Pasadena is preparing for a showdown of two Pac-12 heavy weight teams. The 13th ranked UCLA Bruins are hoping to keep their Pac-12 South dreams alive against the Washington Huskies. A loss at home on Friday could cost the team the chance to play in the title game. Injuries have hurt the Bruins, but some creative coaching could get the team their eighth straight win at home.
Jordon James is likely going to be out due to a nagging ankle injury, leaving the run game up to linebacker Myles Jack. Yes, head coach Jim Mora is considering using Jack in the backfield and possibly in some Wildcat scenarios. The linebacker was heavily recruited as a running back, but opted to switch to a linebacker. Jack had 120 yards rushing, while also putting up eight tackles in the team's win over the Arizona Wildcats. He was on the field for 115 to 118 plays that game.
Against the Huskies, Mora is planning the same kind of action for Jack with James being uncertain. Washington has the weak run defense to allow for a big game from Jack. On the season they have given up an average of 209.5 yards rushing per game.
Washington is in deep need to get back on track after losing to No. 5 Stanford, Oregon and Arizona State in three-straight games. They won big against California and Buffalo, hoping to carry the momentum into Pasadena.
The game will be a battle of the quarterbacks. Keith Price is looking for third-straight 300-yard pass game after completing 68.9 percent of his passes. Brett Hundley is also a force. In his last two games, he has thrown for 500 yards and four touchdowns.
There is no doubting that UCLA will be tough to play at home. The Bruins have won the past four games by an average of 16.5 points per game. Washington has the fast-paced offense to upset the team.
