By Juan Roque for DieHardDevil.com

The Arizona State Sun Devils are back on the road this week to travel to a place they would like to visit again on January 2nd…the Rose Bowl.  On Saturday, the Sun Devils (6-2) will face their Pac-12 conference foe UCLA Bruins in what turns out to be a game of major importance for the newly created South Division. The Bruins (4-4) are still on a mission to redeem themselves after a disastrous Thursday night on ESPN game a few weeks back where they were throttled by a struggling Arizona Wildcats team that was playing under an new interim coach.  The Bruins were out of synch and played uninspired in the 48-12 drubbing in Tucson.  Since that game, the blogosphere and sports talk radio has been on fire in regards to UCLA’s head coach Rick Neuheisel’s job security.  Many predicted that the beleaguered UCLA coach would join former Arizona coach Mike Stoops in the unemployment line after such a disappointing loss.  In less than two weeks, fortunes changed dramatically in Westwood and now the Bruins are feeling much better about where they are as a team and as a program.  After being embarrassed against the Wildcats, the Bruins responded by regrouping and dominating Cal last week 31-14.  With that win in the books, all of the sudden the Bruins have positioned themselves to have an opportunity to contend for the South Division and have something to play for against the favored Sun Devils.

Enter Arizona State

The Sun Devils are 4-1 in conference play and coming off a solid win at home against a struggling Colorado team.  The Sun Devils dominated the Buffaloes while cruising to a 48-14 win and are now sitting in the driver seat in the South.  While UCLA’s coach is fighting for his job and doing what he can to bring some relevance back to Westwood, ASU’s Dennis Erickson is feeling pretty good about where his team is at after eight games into the season.  The Sun Devils have established themselves as a big play offense, and their defense is emerging as a reliable unit that does not give up much without a fight.  Other than Oregon’s big second half against them on the ground, the Sun Devils have been steady in their bend but don’t break approach.  In conference play, the Sun Devils have outscored their opponents 188-111 for a 37.6 – 22.2 per game scoring average.  This week, ASU will be looking to take another step towards locking up their division and earning a spot in the inaugural championship game.  This game will also have somewhat of a revenge angle to it as ASU was beat by UCLA the last time they faced each other at the Rose Bowl in 2009, especially for the players from California on each team.  The Bruins won the game 23-13 and became bowl eligible while the Sun Devils limped to a 4-8 record that year.

Meet the Bruins on Offense

UCLA uses multiple sets that range from Pro-Style to the old school Pistol formation.  The Bruins suffered a huge loss two weeks ago when starting quarterback Richard Breuhat broke his leg against Washington State.  The Bruins then had to turn to benched quarterback Kevin Prince who single handedly ran over the Cal Bears last week in the Bruins’ rout gaining 163 yards on the ground.  On the season, Prince’s passing numbers are far from stellar completing 40 passes on 76 attempts for 636 yards.  The one advantage he does have is his competitive fire and his will to win.  What makes him a dangerous player is that he is out to prove himself after being benched earlier in the season.

In the passing game, the Bruins boast one of the league’s more experienced receivers in Nelson Rosario.  Rosario is huge at 6’5″ 240 and has the tools and physical approach to dominate defensive backs.  He is a decent route runner, has good hands and has strong jumping ability which gives him an advantage over smaller defensive backs.  Rosario has not been as productive as expected, but those shortcomings are more due to shaky quarterback play than his performance on the field.  In 2011, he is the team’s leading receiver with 35 catches for 614 yards but has yet to find the endzone.  Notre Dame transfer and Los Angeles native Shaquelle Evans is a receiver that has play making ability but is still learning the Bruins’ system.  Evans has caught 11 passes for 164 yards in 2011 and will be looking to be more involved in the offense as the season winds down.

Bruin Quarterback, Kevin Prince

In the run game, the Bruins use a one two punch in tailbacks Jonathan Franklin and Derrick Coleman.  Franklin is a “slasher” type runner who is tough to catch once he gets going in the open field. On the season, Franklin has run 96 times for 576 yards, averages 5.9 yards per carry and has scored three touchdowns.  Coleman is a “big” back and uses his 240 pound frame to run people over and get the tough yards between the tackles. He also has the speed to break away for long runs and is the goal line runner having scored nine touchdowns in 2011.  On the season, Coleman has run 84 times for 530 yards and boasts a five yard per carry average.  Fullback Joseph Fauria is not featured as a runner in the offense, but is the second leading receiver on the team with 16 catches for 231 yards and is a short yardage scoring threat with four touchdowns on the year.

On the offensive line the Bruins boast a potential all-conference player in senior left tackle Jeff Baca.  Baca, a 6’4″ 305 pound junior, is coming off an ankle injury from spring football but improves each week and plays with a mean streak. Right tackle Mike Harris is a big boy also at 6’5″ 326 pounds and is fairly athletic for a player of his size.

How the Sun Devils match up

On paper the offense is not as impressive as others in the conference, but the Bruins still have talent at key positions.  The one area of the ASU defense that will need to be on high alert Friday is the front seven.  Prince ran all over the field against the Bears out of the Pistol formation and will be looking to repeat that performance against ASU.  This is a discipline game for the defensive line and the linebackers, very similar to what they faced in Oregon.  To avoid Prince fooling them into making mistakes on their reads, they have to really trust their preparation and coaching.  They have to be able to identify when UCLA is in the Pistol and then be very precise in their reactions to the run fake.  The defensive line must maintain their position and also hold their lanes to allow the linebackers to “spy” Prince and bring him down hard when he decides to run. The front seven will also need to handle the Bruin running game with their two back attack.  When Coleman is running the ball, he will be lowering his shoulders and attempting to run over defenders. This guy has to be tackled at the waist.  Shoestring tackles or aiming too high will not work because of his strength.  Franklin is the speed guy, and ASU will need to play him honest and then physically punish him when they get a chance.  Shutting down the run game is key because Prince is not a prolific passer.

  Making him beat you through the air plays right into the ASU defense’s hands.  In the secondary, Rosario and Evans need to be controlled and not allowed to break free for big catches.  If these guys are smothered in coverage and the defensive line plays to its ability, it’s lights out Bruins!

Ket Matchup: Burfict, Lyons and Parker vs. Prince’s Pistol

Meet the Bruin defense

The Bruin defense can be described as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.  They are a schizophrenic unit that at times looks great and at others looks porous and inept.  The running game is the Bruins’ biggest weakness.  They rank eleventh in the conference stopping the run allowing 184.6 yards per game.  In the passing game, the Bruins have proven formidable ranking fourth in the conference allowing 238.6 yards per game.  While not stellar, they have been effective and last week against Cal they played possibly their best game allowing 333 total yards, intercepting four passes and sacking Cal quarterback Zach Maynard three times.

On the defensive line, the Bruins have a play maker in Datone Jones.  Jones moved from defensive end to tackle against Cal last week and had his best game of the year.  The 6’5″ 275 pound junior had two sacks, six total tackles including two tackles for loss.  He is a very quick, strong and athletic player that can be difficult to block.  He also uses his hands well and has decent closing speed.  Junior Donovan Carter is also very active on the line as well and may start, but is effective off the bench and leads the defensive line with 23 tackles.

At the linebacker position, junior Pat Larimore is their best player.  Larimore plays in the middle and is physical, likes to mix it up, has decent speed and leads the Bruin defense in tackles with 49.  He is always around the football and will definitely need to be accounted for.  Larimore has also made several big plays this season including a forced fumble. Weak side Linebacker Sean Westgate has at times been dominant and has posted 27 tackles along with two interceptions.

In the secondary, UCLA features a future star in redshirt freshman safety Tevin McDonald.  McDonald had his break out game last week against Cal intercepting three passes and making seven tackles.  At corner, the Bruins have experience and talent in Stan McKay and Sheldon Price.  Both are solid in coverage  and support the run fairly well.  Price is the more active of the two with 24 tackles, an interception, five pass breakups and six defended passes.  He is a guy that will make receivers pay while trying to grab less than accurate passes.

How the Sun Devils match up

The biggest question for the ASU offense  will be where Datone Jones lines up.  Last week he moved to tackle and had a great outing.  Whether at end or tackle, he needs to be controlled.  Dan Knapp or Mike Marcisz will be facing him and will need to play at their best to keep him in check and off of Brock Osweiler.  Given the Bruins have been struggling to stop opposing teams from running the football, this is a game where Cameron Marshall can shine and dominate now that he is at 100%.  Marshall looked like his old self last week and this is a good opportunity for him to close in on 1,000 yards for the season.  In the passing game, there is no scientific formula needed to beat UCLA.  With the running game moving with Marshall, the Bruins have no choice but to move an extra person in the box to neutralize the ASU rushing attack. This game presents a great check down opportunity for Brock Osweiler. If he indentifies the safety cheating up on the run, he will have the ability to check into a quick strike pass and hit the open receiver with only the free safety to beat.  The Rose Bowl will not be a packed house, so crowd noise will not be a factor.  Checking off the run gives ASU a huge advantage over the Bruin secondary and will open the door for Gerell Robinson, Mike Willie and company to have a monster outing.

Key Matchup: Knapp or Marcisz vs. Datone Jones

Sun Devil Wide Receiver, Mike Willie

Summary

Rick Neuheisel is doing everything he can to keep his job and UCLA still has some signs of life and something to play for at home on Saturday. Dennis Erickson is looking to continue momentum and win his first outright Pac-12 title with a victory over the Bruins. Both teams will take the field with a sense of urgency and purpose as both have realistic goals in front of them.  Unfortunately for the Bruins, they lack the talent on defense necessary to stop the ASU spread offense attack.  Marshall will run over the Bruins, Brock will pick them apart and the defense will harass Kevin Prince and make him a non factor.  Expect the Bruins to keep it interesting for a quarter, but they will simply not be able to keep up with the fast paced ASU offense. ASU cruises in Pasadena and comes home 7-2 with a firm grip on the Pac-12 South and a potential trip back to the Rose Bowl in January.