5 keys to UCLA remaining undefeated: Groundhog Day needed against Badgers

Like so many pregame speeches that appear on social media after a big victory, UCLA coach Bob Chesney’s “Burn the f—ing boats!” moment in an Autzen Stadium tunnel was a masterclass in motivation.While it also makes one wonder how much footage remains on the cutting-room floor after losses, the Bruins haven’t been confronted with that issue.They’re 5-0.Amid the best start by a new coach in school history, Chesney must now guide his 12th-ranked team into unfamiliar waters as it fully commences the Ty Dieffenbach era.After helping UCLA hold off Oregon in relieft last weekend – eliminating the need to get back into those boats – Dieffenbach is expected to make his first start Saturday afternoon against Wisconsin (4-1) at the Rose Bowl.With Nico Iamaleava expected to miss the rest of the season with a knee injury, this is Dieffenbach’s team now unless the Bruins turn to Madden Iamaleava.Dieffenbach will face a Badgers defense that gives up only 152.6 yards per game, ranking No.

9 in the country.That poses a serious question on offense, but is far from the only one UCLA must answer.Here are five things to watch in a game scheduled to kick off at 4:30 p.m.

PDT on NBC:The big question facing a team turning to a backup quarterback: Do you change your identity?Run the ball more? Throw safer, shorter passes?In the case of the Bruins, the answer seems to be not necessarily.Dieffenbach showed his abiity to throw the ball on his first play last weekend when he zipped a long pass into the end zone that wide receiver Brian Rowe Jr.should have caught.

He later threw a 9-yard touchdown pass that gave UCLA the decisive points for the road win.Besides the matter of who’s playing quarterback, Chesney said his team must also consider game situations and defensive alignments.“We don’t look and say, ‘Hey, this guy’s coming in, let’s make it 70-30 [run-pass],’ Chesney said.“‘Hey, this guy is coming in.

Let’s make 60-40.’ You know, the game’s got...