Breaking Down Pac 12 Title Game Match-Ups: Defense

In the second part of our look at the Oregon-UCLA match-ups, today Duck Sports Authority brings you the defensive side of the ball.

DEFENSIVE ENDS

UCLA: The Bruins defense is more flexible in how they line up depending on the opponent. When the Bruins have faced pass heavy teams, they have used a 4-2-5 alignment as their base in order to have the extra defensive back on the field. Against more traditional offenses, the Bruins use a 4-3 base defense. As the Ducks are neither traditional nor a pass happy offense, it is difficult to predict how the Bruins will line up. They are a little short at linebacker and will feel a pressing need to contain the Ducks speed, so expect a variation of the 4-2-5 on Friday night.

The Bruins start Datone Jones (6-5, 275) and Damien Holmes (6-3, 270) at the defensive end positions. Both of their starters have similar statistical profiles with Jones recording 33 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and 3 sacks. From the other side Holmes has 28 tackles with 5 tackles for loss and 1 sack. The primary reserves for the Bruins, Owamagbe Odighizuwa (6-4, 266) and Keenan Graham (6-3, 255) have seen action in all 12 games this season. Odighizuwa, the Portland native who chose UCLA over Oregon, has 16 tackles and 1 tackle for loss while Graham has 13 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and 1 sack.

Oregon: Oregon had seen a very steady group this season with Dion Jordan making a huge defensive impact all year; until being injured against USC and missing most of the game. For the season Jordan has 39 tackles with 12 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. Starting on the opposite side is another senior, Terrell Turner. Turner has provided veteran leadership and stability. In fact, Turner leads the group with...

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