UCLA has had a very odd but productive offseason, with Jim Mora, Josh Rosen, and others leaving the team, while new faces such as Chip Kelly, Wilton Speight, and others have joined the team. The team who resides at the Rose Bowl is hoping that this season will help put them over the rival team across town who plays at the Colosseum. A new coach, new offense, and whole new staff… Is this the season that the Bruins will excel to the top of the PAC-12 and bring back the legendary status?
Short Answer: No.
Prestige Rank (If NCAA ’19 Existed): 4 Star
UCLA is one of the more successful college football teams in the past few years/decades. But ever since around 2012-13, they have been dropping off more and more due to other teams in the PAC-12 (USC, Oregon, Stanford) taking over. They have produced a handful of NFL prospects and even have coaches in the big leagues. If the Bruins could get back to the late 80’s style they had with some 10+ win seasons, they would be considered a higher ranking.
Last Seasons Record: 6-7 (4-5 in Conference Play)
After an electric game against Texas A&M (This game was a tough one to watch because I have connections to both UCLA and TAMU), their season was not great at all. Rosen sat out most of the season after injuries, Jim Mora was given the boot towards the tail end of the season, and UCLA was hanging on by a thread. To end the season, Kansas State beat the Bruins in the Cactus Bowl and Grandpappy Snyder left the Bruins in shambles
Projected Returning Starters:
Offense: 4
OG Andre James, TE Caleb Wilson, QB Devin Modster, RB Bolu Olorunfunmi,
Most returners from last season had solid playing time, with the exception of Modster. I am putting him on this list because he had played solid time within the past two years due to Rosen being injured and he took over after Rosen sat out most of last season. Experience isn’t going to matter due to Chip Kelly and his unique offense.
Defense: 1
LB Josh Woods
Yup, Good thing Chip Kelly is the Offensive guy because this defense will be hurtin’ this season.
Special Teams: 2
K J.J Molson, LS Johnny Den Bleyker
J.J was an average kicker last season and the upside down QB was nothing special.
Key Losses: Josh Rosen, Jim Mora?
Out of all the players lost, the one that will hurt the most is the bonified gunslinger Rosen. He led this team for the past three seasons and was the stand-out player who week-in and out would show out his skills, and with Chip Kelly at the helm now, it would have been a wet dream to see him play another season. With Jim Mora, most players loved him as a coach and were all against him being let go during the season. The majority of players either left or transfered, so Kelly will have some work to do to get the players to like him.
5 Year Recruiting Rank (Bill Conley): 15
UCLA has all the tools to recruit: Beautiful LA, miles away from the beach, The Rose Bowl, and now Chip Kelly. The Bruins don’t struggle to recruit in state at all, usually pulling in 3-4 5-star recruits, but out of state is more of a struggle. If they can get a few wins behind their name and even a Pac 12 Championship win in the future, the out of state recruiting will bump them up.
Tyroil Smoochie-Wallace All Name Team Member: Bolu Olorunfunmi
By the time you can even pronounce his name, he has already gotten past the secondary on his way for a TD.
Alcohol Prediction for the Season: The Most Hipster Cocktail
One part cage-free shitty vodka, one part Gluten-Free Beer, and one part Non-Cranberry Cranberry Juice. Mix it all together and drink it out of your paper straw (No Mas Plastic Straws) and you have the perfect LA Drink. It’s not gonna be smooth at all and you will be regretting it for months.
Outlook:
UCLA is going to hit some growing pains with this upcoming season. The PAC-12 was terrible last season, but with some new up-and-coming teams and players, UCLA will struggle to hit the top of the conference. Chip Kelly will reignite the offense, but the defense will need all the help they can get. So, when you see the Bruins and Trojans square off, don’t act surprised if it is a blowout.