This post was last updated Nov. 15 at 1:01 a.m.

UCLA football (4-5, 3-4 Big Ten) will travel to the Pacific Northwest to face Washington (5-5, 3-4) on Friday. With the latter coming off a trouncing in Happy Valley against then-No. 6 Penn State and the former capable of expanding its three-game win streak, both teams are on the brink of bowl eligibility. Here is this week’s scouting report from assistant Sports editor Connor Dullinger – who will be watching the Bruins pounce on their fourth-straight Big Ten victory.

Washington’s Offense:
Offensive scheme: Spread offense
Run-pass percentage: 48.8% Run, 51.2% Throw
Strength: Finding deep threats
Weakness: Scoring touchdowns
X-factors: WR Denzel Boston

Former Washington and current Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. led the nation in passing yards less than a year ago.

The Indiana transfer finished the year second in Heisman voting – the highest of any Husky in history.

Penix Jr., former Husky wide receivers Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan and Ja’Lynn Polk dominated the Pac-12 – and the rest of the country – with their high-flying, explosive attack through the air.

And while their team was just 10 points removed from a national championship in 2023, the Washington team of 2024 possesses just glimpses of their previous glory.

Quarterback Will Rogers has replaced Penix Jr. while last season’s wide receiver triumvirate has been filled in by wide receiver duo Giles Jackson and Denzel Boston. Rogers is top five in the Big Ten in pass attempts, completion percentage and passing yards with 290, 71.4% and 2,343, respectively.

Even with his prowess under center, Rogers still ranks eighth in passing touchdowns with 13, despite playing all 10 of Washington’s games this season. Rogers’ lack of production is evident, as the Huskies have logged fewer than 20 points in half of their games this season, including a six-point performance against Penn State on Saturday.

While Rogers has struggled to replicate the scoring Penix Jr. produced just a year ago, Jackson and Boston have stepped in to compensate.

Both receivers rank inside the top eight in receptions and receiving yards in the nation, while Boston co-leads the Big Ten with nine receiving touchdowns.

Despite all of this offensive production through the air, running back Jonah Coleman’s 913 rushing yards ranks fourth in the Big Ten – with seven rushing touchdowns to show.

For a UCLA defense that has ceded at least 100 rushing yards in five of its nine contests this season, Coleman may be the winning edge Washington needs to break UCLA’s three-game winning streak.

Washington’s Defense:
Defensive scheme: 4-2-5
Strength: Pass Coverage
Weakness: Rush Defense
X-factor: LB Carson Bruener

The Husky defense picked the wrong time to face the Bruin offense.

After seven consecutive weeks without a 100-yard rushing game, UCLA broke through against Nebraska on Nov. 2.

The Bruins put up 139 rushing yards on 30 attempts against the Cornhuskers two weeks ago, and just last week, notched its best ground attack of the season with 211 rushing yards on 39 attempts, including a 125-yard performance from junior running back T.J. Harden.

Washington will enter Friday’s matchup having relinquished more than 100 rushing yards in eight of its 10 games this season. More recently, the Huskies have allowed over 150 ground yards in each of their last six affairs, including 266 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns against the Nittany Lions.

The wild card on this Husky squad lies with linebacker Carson Bruener. The Woodinville, Washington, local not only ranks fifth in the Big Ten in tackles – but has also logged two tackles for loss, three interceptions and one forced fumble.

While the Bruins will likely dominate the Huskies on the ground, they may struggle to perform through the air.

The Huskies’ pass defense has not allowed a single quarterback to throw for more than 300 passing yards, and has limited opposing signal-callers to fewer than 200 passing yards on seven occasions this season.

Last week, Washington forced Indiana to its worst passing performance of this season – just 124 passing yards with two interceptions.

Despite a profound impact on the opposing team’s air attack, the Huskies still lack the ability to pressure the quarterback. Washington ranks 15th in the Big Ten in sacks and dead last in tackles for loss. Coach Jedd Fisch’s defense has just one player with at least three sacks and only three with more than two.

With a revamped offensive line and improved play under center, UCLA may be able to feast on Washington’s lack of pressure. However, the Huskies’ impact on the Bruins’ air attack could be consequential.