
Even more of a sticking point is their lack of offensive
linemen. With two more linemen going down in their last game, the
Aztecs are now down to six offensive linemen and one walk-on who
weighs 240 pounds. Imagine fullback Pat Norton at left tackle. For
the first time, the defensive linemen will get to lick their chops
and maybe get a sack or two. Or at least get some penetration into
the backfield instead of just loitering around the line of
scrimmage.
Because it could very easily turn into a defensive affair, UCLA
will need to limit its turnovers and mistakes and be selective
about its chances downfield. This will be a game about who steps up
in the absence of those who have gone down. If San Diego State can
find a couple of offensive linemen who play well in the place of
their fallen comrades, the Aztecs can move the ball. If UCLA finds
a wide receiver to step up in the place of Bragg, the Bruins look
to be in good shape for the win.
E-mail Tran at btran@media.ucla.edu.