Breaking Down UCLA

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Kevin Parks and UVa open the season with UCLA this Saturday. ~ Mike Ingalls

With kickoff against UCLA less than 24 hours away, it’s time to take a closer look at the Bruins. Each week, there will be a breakdown of the upcoming game that includes video, in-depth analysis, and a few things to expect from the opponent.

You know Brett Hundley is an outstanding quarterback and that Myles Jack is a talented linebacker. You know that UCLA won 10 games last season. You know that the preseason polls are high on the Bruins, who own the No. 7 spot in the top 25. It’s time for a closer look, though.

Let’s break down the Bruins.

Offense

UCLA is a spread team, using almost exclusively shot gun or Pistol looks with Hundley. There are many variations on that theme with three receivers, four receivers, and five receivers possible. The Pistol formation (running back behind the shotgun quarterback) also has diamond and modified diamond components (click to see multiple goal line examples against Washington) where there is also a fullback/H-Back (or two) aligned beside Hundley. Remember, BYU had some success with that diamond-style Pistol in last season’s opener. There are also a lot of inside handoffs that look like read option (ball in the belly of the running back and the quarterback reads the free defender to determine whether to keep or hand off), but aren’t read option at all – the ball is going to the back no matter what. The issue is that you have to honor and account for Hundley anyway due to his running ability.

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