This game will be extremely telling for Northwestern.
On Saturday, the Northwestern Wildcats will welcome the 0-3 UCLA Bruins as both teams come off of bye weeks. The Bruins are one of two teams in the FBS that has already fired their coach (Virginia Tech), so there could be some new fire playing under a changed leadership.
For Northwestern, this is a must win game. Here are three keys to how the ‘Cats can get this done.
Run the ball
UCLA is giving up the fourth-most rushing yards per game in the FBS, which is also
good for first in the Big Ten. 244.0 yards allowed on the ground per game is not good. Northwestern saw success when running the ball against Oregon, even without Dashun Reeder’s 79-yard touchdown scamper (although the run blocking on that play was impeccable). Joseph Himon II and Caleb Komolafe showed some juice against the Ducks as they each ran for over 50 yards (4.9 yards-per-carry (YPC) for Himon, 3.3 YPC for Komolafe).
The ‘Cats rushed for 178 total yards against Oregon and 281 yards against Western Illinois. The Bruins have allowed over 200 rushing yards twice already this season (286 to Utah, 298 to New Mexico). Northwestern needs to get the running game going to win this game and control the time of possession. There’s no other way to put it.
Win the turnover battle
Preston Stone is one of five players in the FBS with six or more interceptions. He’s done it in only three games, compared to the others all playing four. Stone has thrown an interception on just under 7% of his passes. Simply put, Northwestern cannot afford to turn the ball over. He’s also fumbled the ball at least once in each game (only lost one, but the lost yardage is bad). The ‘Cats lost the turnover battle in their two losses, while tying it in the game they won. That game they won was the lone game Stone didn’t turn the ball over (he fumbled at one point, but recovered it).
A -6 turnover margin isn’t going to get anything done though. UCLA has turned the ball over four times this season (one fumble lost, three interceptions), and Northwestern needs to make sure it doesn’t give the ball away, halting momentum like it has been so far. Oregon scored touchdowns on the drives immediately following each of Stone’s interceptions in Week Three. A combined 67 return yards to give the Ducks that good field position was a big reason why The ‘Cats won’t need to worry about that though — if they can control time of possession and not give the ball away.
Don’t let Nico get hot
Transfer quarterback Nico Iamaleava has not been what UCLA had hoped for. With a new coach now, anything is possible. Iamaleava was alright at Tennessee, but many people spoke more highly of him than his play showed because of his potential. That potential still could and likely does exist, so Northwestern can’t be the team to allow him to show what his ceiling can be. Iamaleava is UCLA’s leading rusher with just 139 yards, while he has thrown for just 608 yards (more than Stone but still). The ‘Cats have the talent on the defensive line to disrupt the pocket and get to the quarterback, but Iamaleava likes to scramble. NU wasn’t very good at stopping Jake Retzlaff when he ran the ball for Tulane back in Week One.
The Wildcats cannot let Iamaleava break off a big run or hit a big pass play. Momentum is a dangerous thing, and right now he doesn’t have it. Northwestern can’t let him regain it.
