The problem with this game is UCLA with Dorrell is not a proven commodity. OU is with Stoops. UCLA has not win big games under HC Dorrell. Stoops at OU has. This is a big game and what is interesting about it is UCLA is expected to win and to win by double digits.
UCLA has not been tested this year and you can say the same for OU. However, UCLA has looked far more impressive. Again, the difference is OU players/coaches have been in big games and come out winners. @UCLA they have only come out losers in big games.
Now that UCLA is expected to win, they prob. will come out tight. You have to think OU will be the much looser team. I also think OU will be the better prepared team under Stoops.
Can any UCLA backers say with confidence how QB Drew Olson will perform in a big game? So far this season he has looked solid but that is against SDSU and Rice. He was not a stud last year and IMO not a reliable QB. Can any UCLA backers say with confidence how well the DL of UCLA will be stopping the rush? UCLA RB Drew is awesome (legit top 10 RB in country and prob. top 5) but the guy has a serious fumbling problem. Has he fixed it? The way I look at it this game is 50/50. But I admit I have not watched ANY OU games this season. I think if UCLA doesn't turn the ball over, they win. But win by how much? If UCLA turns the ball over, they will lose! That gives OU more carries to wear down UCLA D and prob. great field position. How well will UCLA face adversity? That is where coaching is vital and who know how good of a coach Dorrell is. IMO jury is still out.
If I was OU DC, I would stack the line and blitz the hell out of UCLA. You will shut down Drew and get pressure on QB. I think OU has good enough DB's/secondary to play man on man. UCLA WR's are horrible in getting separation. OU has to make sure they do not forget about UCLA TE Lewis is is a top 3 TE in the country. This will frustrate UCLA and I think be very successful. Rice and SDSU do not have OU athletes on D. If OU sits back and doesn't pressure UCLA, the WC offense will move the chains down the field. Make UCLA make big plays to beat you. If I followed OU closely and new they would use this style of defense, I prob. make OU a wager. I think it would work. Of course it could backfire with Drew who is very explosive. If he gets past the LOS it is a TD. But you gotta take risks. None of the UCLA WR's or TE's are explosive. Lewis has big height advantage where Drew can just throw ball up for grabs. But OU should all out blitz. Hell, maybe UCLA won't be smart enough to adjust. It def. will increase OU chances of forcing TO's. UCLA has a QB and RB who will turn the ball over.
All in all, this is tough game to cap. I def. wouldn't throw any big wager on either side.
