UCLA is tough for Houston to decipher

UCLA has been a difficult opponent to get a handle on.

Houston’s football coaches have tape from their 31-13 loss to the Bruins last season, and UCLA returns many of the same players. But the changes to the Bruins’ coaching staff meant a lot of time watching tapes.

“They have a lot of the same players, but they have four new coaches — primarily two new guys on offense, including Mike Johnson, who I have a lot respect for,” Houston Coach Kevin Sumlin said. “We have watched a lot of different videos of a lot of different teams in the last month.”

There were tapes of the San Francisco 49ers, where Johnson, UCLA’s offensive coordinator, plied his trade a year ago. Nevada reels also were scoured, as Bruins run-game coordinator Jim Mastro handled the Wolfpack’s pistol offense. Then there was the double feature of defensive coordinator Joe Tresey’s time at Cincinnati and South Florida.

“We’re trying to get a feel for what they believe in,” Sumlin said. “They have us practicing a lot of different things. Two new coordinators, two quarterbacks, it has kept us guessing.”

Sumlin is certain of one thing: the Bruins will try to run the ball. “They ran it right down our throats last year,” he said.

UCLA gained 266 yards rushing against the Cougars.

Player shuffling

Tresey has reduced the Bruins’ depth chart to a useless piece of paper, at least on his side of the ball.

“When you’re playing a high-tempo team that’s trying to get 85 to 90 plays a game, you’re going to have to roll people; you don’t have a choice,” Tresey said.

UCLA appears to have the depth in its front seven to do just that, providing Tresey with fresh legs for his blitz packages. The game at Houston will be the trial run.

“I’m hoping we can build enough depth off this game,” Tresey said. “Some kids will be better at things than others. Hopefully, as you go through the season, you will be able plug in the right kid at the right time.”

Leg up

Kip Smith will handle UCLA’s field goals and extra points. Jeff Locke will punt and kick off.

“With Jeff we have a great punter and kickoff guy, and I didn’t want to derail that by adding another layer,” Coach Rick Neuheisel said. “Kip will respond and do what he was born to do, which is knock it through the pipes.”

Quick hits

Safety Tony Dye, linebacker Patrick Larimore and running back Johnathan Franklin were voted captains by their teammates. …. Tight end Raymond Nelson sat out practice after hurting his back Thursday. He will still make the trip. … UCLA will take 72 players to Houston. … The Cougars will be without linebacker Efrem Oliphant (knee). Defensive end Zeke Riser (knee) is listed as probable.

chris.foster@latimes.com

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