UCLA Football Preview: Can the Bruins Exploit the Spartans' Weak Pass Defense?
What will Jerry Neuheisel be up against as he looks for an encore of last week's magic?
It’s time to look at the defense that Jerry Neuheisel, Nico Iamaleava and the Bruin offense will be up against tomorrow.
As I mentioned the other day, the Spartan defense is very good against the country. In fact, they have the 33rd best run defense in the nation. But they are terrible against the pass. They are ranked 108th in passing yards allowed. They are also allowing 30.6 points per game, which ranks 112th in the nation.
So, in order for UCLA to be successful tomorrow, they will probably need to throw the ball more than they have in any game this season. Of course, going to the passing game also opens up the run for the Bruins because Iamaleava has the ability to improvise and take off running if his receivers are well-covered.
If you asked me a week ago how I thought this matchup would go, I certainly would have said that the Bruin offense would probably be overmatched, but after seeing last week’s offensive display, I’m much more optimistic that UCLA will be able to get after the Spartan defense.
Let’s look at the defensive personnel for Michigan State.
Defensive Line
The Spartans will line up with four defensive linemen. Unlike UCLA’s previous opponents this season, Michigan State isn’t calling both outside defensive linemen “defensive ends.” Instead, they are labeling one as a “defensive end” and the other as an “edge.”
The starting edge will be redshirt senior Isaac Smith. Normally, you might expect the edge rusher to be a defensive beast. At least in the case of the starting Spartan edge rusher, you would be wrong. That’s because Smith has made just eight tackles in five games. He has no sacks, no TFLs, no quarterback hurries, and no other stats whatsoever.
In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if backup edge David Santiago gets the start because, at least, he has 1.5 TFLs, a sack, a pass breakup and a QB hurry to go with his eight tackles.
By contrast, junior defensive end Jalen Thompson looks better on paper than the two edge rushers. Thompson is sixth on the team in tackles with 15 including 4.5 TFLs and two sacks. He also has a pass breakup and three quarterback hurries. He will be backed up by Quindarius Dunnigan, who leads the team in QB hurries with four.
Redshirt junior Alex VanSumeran will be one of the defensive tackles. VanSumeran is fourth on the team in tackles with 19 including 1.5 TFLs and a sack. The other starting defensive tackle will be either Ben Roberts or Grady Kelly. Roberts, a redshirt junior, started the first four games for Michigan State. He’s made eight tackles so far. While Roberts played last week, Grady Kelly got the start instead. Kelly has made seven tackles including two TFLs. He also has a quarterback hurry as well as a pass breakup and fumble recovery.
Linebackers
With the Spartans running a 4-2-5 nickel, look for them to start junior Jordan Hall and redshirt senior Wayne Matthews III. These guys are clearly the defensive leaders. Hall leads the team in tackles with 38 including 3.5 TFLs and two sacks. He also has an interception, a quarterback hurry and a forced fumble. Matthews’ 31 tackles, including two TFLs, is good for second on the team in tackles. He also has intercepted one pass.
Secondary
Senior Malik Spencer will be one of the two starting safeties while the other one will be Amaron Smith. Spencer is third on the team with 21 tackles including two TFLs and two sacks. Spencer also leads the team in pass breakups with three. Meanwhile, Smith is tied for seventh with 14 tackles, and he also has an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recover.
The starting corners will be redshirt senior Malcolm Bell and super senior Joshua Eaton. Bell transferred to Michigan State this year after playing last season at UConn under Jim Mora. Bell has made 11 tackles including half a TFL, and he’s broken up two passes as well. Eaton is a transfer as well. He is in his sixth season of college football, having spent three years at Oklahoma before heading to Texas State and, now, Michigan State. He’s made 13 tackles this season.
The starting nickel back will be senior Ade Willie. Willie is fifth on the team in tackles with 16 including two TFLs. Willie also has a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry.
Analysis
One thing we haven’t discussed may be the biggest intangible of all: UCLA secondary coach Demetrice Martin spent last season on the coaching staff at Michigan State.
Considering the fact that the Spartans have the same defensive coordinator, I fully expect Coach Meat to help Jerry Neuheisel devise ways to exploit the Spartan defense.
Ultimately, that may be just what the Bruins need to go into East Lansing and come out with the win in what I expect to be a very close game.
Go Bruins!!!
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