November 3, 2007
Stat Of The Week: Arizona
On to this week's Stat of the Week. Let's first review last week's Stat of the Week for the Wazzu game. We said there were several factors that were key to winning the game for us, yet we also chose one factor as our Stat of the Week just to keep the theme going. For all three factors we chose however UCLA failed to make the necessary standard we set for the team to win:
- Keep Wazzu pass completion to under 60%. Wazzu completed 61% of its passes.
- Better than -2 turnover margin. We had a -2 turnover margin.
- Rushing game of better than 150 yards. We had 100 yards rushing for the game.
All three factors contributed to Wazzu's ability to control the ball and move down the field, and of course, they contributed to the final score. Wazzu rushed like the best rushing team in the country. A number of things set that up, including the poor defensive scheme and apparent lack of adjustment by our brilliant DC DeWayne Walker, but the consistent passing efficiency throughout the game kept their drives going. So, we are 8 for 8 on these key Stat of the Weeks. We'd also like to point out that with the insane talk of BCS championship by players and Dorrellistas after the Cal game we noted that those manic proclamations were a key indicator that we were ready for another fall against Wazzu. And fall we did.
We have already keyed on this weeks Stat of the Week during the Bruin Show broadcast on Thursday night. We think that the key to winning this game for the Bruins is exactly the same simple key we had for the Washington game: stay close up to the half. We have no idea which team will show up to play, just like after the Utah embarrassment with the Washington game. With a healthy Markey and a much healthier Cowan, according to reports, we think this team definitely has the talent to beat Arizona. But Dorrell's teams legendary inconsistency makes any analysis of this game itself almost worthless. If this team lets Arizona jump to an early lead in the first quarter or half, then they will lose what's left of their shaken confidence and lose the game. If they come out fighting and leave the half with the game close then we will probably win it. This game is about morale and confidence, and if we have it we will win it. That's it in a nutshell.



















2 Comments on Stat Of The Week: Arizona
November 4, 2007
Buycker @ 10:21 am:
This is the day of the Lord! Rejoice and be glad! The end is near!
Seriously, do we really want to win the rest of our games?
TommyBruin @ 10:34 am:
I’m hoping for blow-outs in the three remaining games. Real embarrassments. I want it obvious to even the biggest Kool-Aid drinker out there that the emperor is not wearing any clothes.