By Aztec_Republic
Contributing Writer
Both UCLA and SDSU are coming off week-1 victories and confidence is at an all-time high. It’s been a upbeat, but hard-working week knowing this Saturday is a big southern California matchup. A legacy PAC-12 team turned Big Ten program against the new PAC-12 Aztecs—this should be a good game.
All the talk about resources, polos and khakis is over with. It’s time to, as coach Lewis would say, put the ball down.
We take a look at what each side needs to do in order to escape the Rose Bowl with a victory. What do you think, did we nail it?
San Diego State Will Win If They Do This …
1. Carry the offensive momentum into Pasadena
The biggest positive from Week 1 was the Aztecs’ ability to put points on the board. After scoring 53 against Portland State, the Aztecs should enter the Rose Bowl with confidence in what this offense can become.
But that also includes the special teams. Two blocked punts and a kickoff return TD helped open things up for the Aztecs. Can they get this similar type of boost in Pasadena? We’ll see.
2. Let the defense build on its Week 1 performance
Holding Portland State to 20 points is not necessarily the headline, but the 53-20 win gave a young Aztec defense valuable live-game experience before facing a much more talented opponent. The challenge now is taking that improvement into a Big Ten stadium against UCLA.
A historic venue such as the Rose Bowl, despite UCLA’s lack of sellouts, can be very scary for the young players, especially the underclassmen who are still new to playing at the college level. It will be up for Lewis & staff to instill the confidence all week long that they will need to perform big in a big time college football environment.
3. Make UCLA respect the Aztecs physically
This is the matchup where the Aztecs’ identity can really matter. The Aztecs have historically built their success around physical football and the running game, and their statistical profile entering this matchup supports leaning into that strength.
SDSU averaged 198.2 rushing yards per game last season, while UCLA allowed 190.7. Though UCLA is a much different team defensively than then, the Aztecs should not be. They need to lean into power runs with Lucky Suttton even if it doesn’t pay off early. And the defense must channel their Rocky Long fly to the ball, don’t be soft mentality. This is the game to do it.
UCLA Will Win If They Do This …
1. The Bruins’ run game takes over
The biggest concern for SDSU is allowing UCLA to establish the run and control the line of scrimmage physically. The Bruins had four rushing touchdowns against Cal, including three in the fourth quarter, and finished with explosive rushing plays that helped them pull away. The runners themselves are physical and can hit home runs, but the trenches is where they really opened up those holes.
2. If Nico Iamaleava gets easy plays
The Bruins’ biggest individual offensive weapon is quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who can hurt a defense both through the air and with his legs. He scored the first touchdown for the Bruins against Cal on a 9-yard run, while the Bruins’ offense ultimately produced 45 points.
If you give Nico time, he can throw it on a dime. He’s a senior QB with plenty of tools around him. If the Aztecs don’t make things difficult in the defensive backfield with their coverages and disguising themselves, Iamaleava’s eyes should be good enough to pick them apart at the wrong times.
3. Don’t waste offensive possessions
The Aztecs’ offense was extremely opportunistic against Portland State, but there were still signs that the Aztecs cannot afford to leave points on the field against UCLA. Jayden Denegal finished 12-of-17 for 137 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, while the Aztecs relied heavily on turnovers and special teams to create separation.
Denegal must show that he can carry the team at times if the run game isn’t it’s dominant self. His big arm can make all the throws, now can he sustain the game all four quarters and make the dynamic touchdowns that it will take to beat a team with the nation’s media on their side.
It’s going to be a fun one down in Pasadena. We’ll have all the wrap up coverage after the game and be sure to check out our latest Sons of Montezuma episode looking at this hyped up matchup.
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