The going is about to get tough for the UCLA Bruins. After a comparatively easy Big Ten Conference schedule to begin the season, UCLA will be tested down the stretch of the regular season.
That begins on Saturday in Minnesota, when the Bruins head east to play the 5-3 Golden Gophers at 9:00.m. Pacific Time. It’ll be a challenge for a Bruin team who aced their first East Coast test of the season, when UCLA pummeled Maryland 54-3 on the road.
UCLA still heads into the Week 10 matchup as road favorites, but with games against Illinois, Michigan and USC waiting for the Bruins, we should be seeing some more competitive football games down the stretch.
Bob Chesney knows that too. Chesney spoke about Minnesota during his media availability on Tuesday,
including senior linebacker Maverick Baranowski.
“Phenomenal football player. He really is. He just plays so downhill, he understands the defense, he flows. He first of all, understands the leverage of the play that he’s about to see. Their pre-snap thought process is phenomenal,” Chesney said. “His post-snap reaction is one of the best. He is as physical as can be. He tackles everybody he sees, he can cover and he’s just a warrior.”
Baranowski is the leader for the Minnesota defense that currently ranks No. 9 in the Big Ten Conference since the start of conference play. Baranowski has recorded 60 tackles, one sack with an interception and two forced fumbles so far this season.
“This is as tough a team as we’ve faced, and probably will face, playing at their place, early start, all the things that come with it,” Chesney said. “There’s going to be uncomfortable moments that occur throughout the course of this game.”
We’ll Saturday if Chesney and the Bruins can keep their unbeaten record intact.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Bob Chesney speaks on Minnesota's Maverick Baranowski ahead of Week 10
