Texas vs. UCLA Complete Game Preview

The Texas Longhorns have a chance to quiet the critics after the embarrassing loss it suffered to BYU in Week 2.

But bouncing back against No. 12 UCLA will not be an easy task.

The 2-0 Bruins have yet to play a complete game this season, but they have a chance to rectify that against the young, injury-plagued Longhorns.

Can Texas change the direction of the season by upsetting UCLA, or will the Longhorns rollover and finish nonconference play with a losing record? 

Let's take a look.

When: Saturday, Sept. 13, 8:00 p.m. ET

Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

TV: Fox

Austin radio: KVET 98.1/1300

SiriusXM satellite radio: XM 202; Sirius 117; Internet 969; Spanish 550

Last meeting: Sept. 17, 2011, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California

Last meeting outcome: Texas 49, UCLA 20

Spread: UCLA (-7.5), per OddsShark.com

Texas' Keys to Victory

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Pressure UCLA Offensive Line

The Longhorns are coming off of a game in which their defense held BYU to zero touchdowns in the first half, only to have the Cougars score 28 points in the third quarter alone.

This cannot happen against UCLA.

One of the more favorable matchups for the Longhorns is the defensive front seven against the Bruins offensive line.

The offensive line has struggled to keep the pressure off of quarterback Brett Hundley. UCLA's nine sacks allowed ties for second to last, and its 21 tackles for loss it has surrendered ranks dead last in NCAA Division I stats.

The Longhorns will need to overcome last week's awful second-half performance by punching the Bruins offensive line in the mouth early in the game.

Offensive Line Needs to Step Up

Texas' ground game is the strength of the offense, but it cannot be a factor until the offensive line opens holes for running backs Malcolm Brown and Johnathan Gray. 

The duo rushed for a combined 75-yards on 28 carries against BYU, which should never happen when you look at the talent Brown and Gray have.

The O-line is very young, but youth cannot be an excuse, especially when the Longhorns are coming off of an abysmal offensive performance to face a No. 12-ranked opponent. 

UCLA's Keys to Victory

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Play a Complete Game

The Bruins' season has not started the way most UCLA fans likely expected.

The season opener against Virginia could have been a massive upset if it weren't for the Bruins defense stepping up and scoring three touchdowns. The Bruins offense did not see the end zone until there was one minute left in the third quarter, but the one time helped UCLA edge past the Cavaliers, 28-20. 

The following week was the opposite story. The Bruins finished the game with 540 total yards of offense, but the defense gave up 469 yards in a 42-35 win over Memphis. 

If both sides of the ball can come together in Arlington, the Bruins should have no problem beating the inexperienced Longhorns.

Pressure Texas' Young O-Line

The Longhorns inexperienced offensive line is without a doubt the biggest issue for Texas this season.

Fifth-year senior center Dominic Espinosa is sidelined indefinitely due to a right ankle injury, and offensive tackles Desmond Harrison and Kennedy Estelle are suspended for violating team rules.

The trio combined for 49 career starts. Without them in the mix, the offensive line has 10 career starts among the five linemen.

UCLA's front seven needs to put pressure on the young group and close any holes the line attempts to make in the running game.

Texas Players to Watch

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Offense

Tyrone Swoopes

Texas quarterback Tyrone Swoopes has one career start under his belt. In his first game leading the team, Swoopes completed 20-of-31 passes for 176 yards and a touchdown.

The numbers aren't bad at all for a first-time starting quarterback. But the scheme on offense was very vanilla.

It's understandable that Texas coaches do not want to throw too much at Swoopes, given that he had only a few days to prepare for the game.

But the offensive game plan was obviously ineffective against BYU.

Quarterbacks coach and play-caller Shawn Watson needs to take some risks and dial up longer pass plays Swoopes, so he can get into a rhythm against UCLA.

Defense

Shiro Davis

Defensive end Cedric Reed is one of the biggest names on the Longhorns defense in 2014, which means opponents will look to double-team him.

Junior defensive end Shiro Davis plays opposite Reed and has to step up to the challenge to pressure opposing offenses when his fellow bookend is neutralized.

UCLA's offensive tackles have struggled against opponents early in the season, and the Longhorns will need to capitalize on the recent woes.

UCLA directing extra attention toward Reed could give Davis the opportunity to make an impact.

UCLA Players to Watch

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Offense

Brett Hundley

Quarterback Brett Hundley entered the season as an early Heisman Trophy candidate, but his team has not been consistent enough to help him obtain that dream.

The good news for Hundley and UCLA fans is that it's still early in the season.

Hundley poses a threat as a passer and a runner, and it will be very interesting to see how much the QB tests Texas' run defense.

The Longhorns are coming off a performance in which their defense gave up 248 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns to BYU. Cougars quarterback Taysom Hill was responsible for 99 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.

If UCLA learned anything from Texas in Week 2, it should be to keep pounding the Longhorn defense until it wears down in the second half of the game.

Defense

Entire Defensive Line

There's a solid chance Texas will try to pound the rock against UCLA's defense, which has given up more touchdowns (seven) than its offense has scored (six). But the defensive line has not been very effective for the Bruins thus far.

Not a single player on the Bruins defense has a complete sack. Backup defensive linemen Ellis McCarthy and Matt Dickerson share the lone sack the team has recorded. If UCLA is ever going to bust out of pass-pressure slump, it could happen Saturday against the Longhorns' very green offense. 

When one considers the number of inexperienced players on the Longhorns offensive line, there's no reason for the Bruins to not up the sack numbers.

If the UCLA defense cannot do it against this O-Line, the unit could be in trouble moving forward.

What They're Saying

Eric Gay/Associated Press

Texas head coach Charlie Strong on UCLA struggling against opponents

"Well, they may have struggled, but they ended up winning the games so they find a way to win. They go to Virginia and beat Virginia, then they come home and win against Memphis. It's probably not an indication of them, they probably just didn't play that well, so we just have to game plan on what we saw."

Texas defensive coordinator Vance Bedford on Brett Hundley 

"The quarterback reminds me a lot of Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers. Big, strong, athletic and—I must admit—one of the best arms that I have ever seen."

Texas cornerback Quandre Diggs on UCLA recent struggles

"We can't look at that. We're the University of Texas; everybody is going to come out and give us their best shot. Those guys will be ready to come out. We played them my freshman year, and we were able to beat them, so I'm sure they'll be ready to get us back. It's going to be fun, and we've just got to be able to go out and compete and play all four quarters."

UCLA head coach Jim Mora Jr. on team preparation for Saturday's game, via UCLABruins.com

"

I feel a focus like I haven't felt this football season. This is a very focused football team, so I think that's a good sign. We realize it will probably take an extra special effort going down to Texas and getting a win, and I think our guys are willing to do that.

"

Prediction

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Texas simply has too many areas of concern to be a favorite to beat a No. 12 ranked opponent.

The Bruins have not played a complete game, but the performance the Longhorns' offense showed against BYU proves there are significant issues on the roster.

And the defense cannot do it all for the Longhorns.

The Texas offense was 3-of-15 on third down conversions. There's an obvious issue of the offense's ability—or lack of ability—to move the chains, and that will plague the Longhorns against the Bruins.

Texas may be able to keep it a close game if UCLA struggles on either side of the ball. But it's not likely the Longhorns will pull an upset in Arlington.

Prediction: UCLA 28, Texas 14

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained firsthand.

Taylor Gaspar is Bleacher Report's featured columnist covering the Texas Longhorns. Follow Taylor on Twitter: @Taylor_Gaspar.