Sun Bowl Preview (UCLA / Northwestern)
In the most interesting match-up short off the Rose Bowl this season, the Bruins out of UCLA head to El Paso, Texas to take on Northwestern for the Vitalis Sun Bowl.
You may be wondering why a game that has a 9-2 team that lost their last game by 47 points, and a 7-4 Wildcat team that also took a lopsided defeat in the final weeks of the season, would be interesting to the bettor. Well this game features the two of the most potent offenses in the nation.
UCLA is seventh in the nation in points scored with 38.1 points a game, not surprising for a team playing out of the Pac 10. The Bruins also produce 429 yards per game, including 281.9 yards in the air, most of which from Drew Olson.
Northwestern also boasts a solid offense in a tough Big Ten conference. They are in the top 10 in the nation in yards gained per game with 492.7 a game, with almost 300 of those yards coming from the arm of Brett Basanez. The Wildcats do not waste these yards as they average 31.8 points a game.
The defenses of these teams are a different story. The Wildcats allow 482.9 yards of total offense and 32.5 points per game, which could be trouble against the offensive juggernaut UCLA. However, UCLA also has some difficulty on the defensive side of the ball allowing 33.8 points a contest. UCLA defensive stats may seem ghastly, but you do have to consider the conference they play in and the scores that are produced by five of the nations top 25 offenses.
Drew Olson at QB, who had an incredible regular season, leads UCLAs offense. He threw for 31 TDs while only throwing three interceptions all season, for a NCAA leading 10.33 touchdowns per interception. This will be Olsons final game in Bruins blue and will be looking to make amends for two losses in UCLAs last two bowl games.
On the other side of the ball Brett Basanez will be taking the snaps. He will leave Northwestern with school records in completions, passing yards, and total offense. This season he threw for 3206 yards, 19 TDs and only six interceptions. Basanez is a threat on the ground as well running for 391 yards and seven touchdowns.
UCLA has more than just an air attack, as their ground attack has generated offense all season. Maurice Drew entered the end zone on fifteen occasions carrying the ball for the Bruins, and if he does not take it be sure that tight end Mercedes Lewis will rumble his way through.
Northwestern, although known more for their air attack, also have a stud in their backfield in Tyrell Sutton who rushed for 1379 yards, and 18 touchdowns on the year. Sutton set the tone against Illinois in their final regular season game rushing for 212 yards on 34 touches. For the air attack to be effective they will need the run game to keep the Bruin defense on their toes.
In the first meeting between these teams in 35 years, UCLA will be looking for their first 10 win season since 1998, but recent bowl game history is not on their side at the Vitalis Sun Bowl.
JT
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