Gopher Football “DO’s and DON’Ts” vs. UCLA + Score Prediction

For the first time since 1962, Minnesota will travel to Pasadena to take on the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl. This will be just Minnesota’s second road test of the season through the first 7 weeks. UCLA will be coming off 4 straight losses, all of which came to ranked teams. The Bruins are in their first year under new head coach DeShaun Foster. Foster has had a rough start to his tenure, but the Bruins have looked better and better each week. Their defense is the stronger unit on this squad, as their d-line is able to stifle running games well. Their offense has looked lost so far this year, as their season-high for points is 17 against LSU. Minnesota will need to play disciplined against UCLA if they want to complete the season sweep of the new California BIG10 opponents. 

DO’s

• Lean on the passing attack
  • Last week against USC, Minnesota was finally able to get some production out of their run game in BIG10 play. Although they were finally efficient, UCLA has been gashed through the air throughout this season. Minnesota will still look to balance the offense with the run, but Greg Harbaugh Jr. should be scheming to have Max Brosmer throw more than he did a week ago. Additionally, look for the Gophers to continue to utilize the screen game to receivers and running backs.

• Shut down a BIG10 running back
  • Minnesota has been getting demolished by BIG10 running backs so far this season, but has faced some of the best the league has to offer thus far. UCLA leans heavily on the short passing game, as well as getting their QBs involved in the run game. Minnesota should be able to finally keep a BIG10 running back under triple-digit rushing yards. If they cannot and they allow UCLA to put long drives together, they could find themselves in trouble against a team desperate for a win. 

• Build on last week’s win

• • Minnesota had one of its biggest wins in the P.J. Fleck era against USC. So often after big wins teams come out flat the next week. This cannot happen for Minnesota, especially as they continue to work towards being bowl-eligible. UCLA is a game they are favored in on the road, therefore taking care of business and allowing momentum to continue building into the bye week will be critical. The Gophers will have quite the contingency of fans at the Rose Bowl, which should be able to get everyone going enough not to come out flat. 

DON’Ts

• Let UCLA’s receivers get free
  • Minnesota proved a week ago that their pass defense is legit. UCLA’s passing attack is much more of an extension of their run game, utilizing screens and dump-offs to try and get athletes into space. This means Minnesota will need to tackle well in the open field. If they allow UCLA’s athletic wide receivers into space, it could be difficult to get them down. The Gophers have shut down passing attacks often this season and will have a decent-sized test to do so again this week. 

• Let UCLA keep it close

• • There is no question that DeShaun Foster and the Bruins are hungry for a win. As said earlier, UCLA is coming off 4 straight blowout losses to ranked opponents. They have had this game against Minnesota circled as the one to get back on track, in order to salvage this season. Minnesota cannot afford to let UCLA hang around into the 4th quarter. If the game is close, UCLA will be giving it everything they have to try and sneak out their second win of the season

Score Prediction

Minnesota 33 – UCLA 16