Win One For the Walker....or at Least TRY

2007 Las Vegas Bowl ($1 million payout)

UCLA, 6-6 vs. BYU, 10-2


UCLA is the worst team to make a bowl game in 2007.

Memphis with Martin Hankins on the field against Florida Atlantic seriously looked better than UCLA the last two months of the season. But will the firing of Karl Dorrell have the reverse effect on the Bruins? Will DeWayne Walker's burning desire to win inspire this group of mostly senior underachievers enough to go out and beat a team they already beat earlier in the season?

That sounds like a ridiculous question, but the answer is surprisingly no. These two teams have gone in completely different directions since that meeting. UCLA promptly got blown 3-44 the next week by an unranked Utah squad after being ranked 12th in the country. BYU suddenly discovered that Harvey Unga is one of the top runners in the country as their 3-4 defense discovered its groove. UCLA is currently 6 point dogs and the moneyline sits at -250 for BYU and +210 for UCLA.

Save your money for the post x-mas sales if your thinking about wagering on the Bruins. They should be pumped up, because Walker has a great reputation with his teammates, and alot of them want to see him named the next head coach. Problem is, aside form sophomore cornerback Alterraun Verner no impact players in this game will be wearing the sky blue and gold next year. UCLA has no passing game to begin with, and the two QBs they've been shuffling (Ben Olson and Pat Cowan) are BOTH listed as doubtful coming into the game. (By the way Ben Olson was the best recruit in the nation about 5 years ago, a sure thing can't miss. Signed with BYU, went on a Mormon mission, came back, transferred to UCLA and now has a completion percentage barley over 50% and only a handful of career victories. Ben Leard anyone?)

The Cougars are loaded on both sides of the ball, and will expose UCLA's injuries in the front seven (especially stout DT Kevin Brown) with the great Harvey Unga. He comes in a close second on my list of frosh man-crushes to Colin Kaepernick. He's got the total package and should showcase this against the Bruins D. BYU's passing game will set up the run, not vise-versa. Max Hall will be looking for deep crossing routes and posts to WR Austin Collie and TE Dennis Pitta. Should work, UCLA is ranked 70th against the pass, they get a solid rush with Bruce Davis, but their DBs look for the homerun (pick 6) too often and give up too many long pass plays in doing so.

UCLA's motivation to win for DeWayne Walker should be outmatched by BYU's sizeable chip on their shoulders to avenge for their loss against the Bruins in week 2. The only hope UCLA has is the same as any when a team is facing a high powered offense it can't run with: Ball Control. Control the clock, control the scoreboard. Keep your defense fresh and hope that the young BYU team (alot of sophomores and freshman at key positions) make mistakes. But the odds and ever mounting injuries are against them.

UNDER THE RADAR:

UCLA WR Dominque Johnson could give the Cougars secondary some headaches. Brandon Brazelle will command attention and Joe Cowan isn't Brian Poli-Dixon enough to make big plays. Johnson is 6-3, 209 and has great hands, speed and runs solid routes. Pencil him in for 6 grabs, 110 yards and MAYBE, a score.

BYU FB Manase Tonga is a beast around the goal line, he's only got 85 carries on the season and 8 have gone for scores. Add another 27 grabs for 248 on the season and Tonga seem set up have that classic under the radar game for a hard working versatile FB on a high powered offense. Pencil him in for maybe 9car 50 yards (1 big run down the goal line) and a with another 4 grabs for 35 yards and a score either way.

PREDICTION:

UCLA, 16 BYU, 33

MVP:

Gotta go with my man Unga. Look for him to get physical around the 4th quarter and ice this Las Vegas bowl. Oh yeah did I mention he doesn't fumble either. Pencil him in for 28 carries 140 yards and 2 scores. Oh yeah he can catch too, another 4 grabs for 40 yards. Don't be surprised if Unga goes over the 200 mark for total yardage in this one.