Washington is going on the road for the first time not only this season, but also under Kalen DeBoer. Realdawg’s Kaila Olin gives her three keys to how the Huskies can get a big win against an underrated UCLA Bruins team.

Receivers Need to Win the Night

This UCLA team is performing great on defense so far this season. The Bruins’ defense is 18^th in the FBS in rushing yards allowed per game with an average of 84.3 yards, but a staggering 59^th on passing defense with 210.8 yards averaged allowed. Washington has been less effective running the ball than passing in the first four games. The Huskies rank 74th on offense in the FBS with 159.7 rushing yards per game while the shining stars have been Michael Penix Jr. and his receivers. They are good for an impressive second-best in the FBS with 388.7 passing yards per game. If Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan, Ja’Lynn Polk, and others can create space, make plays, and find the endzone, the Huskies will have an easier night in the Pasadena.

Defense Needs to be Efficient on 3^rd Downs

Washington’s defense ranks 94th on defense in all of FBS allowing a 41.3% third-down conversion rate. UCLA’s third-down offense has been leading the charge for the team, as it ranks 25th-best in the FBS with a 49.0% third-down conversion percentage. With the UW holding Stanford to 41.7% and 43.7% to Michigan State, both the Cardinal and the Spartans were able to hang around in the game and make the score closer than it needed to be due to such percentages. Washington would get a sack or force Stanford into third down situations but would allow them to pick up the first on gains of 22, 15, and six yards. The UW defense needs to do better on third downs because UCLA’s offense is efficient enough in third down situations to get down the field and score.

Defensive Secondary Needs to Have Their Best Game

For the first time in recent years, Washington’s secondary gave up a pass of more than 75 yards in their win over Stanford. While the big play and score came in “garbage time” against younger and more inexperienced players, the Bruin quarterback, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, has the arm talent and receiving core to make plays like that happen in any phase of the game. 10 out of the 13 players to catch passes from DTR average double-digit yards per catch this season, therefore Washington’s secondary will have a tall task while on the road for the first time all season. While the run defense has been all around great for the Huskies, it’s time the secondary matches it and takes away the passing game to secure a win.