PLAYERS TO WATCH
–WR Theo Howard has established himself as the primary target for freshman QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, culminating in a four-catch, 80-yard performance with his first touchdown of the season Sept. 15 vs. Fresno State.
While Wilton Speight’s return to practice might beget a quarterback change, look for Howard to continue to serve as UCLA’s first option in the passing game.
–RB Martell Irby does not have a 74-yard touchdown run on his resume yet, like fellow freshman Kazmeir Allen accomplished in Week 1. But as Chip Kelly has sought consistency in the run game, and with Allen’s production sputtering, Irby earned 19 combined carries against Oklahoma and Fresno State.
In the continued search for production on the ground, expect Irby to continue to get looks, even with veteran Soso Jamabo returning to the lineup.
–DE/LB Jaelan Phillips, a talented pass rusher plagued by injury through his first two seasons at UCLA, returned to practice after missing Weeks 2 and 3. Colorado’s offense faced its most resistance during the non-conference schedule in Week 2 at Nebraska, when the Cornhuskers generated consisted pressure on QB Steven Montez. Phillips’ return gives UCLA its best chance of applying similar pressure in the backfield.
–LB Krys Barnes is UCLA’s No. 2 tackler through three weeks, proving his acumen in run-stopping efforts. But in an all-hands-on-deck matchup like Friday’s against the Colorado passing attack, Barnes will also be vital patrolling in coverage to eliminate intermediate routes — routes Colorado has proven adept at turning into long gains.
SERIES HISTORY: UCLA improved to 10-3 all-time against Colorado with last season’s 27-23 win at the Rose Bowl. The Buffs won a sloppy 20-10 game in 2016, the last matchup at Folsom Field and Colorado’s first victory in the series since joining the Pac-12 Conference in 2011.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “It’s a brand-new offense. We’re still working on jelling and getting together. We have new faces on the line. We have true freshmen who are playing at receiver and at the running back spot. So, everybody is just getting used to each other and just trying to play. It’s a process but we will get there we just have to keep faith.” — UCLA wide receiver Theo Howard.