Weekly Q&A — 10/14/14 Answers

Q: Who is going to play left tackle this week?

A: Probably both Malcolm Bunche and Conor McDermott. The latter seems like UCLA’s best option for shaking up its offensive line, but Jim Mora said on Tuesday that it still may be difficult for McDermott to play a whole game. The staff has been working the 6-foot-9 redshirt sophomore back gradually following his shoulder surgery last November — not his first operation — and used him through the first half of the season mostly in jumbo packages. But the fact that he subbed in for Bunche in the fourth quarter against Oregon seems like a sign that a change is coming sooner or later.

Q: Why has UCLA struggled at making in game adjustments this year? In my opinion that was one of the strengths of our coaching staff in previous years (e.g. Nebraska and ASU last year). Also, why do you think defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich continues to refuse to dial up blitzes? While the loses of Anthony Barr, Cassius Marsh, and Keenan Graham hurt us, there’s no way that we don’t have enough talent to manufacture more sacks than we have this year.

A: There’s no question that Ulbrich has been outcoached for the last few games. He even sort of admitted that after UCLA’s closer-than-expected win over Memphis, saying afterward that he made the scheme too simple. But despite him arguing that the sacks would tick up soon, nothing has really changed. I think part of that might be Ulbrich being a bit stubborn about a scheme/strategy he believes in.

UCLA should have more than seven sacks, even without Barr/Marsh/Graham. But that trio’s absence shouldn’t be understated either. While the defense would probably look better with former defensive coordinator Lou Spanos in charge right now, I also wonder just how much better it would be if Spanos no longer has those players at his disposal.

Q: Is Ulbrich out after this year?

A: Too early to say. I think he stays unless UCLA really tanks down the stretch here. Both he and offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone got lucrative two-year contract extensions heading into this season.

Q: Who coaches the OL and why hasn’t the offensive line been able to protect Hundley better? You look at Peyton Manning, who is generally not that mobile and he has all day to throw. Save for the ASU game, Hundley looks like a deer in the headlights clutching the ball getting sacked when he isn’t running for his life?

A: The offensive line is coached by … offensive line coach Adrian Klemm? I can’t tell if that’s a dig at Klemm or not. Anyway, the line doesn’t really have enough true offensive tackles, with both Malcolm Bunche and Caleb Benenoch initially arriving at UCLA as guards. McDermott, as stated above, could help more this season. Look for redshirt freshman Poasi Moala as a strong prospect there too in coming years.

Q: What effect, if any, has UCLA’s struggles had on prospective recruits?

A: It landed a promising linebacker in Cassius Peat right after the 42-30 loss to Oregon, so the effect doesn’t seem significant so far. The staff has proven it can recruit since it first arrived, and more factors into that besides the most recent two game results.

Q: Does Myles Jack stand out as a pass rusher in practices? Some folks here are wondering if he might not be deployed as an occasional pass rusher. His greatest assets seem to be sideline-to-sideline speed, pass coverage, and ball-hawking. Pass rushing seems to be a bit of an unknown.

A: I think he would be effective as a pass rusher and should be used in a blitz here and there, but he’s much better playing behind the ball. I asked him about whether or not he feels like he should be used to create pressure more often, especially given that he spent his offseason working on his pass rush, but he was careful just to give credit to his teammates being better than him in that area.

Q: Will UCLA even be bowl eligible this season?

A: Yes. C’mon, now — there are six games left!