Texas Longhorns Football: 10 Things You Need to Know About UCLA

Texas rode its superior talent and better scheme to a season opening win over Rice.

The Longhorns scrapped by a very good BYU team with coaching adjustments and defensive posturing. In eight quarters so far this season, the Horns' defense has given up just one touchdown, a necessary accomplishment while the offense continues to find its playmakers.

For Texas' third game of 2011, the Longhorns will leave the relative comfort of Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium and travel westward to Los Angeles and the Rose Bowl, where they will complete their home and home series with the Bruins.

Here are 10 things you need to know about UCLA.

They Are Not to Be Underestimated

Forget what recent history has demonstrated; these Bruins are not to be underestimated, undervalued or any sort of brush-them-aside mentality. Any Texas fan is cognizant of the embarrassment that took place almost a year ago in Austin.

The Longhorns were a smug 3-0, fresh off a retrospectively meaningless win over Texas Tech in Lubbock. With Oklahoma on the doorstep of Texas' schedule, the Bruins came to town and drummed the Horns via a 34-12 beatdown.

Despite any guided or misguided beliefs about either team this season, one thing is certain: UCLA is no pushover.

The Bruins Are Talented

UCLA may not be the most well-equipped team in the Pac-12, but the Bruins certainly have some pieces to work with that can immediately change momentum.

Rick Neuheisel and his staff have put together a physical, imposing running game that ranks 16th in the FBS with 252 yards per game.

Running backs Johnathan Franklin and Derrick Coleman, along with quarterback Richard Brehaut, each have amassed at least 20 carries while average at least six yards per attempt. The Bruins will use that same brute mentality on Saturday.

For the Horns, they need to show up ready to hit or be hit.

Run to Pass

Call them the Wisconsin in the West.

With the 15th ranked rushing offense in the FBS, the Bruins look to their ground game for production. Between their top running backs in Franklin and Coleman, the two have combined for 361 yards and four touchdowns, which can open things up in the passing game.

The Bruins rank 24th in average yards per pass attempt with an even 9.0. While their forte may not be slinging the rock, they are efficient when Brehaut drops back in the pocket.

Weak Non-Conference Schedule

Although the debate is still out on whether or not Texas is a worthy non-conference opponent to put on a platform, the Bruins have had shaky results against Houston and San Jose State.

UCLA lost its season opener to the pass-happy Cougas 38-34, but bounced back late against Spartans to grab a 27-17 victory.

Given the the recent body of work from the Bruins' non-conference opponents, impressed is hardly the word used to describe them.

Defense Is Average

There is little that jumps out about the Bruins' defensive presence, as they rank 78th in the FBS giving up 393 yards per game, hardly a statistic worth celebrating.

UCLA's scoring defense is equally mediocre, allowing 27.5 points a game, good for 73rd in the country.

The Bruins lost two critical pieces, linebacker Akeem Ayers and safety Rahim Moore, from their 2010 defense that ranked 94th, and replacing those two anchors has not been easy.

Make no mistake. Teams will score on Joe Tresey's defense.

They Can Play from Behind

In both of UCLA's games so far, the Bruins have struggled early, leading to late-game deficits or deadlocks, much like the Longhorns.

However, they have shown the ability to press late and make strong comebacks. The Bruins trailed by 17 going into the half against Houston, but came up short in the end. Against San Jose State, the game was even at 17 going into the fourth quarter, and behind strong defense and steady resolve on offense, UCLA put up 10 unanswered points to ice the game 27-17.

Don't be surprised to see yet another dog fight this weekend.

Quarterback Takes Care of the Ball

The sample size may be small, but it's a sample nonetheless.

Through two games, quarterback Richard Brehaut has thrown no interceptions to his three touchdown passes. Take it for what it's worth, but having a signal caller who can manage the game, lean on his running game and take care of the ball is a recipe for some success.

Not much can be said for Texas' former starting quarterback. The Horns will have to dial up much more pressure on passing downs and force Brehaut into some discomfort.

Balance

The Bruins might have a run-first offense, but they have proven to be balanced when it matters.

Averaging 233.5 yards through the air and 252 yards on the ground, the Horns will have to force UCLA's hand and force the Bruins to win one-dimensionally.

Texas has shown flashes of both solid pass defense and rush defense, but the Longhorns will need a concerted effort in both phases through four quarters to derail a potent Bruins' offense.

First-Year Offensive Coordinator Mike Johnson

The Bruins' offensive coordinator, Mike Johnson, comes from a deep background of NFL coaching experience.

After initially debuting in the league with the San Diego Chargers in 2000, the former Akron quarterback has held a position as quarterbacks or wide receivers coach with the Chargers, the Atlanta Falcons, the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers.

Johnson was promoted to the 49ers offensive coordinator last season, but after just one year, he made the jump back to college football and joined Rick Neuheisel's staff.

He's been out of the college game for 11 years, but his experience runs deep.

Turnover Margin: 0

The season is young, but a defense will show its hand in the turnover game early if it is to be so.

UCLA's turnover margin is zero. The offense has put the ball on the ground three times, which likely will have Manny Diaz's defense hawking for strips and recoveries. The Bruins' defense, however, has picked up a couple of interceptions and a fumble recovery of their own.

Again, it is early in the year, but UCLA has shown a tendency to put the ball on the turf with its physical running game, a liability on which the Horns must capitalize.