TrojanSports - Perspective from the other side: Tracy McDannald shares insight on Bruins
Bruin Blitz beat writer Tracy McDannald shares perspective on UCLA and his prediction for the game Saturday.
USC.rivals.com
Our TrojanSports.com staff has dispensed of all its thoughts on this USC-UCLA matchup, including our predictions, but for another perspective on the rivalry showdown we asked Bruin Blitz beat writer Tracy McDannald for his insight with five questions on the Bruins.
1. Michigan's Blake Corum is getting Heisman buzz, and it feels like Zach Charbonnet is getting minimal if any national attention, yet he averages more rushing yards per game. What's made him so elite this year and what is your pulse on whether he's full strength entering this game?
McDannald: "Part of that lack of attention, aside from playing on the West Coast with the late kickoffs, is Charbonnet has missed two games so when the totals get flashed on the screen they maybe don’t look as impressive.
"What’s made Charbonnet so tough is his blend of power and finesse. He can just as easily truck two or three defenders on one run and sidestep another with his quick-cutting stutter step on the same play. Just look at what he did to Colorado and Stanford. As for his health, he and UCLA head coach Chip Kelly have been very stealth about his status since the time he surprisingly missed the second game of the season. He’s practiced like usual all week, but that hasn’t always meant he’s 100 percent, even during weeks he’s been made available to speak.
"He is still sporting a gash on his left arm that was visible when he spoke to us Wednesday without the bandage he’s had over it in games this season. Even in the games he’s missed, Charbonnet has been dressed and appeared loose on the sideline so it could be a matter of load management and taking into account the opponent. So, I can’t envision missing a game against the crosstown rival."
2. What did the loss to Arizona reveal about this UCLA team?
McDannald: "The loss to Arizona only put the defensive issues under more of a microscope. It still has issues on second- and third-and-long situations, and even fourth-and-short. The loss to Oregon was a blueprint in daring the Bruins’ defense to make a stop. The difference in the Arizona game is the offense didn’t provide a cushion that has helped mask the troubles in previous games. UCLA was down 14-0 after one quarter and had just a brief lead early in the fourth quarter. Arizona did a good job creating consistent pressure to hurry some of Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s throws. UCLA’s offense cannot afford a slow start against USC."
3. How has fan opinion shifted on Chip Kelly after this kind of a season?
McDannald: 'Fan opinion seems to have calmed on Chip Kelly and winning will do that. The Bruins have already tied last year’s eight wins, the most in Kelly’s first four seasons, and should top that eventually in this fifth season.
"But there’s also a section of the fanbase that sees a defense that hasn’t improved since his hire, aside from bringing in impact transfers who have stepped into starting roles, and a recruiting philosophy that doesn’t really blow anyone away. So, while it has improved, that can quickly sour again if this season ends with a struggle."
4. What is the best path to UCLA pulling off the win, and vice versa?
McDannald: "The teams look so similar at quick glance that it looks like a matter of whichever offense has the ball last with sufficient time remaining will prevail.
"Until one of the defenses proves it can get consistent stops, it has the makings of a game that will be all about the stars like Charbonnet, Thompson-Robinson, Caleb Williams and Jordan Addison.
"Where USC’s path to victory may be a bit different is with a defense that has at least shown it can create turnovers. UCLA has mostly been pretty good about its ball security this season. So it could be a matter of which defense produces one of those momentum-turning turnovers."
5. What's your prediction for Saturday?
McDannald: "Before the season I had this down as a UCLA victory, in part because it’s Lincoln Riley’s first season coaching USC and sometimes there can be a bit of an adjustment. Plus, the Bruins returned enough key pieces from last season’s 62-33 win at the Coliseum. It will be a bit of a shock if this year’s game isn’t a one-possession margin. There clearly hasn’t been too much of an adjustment period for Riley and USC. And, again, the teams’ strengths and weaknesses look too similar to come away thinking one has a clear-cut advantage over the other. No result aside from a one-sided affair with one offense struggling mightily would be a surprise.
"Ultimately, playing at home, with UCLA knowing it can keep its Pac-12 title hopes alive against its big rival while also keeping USC from clinching a spot in the championship game, makes for a more focused Bruins team looking to put last week behind them.
"UCLA 52, USC 49."
