UCLA Football Preview: Opponents Are Running All Over Colorado Defense
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UCLA Football Preview: Opponents Are Running All Over Colorado Defense
The Buffs are averaging 348 yards rushing per game so far this season, which should open things up for Zach Charbonnet.
Let’s talk defense. Specifically, let’s talk about the Colorado defense that the UCLA Bruins will face tomorrow when they play the Buffaloes.
If the Buffalo offense wasn’t as bad as it’s been, we’d be talking a lot about how bad the Colorado defense is. The Buff defense is ranked 119th of 131 FBS schools. After three games, they are allowing more than 42 points per game. Ouch.
So, it seems that the Bruins will find the end zone early and often tomorrow.
It isn’t just a matter of how many points that Colorado has given up. What’s really interesting is how the Buffs are giving up yards to opponents. The Colorado defense is averaging 348 yards per game on the ground while holding them to an average of 104 yards per game through the air.
So, it seems, at least on paper, that tomorrow could be the breakout game we’ve been waiting to see from Zach Charbonnet.
Colorado actually lists 12 starters on their depth chart. They list three defensive linemen, one outside linebacker, three inside backers, a pair of cornerbacks, a pair of safeties and a nickel back.
The odd thing here is that they are listing three inside linebackers and just one outside backer. That could mean that they are using the outside linebacker, which they call an Edge as an edge rusher.
It also implies that the Buffs will be in a nickel defense for much of the game. What isn’t clear is which linebacker will be removed in favor of the nickel back. It could be one of the three middle linebackers or it could be the Edge OLB.
Either way, the fact that the Buffs are getting run in a way similar to Ralphie stampeding seems to indicate that defensive coordinator Chris Wilson is trying to stop the pass first and teams are taking advantage of that and running all over the Colorado defense.
At the same time, it could just be a situation that opponents have built up a big lead quickly and opted to stay on the ground rather than needing to go to the air so much.
Let’s look at the Buffs’ defensive personnel.
Defensive Line
Rather than listing one defensive tackle as the nose tackle, Colorado simply lists two defensive tackles. One starting DT will be 6’ 2” junior Na’im Rodman. Rodman leads the defensive line with nine tackles so far including one TFL. Junior Jalen Sami will start at the other defensive tackle spot. He has six tackles so far.
The Buffaloes’ starting defensive end is senior Terrance Lang. While he has 9.5 career sacks, he hasn’t gotten one yet this season, but he does have eight tackles including one TFL.
Assuming that the Edge linebacker is an edge rusher, I’m going to mention that position here under the defensive line. A pair of seniors have shared the starting duties at the Edge. Jamar Montgomery got the start for Colorado’s first two games of the season while Guy Thomas started last week against Minnesota. Thomas has been the more effective of the two. He has 16 tackles including two TFLs while Montgomery has only made two tackles so far. Expect to see Thomas more than Montgomery as he has played twice as many snaps.
Linebackers
Colorado lists three inside linebacker positions on their depth chart. I don’t quite understand why at least one wouldn’t be an outside linebacker, but that’s probably just me.
Senior Quinn Perry will start as the Mike linebacker. Not surprisingly given how much rushing yardage the team has given up, Perry leads the team in tackles with 29. Only one of those has been a tackle for loss.
Grad transfer Josh Chandler-Semedo will start at the Sam linebacker spot. Chandler-Semedo came to Colorado this season after playing at West Virginia as an undergrad. He’s been an important part of the Buffalo defense so far. He ranks second on the team with 20 tackles including three TFLs. He is one of just two Buffs to sack the opposing quarterback so far.
Mo ILB Robert Barnes is in his second year as a grad transfer. The Mo Inside Linebacker is a weakside inside linebacker. He played at Oklahoma before joining Colorado last season. He has made seven tackles this season. Expect him to be focused on pass coverage as he played linebacker and safety with the Sooners.
Secondary
Sophomore strong safety Trevor Woods leads the secondary with 19 tackles including a TFL. He is also the best on the team with three third down stops. Senior Isaiah Lewis will start at free safety. Lewis is fifth on the team in tackles with 14.
A pair of sophomores will start at the corners. Kaylin Moore and Nikko Reed will start for the Buffs there. Moore has made nine tackles while Reed has added eight.
When Colorado goes to a nickel, look for them to send in sophomore Tyrin Taylor. It doesn’t look like Taylor has had much of an effect on the Colorado defense. He has only two tackles, which is the lowest among the Buffaloes who have played at least 80 plays. Taylor has been on the field for 97 snaps so far.
Analysis
There’s a reason that coaches watch film. It’s to see what opponents are doing on the field. Given the expanded Colorado depth chart, it isn’t clear what Chris Wilson is up to on defense, but I can say that whatever it is, it isn’t working.
With Jerry Azzinaro now retired, Wilson may be one of the worst defensive coordinators in the FBS.
It should make for a fun offensive game for the Bruins tomorrow.
Go Bruins!!!
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UCLA Football Preview: Opponents Are Running All Over Colorado Defense
CU defense isn't as bad as the stats suggest, primarily because the offense can't stay on the field and continually puts the D in a bad spot. That said, they're still not very good and we should score like they vote in Chicago (early and often).