Scouting Report

UCLA (5-3, 2-2) at

WASHINGTON (4-4, 1-3)

Today, 4 p.m.,

Husky Stadium, Seattle

TV -- TBS. Radio -- KXTA (1150).

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WHEN UCLA HAS THE BALL

Regardless of whether Matt Moore or Drew Olson is at quarterback, the offense will be remedial. Washington gives up only 79.2 yards a game on the ground, but UCLA will make a strong attempt to establish the run. And the Bruins will continue to run in the second half, when tailback Tyler Ebell has had his greatest success. Moore or Olson will take their shots judiciously, but they will take shots. Wide receivers Craig Bragg and Tab Perry and tight end Mike Seidman have made too many big plays to be abandoned now. Versatile freshman back Jason Harrison could be poised for a breakout game.

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WHEN WASHINGTON HAS THE BALL

Look to the air. Quarterback Cody Pickett, who sat out last year’s game against UCLA because of injury, averages 45 passes a game and completes 63.2% of them. Reggie Williams, with 48 catches for 857 yards and six touchdowns, is the most dangerous receiver, but Pickett has spread his 17 touchdown passes among six receivers. The nearly nonexistent Husky running game doesn’t figure to improve because leading rusher Rich Alexis probably won’t play because of a rib injury. Besides Alexis, who has 449 yards, the Huskies have rushed for 187 yards in 150 carries.

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KEYS TO UCLA VICTORY

1. Ebell must toil: Bruin quarterbacks Moore and Olson are inexperienced, so prolific redshirt freshman tailback Ebell must run well against a Husky defense that is porous against the pass and stingy against the run.

2. Pick it from Pickett: The Bruin secondary has played extremely well but has not had many interceptions. Picking off a few of the 50 or so passes thrown by Pickett will ease the burden on the Bruin offense.

3. The Fikse is in: Nate Fikse had five field goals last week in his audition as Bruin kicker. He must continue that success without becoming distracted from his punting duties.

HOW THEY COMPARE

*--* UCLA Wash 30.1 Scoring 29.8 22.8 Points Allowed 25.6 249.6 Passing Offense 356.8 140.4 Rushing Offense 79.5 390.0 Total Offense 436.2 184.0 Passing Defense 277.9 142.6 Rushing Defense 79.2 326.6 Total Defense 357.1

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