UCLA D on notice

Apparently 6th Street and 6th Avenue are completely different. The stadium is on 6th Street, right by campus, while the exit to 6th Avenue off Interstate 10 put me in South Tucson which was, for lack of a better word, interesting to say the least.

Also "interesting" is how the UCLA defense will deal with the Arizona offense, specifically sophomore quarterback Nick Foles. Foles, a Michigan State transfer that took over for Corona Centennial graduate Matt Scott as the starting quarterback in Arizona's fourth game and has been slicing up defenses since, throwing for 1,053 yards and seven touchdowns the past three games. He spreads the ball around well, as four Wildcats (Juron Criner, David Roberts, Terrell Turner and David Douglas) have 23 or more receptions.

Lost in the Foles hoopla is Arizona's running game, which is capable of big plays with junior tailback Nic Grigsby. Grigsby had 325 yards in the first two games, but a shoulder injury has held him to 184 yards since. However, Grigsby busted out for a 57-yard, game-winning touchdown against Stanford last week, which is not good for a UCLA run defense that's been gashed during the Pac-10 season.

So what can UCLA do to slow down the Wildcats? Consistent corner play would be one, as Alterraun Verner needs to play more like the All-American he's capable of being while Sheldon Price need to provides some form of stability on the other side with Aaron Hester likely out again this week. The safeties have to perform the basic tenets of their job and flush last week, when they allowed Cal four touchdowns of 42 yards or more, out of their system.

Taking away any semblance of an Arizona running game would help a ton as well, as that would allow Brian Price and the front four to create pressure and perhaps force Foles into a turnover or two. Foles has been proficient, but he is young and can be forced into mistakes, as Washington proved two weeks ago by forcing two interceptions.