Randall Goforth pursues the Nebraska ball carrier, Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

As the college football season inches closer by the day, the anticipation for UCLA’s opener vs. Nevada at the Rose Bowl will continue to build.

A traditional part of that preseason excitement—at least for sports writers—is to project and predict anything and everything for the coming season. From win-loss picks to position battle previews, the wealth of potential stories is enormous this time of year. Today, we’ll dip our feet in those waters for the first time with a roster projection of the UCLA secondary.

The Bruins welcome back two safeties with significant starting experience in sophomore Randall Goforth and redshirt junior Dietrich Riley, but the CB positions will likely be manned by first-year players. In addition to a pair of talented returners ready to make an impact, UCLA will bring in four 4-star defensive backs, two of whom will play corner.

Regardless of the combination Jim Mora goes with, the secondary will be short on experience next season. The skill and athleticism should be an upgrade compared to the departed senior class, but youth can always get ugly on the football field. That’s not to say the Bruins can’t succeed with a completely green defensive backfield, but it will definitely be a critical story line to watch with this team.

Without further ado, here’s the projected starting secondary for UCLA in 2013.

Cornerback: Ishmael Adams

When Ishmael Adams signed with UCLA in 2012, he was pegged as the cornerback of the future for the Bruins. But after suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in September, Adams was forced to sit and watch a year of his college career pass by. Thankfully, he was granted a redshirt despite seeing the field before his injury, so he has four seasons of eligibility remaining.

Given the graduation of both starting CBs from 2012, the door is wide open for Adams to step up and take over. Listed at a slight 5’8″, 185 pounds on the UCLA roster, Adams doesn’t have the size expected of a true cover corner. But that didn’t stop him from wreaking havoc at Oaks Christian and in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Barring another physical setback, I would be shocked if Adams doesn’t top the depth chart for the season opener in August. This highlight reel gives a glimpse of what this kid is capable of, and the explosiveness he possesses as an athlete.

Free Safety: Randall Goforth

The only returning defensive back who started a game in 2012 is rising sophomore safety Randall Goforth, a former 3-star recruit out of Long Beach Poly. As a true freshman, Goforth became a crucial reserve for the Bruins, often bringing fresh legs to back up Andrew Abbott and Tevin McDonald. Goforth started five games last season, including the Holiday Bowl loss to Baylor after McDonald was suspended for violating team rules.

Now, following McDonald’s dismissal from the team and Abbott’s graduation, Goforth will be thrust into not only a starting spot, but also a leadership role. Some projected Goforth to make the switch to CB this season, but given the lack of experience available to choose from, he’ll likely stick with safety.

His knowledge of the play book and field time with the rest of the UCLA defense make him a viable candidate for free safety. And considering he is more adept in coverage than in run support, that seems like his destination. From center field, Goforth will have the responsibility of calling out coverage schemes, keeping his young corners locked in and providing the last line of defense for the Bruins. If he can show the kind of improvement he did in his first go-around, Goforth could become a reliable anchor point in the UCLA secondary in 2013.

Dietrich Riley, Credit: USA Today Sports Images

Strong Safety: Dietrich Riley*

You may be wondering why there’s an asterisk after Dietrich Riley‘s name, but if you think about it, the answer is pretty obvious. Riley is returning from a devastating spinal injury that occurred over 1.5 years ago, so his ability to step into a starting job is surrounded with questions. I believe that he will start against Nevada if he can stay healthy and get back to full speed on the field. But needless to say, that’s a big if.

In his first two seasons in Westwood, Riley built a reputation as a physical safety with a knack for heavy hitting. He created a few YouTube masterpieces with some bone-crushing blows, and became a fan-favorite quickly. However, after going down in October 2011, his future at UCLA was left hanging in the balance.

A successful surgery and recovery has brought Riley to the verge of a valiant return, but the hardest work is left to be done. Riley will need to get himself into game shape again, which includes delivering some pop against the run from the strong safety position. Assuming everything goes smoothly through summer camp, I fully expect Riley to get the nod when UCLA takes the field this fall. Until then though, he is stuck with an asterisk of uncertainty.

Cornerback: Priest Willis

While I expect a redshirt freshman to take the reins at one CB spot, the other will probably be filled by a true freshman like Priest Willis. Aside from late-addition Eddie Vanderdoes, Willis is the prized cow of the 2013 recruiting class. His game is projected to the cornerback position at the college level, which fits nicely with UCLA’s biggest need next season. Willis’ value as a pure athlete is enough to land him a starting role, but it’s the specifics of his skill set that have fans excited for his arrival.

Unlike Adams, Willis doesn’t have elite abilities in deep coverage, though he has flashed excellent ball skills when contesting receivers in the air. Rather, Willis brings a physical, bump-and-run brand of football to the table, something the Bruins haven’t had in years.

With Adams locking down the opposition’s No. 1 vertical threat and Willis jamming the under routes, UCLA could have a lethal pair of CBs in 2013. However, as is always the concern with inexperience, their ability to transition to the game at this level will tell the tale in the end. At this point, Willis seems a clear-cut favorite to get first look on the edge alongside Adams come camp.

Think I missed a pick? Don’t hesitate to voice your opinion in the comment section below!

Devin Lucien made some spectacular catches in his short time as a Bruin, like this catch against Nebraska, Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Let me start off by saying this—UCLA wideout Devin Lucien is an absolute stud.

Unfortunately, he broke his clavicle against the Colorado Buffaloes which ended his season early last year. But in the short time we did see him, he produced some spectacular catches (like the one pictured versus Nebraska).

When you have a guy like Lucien, who’s quick as a cat, has great bounce and stands at 6′ tall, it’s a very valuable weapon. Especially with a mastermind like Brett Hundley in control of the offense.

Lucien reminds me a lot of UCLA teammate Shaq Evans. Both Bruins have breakaway speed and great hands, which is a necessity if you’re playing WR for a standout QB like Hundley. Personally, I’m ecstatic to see a full season of Lucien and Evans because these guys are a highlight reel waiting to happen. Watching these two will be like watching Atlanta Falcons recievers Roddy White and Julio Jones, who are both vertical threats liable to explode at any minute.

For Lucien, he’ll likely be running downfield on fades or posts most of the time, though he’ll probably be targeted on slants too so he can make a play on designed dump-offs. Lucien is also a great teammate, a trait that always makes a difference on the gridiron.

The team comes first for Lucien, which means that he’ll make the extra effort to propel the Bruins to victory. Whether it’s fighting for yards after the catch or helping block downfield, you can bet Lucien will be out there trying to help the team win. It’s always nice to have that personality in your offense.

Look for Devin Lucien to be a go-to guy when UCLA needs a score. Watching Hundley throw it up top to Lucien will be a sight to see, and should be a common connection this fall. Get excited Bruin fans!

UCLA Bruins offensive lineman Torian White (77), Credit: Andrew Fielding-USA TODAY Sports

It’s about that time again when the hype of college football season manifests itself in countless publications releasing preseason rankings, All-Conference teams and All-American selections. It’s easy to get crossed by all the different picks, but there’s one man who has set the industry standard in that field—the legendary Phil Steele.

For the past 18 years, Steele has published his annual preseason magazine, which features Top 25 rankings, team previews, stat breakdowns, projected depth charts and more. When it comes to college football prognosticating, nobody is stronger than Steele. And for that reason, UCLA fans should be happy with his opinion of the 2013 Bruins.

Steele named 12 UCLA players to his preseason All-Pac-12 team, two of whom were also tabbed as All-Americans. The dozen Bruins chosen was tied for the third most in the conference, trailing only USC (16) and Stanford (14). It’s a far cry from where UCLA has been in past seasons, and is a testament to the successful recruiting and personnel development under head coach Jim Mora.

Here’s a complete list of all the Bruins included on Steele’s All-Pac-12 or All-American teams, as well as the level of distinction that each was awarded.

• LB Anthony Barr—1st Team All-American (1st Team All-Pac-12)
• OG Xavier Su’a-Filo—3rd Team All-American (1st Team All-Pac-12)
• QB Brett Hundley—2nd Team All-Pac-12
• WR Shaq Evans—2nd Team All-Pac-12
• LB Eric Kendricks—2nd Team All-Pac-12
• KR Damien Thigpen—2nd Team All-Pac-12
• PR Steven Manfro—2nd Team All-Pac-12
• DL Cassius Marsh—3rd Team All-Pac-12
• WR Devin Fuller— 4th Team All-Pac-12
• OT Torian White—4th Team All-Pac-12
• C Jake Brendel—4th Team All-Pac-12
• K Ka’imi Fairbairn—4th Team All-Pac-12

All of the expected names are on there, as Barr, Su’a-Filo and Hundley are definitely the most anticipated UCLA returners in 2013. Seeing Barr as a 1st Team All-American at linebacker is incredibly satisfying, especially since his athleticism seemed to be wasting away in the offensive backfield for his first two seasons. After leading the Bruins in sacks and forced fumbles last year, Barr looks primed for a monster senior season, which will forge his way into the NFL.

Su’a-Filo was a team captain as a sophomore, and should be the veteran anchor on the UCLA O-line again this year. The Bruins took way too many sacks in 2012, and their performance against Baylor in the Holiday Bowl was absolutely atrocious. Along with a young crew around him, Su’a-Filo will have to find a way to protect Hundley and his 2nd Team skills from the pass rush.

The inclusion of Evans and Kendricks on the conference 2nd Team beside Hundley was a nice surprise, and they’ve both set themselves up for solid campaigns this fall. As a senior, Evans will be leaned on to lead a receiving corps composed almost entirely of underclassmen. He already led the team in receiving in 2012, so expect another big year of pass-catching for the 6’1″ speedster from Inglewood.

For Kendricks, his redshirt junior season presents the last chance he’ll have to play with the UCLA defense as he knows it. At the end of the year, Barr, Marsh, Seali’i Epenesa, Owamagbe Odighizuwa, Jordan Zumwalt, Keenan Graham and Stan McKay will all graduate, leaving Kendricks to pick up the pieces. Whether or not he would return for his senior season is unknown, but you can bet his focus is on stepping up and winning now. Kendricks led the conference with 149 total tackles in 2012, 30 more than second place Jake Fischer of Arizona. The inside ‘backer from Fresno also made his mark by defending on special teams and recovering loose balls for TDs—and who could forget his 4th quarter interception of Matt Barkley in November.

I recommend watching the whole clip, but Kendricks’ pick is right at the beginning.

The last two 2nd Team choices were somewhat interesting, with Thigpen as kick returner and Manfro as punt returner. Thigpen is rehabbing from a torn ACL he suffered against ‘SC, and his timeline for recovery is uncertain. He was very impressive before the injury, but there’s no telling if he can get back to that level now. Manfro dealt with butter fingers throughout the season, and was eventually relieved of punt returning duties after too many dropped balls. However, he is sneaky elusive, so I suspect he will get another chance to showcase his skill set—if he can secure the catch.

Marsh’s placement on the 3rd Team seems borderline snubbish, as the senior defensive end has been electric at times for the Bruins. But these are only preseason picks, so he has plenty of time to move up (or down) the All-Pac-12 board. What definitely falls in the snub category is the complete absence of Zumwalt, who had 70 tackles (7 TFL, 2 sacks), two forced fumbles, one recovery and a blocked kick last season. Zumwalt was a statistical magnet, and yet he was passed up for even 4th Team consideration as a senior.

The Bruins that did make the 4th Team were all sophomores, as Fuller, White, Brendel and Fairbairn rounded out Steele’s UCLA selections. They are all deserving of praise after solid freshmen seasons, especially Fuller who began his transformation from high school quarterback into college wideout last year. Brendel has been a stud at center for the Bruins, and really softened the blow of losing Kai Maiava two years ago.

White, who is pictured above, has been shifted between tackle spots during his time in Westwood, but is expected to lock one down by the time Nevada comes to town. Fairbairn showed improvement throughout his true freshman season, and will look to expand his range and consistency in 2013. Despite his heart-wrenching miss in the Pac-12 Championship Game, Fairbairn took care of business in his fair share of pressure situations, most notably the game-winner at ASU as time expired.

If Phil Steele knows what he’s talking about—and most think he does—then it appears UCLA has the pieces necessary to compete in the top tier of the Pac-12. Whether or not that comes to fruition, especially in light of the Bruins’ harrowing schedule, depends on the performance of the key players discussed above. The UCLA defensive front could be among the best in the country, and the offense will be in good hands with Hundley at the helm. But that’s all just speculation meant to get the gears spinning for next season. Right now, UCLA looks like its packing a lot of horsepower.

Eddie Vanderdoes, Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

With the 2013 college football signing day three months in the past, today wasn’t a day that many expected the biggest UCLA recruiting news of the year. But the world of recruiting has becoming increasingly unorthodox over the last few seasons, and Jim Mora was the latest to cash in on this paradigm shift.

First reported by the Sacramento Bee, former UCLA target and eventual Notre Dame commit Eddie Vanderdoes has decided not to take his talents to South Bend. Instead, the No. 1 overall defensive tackle prospect in the country will make his way to Westwood next season. And though he’ll likely lose a year of eligibility because ND refused to release his LOI, Vanderdoes will be an instant impact player as soon as he sets foot on the field.

To get a better understanding of just how big this news is for UCLA, let’s take a closer look at what Vanderdoes brings to the table. Here’s a breakdown of Eddie Vanderdoes to the Bruins by the numbers.

5

Vanderdoes earned a 5-star ranking unanimously across every recruiting service, making him the hands-down highest level commit of the 2013 UCLA class. Before his flip from the Irish, the Bruins didn’t have any 5-stars, with high 4-star Priest Willis as the prized gem of the group. And yet, UCLA still had the best class in the Pac-12, so the addition of Vanderdoes and his lofty ranking is just the cherry on top. With Eddie in the fold, Coach Mora and the Bruins have established themselves as a legitimate contender for the top talent, both in California and around the country.

39

As you would expect, the recruiting battle for Vanderdoes’ services was fiercely contested, and was really never resolved even after National Signing Day came and went. According to 247Sports, Vanderdoes held scholarship offers from 39 Division I programs, including some of the most elite names in college football. The fact that UCLA won the war over other suitors like Alabama, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oregon and the rest is truly remarkable. And while proximity to his family in California ended up being the deciding edge for the Bruins, he wouldn’t have made the switch unless he was really sold on the program and coaching staff as well. Credit Mora and Co. for sticking with it until the final bell.

310

This is Vanderdoes’ listed weight as a senior in high school, which gives you some insight into why he was such a hot commodity. There are three tackles (2 DT, 1 NT) on the current UCLA roster, as well as one incoming freshman in Kenneth Clark. As it stands now, only 2012 5-star signee Ellis McCarthy significantly trumps Vanderdoes, weighing in at a gargantuan 330 pounds (though he has an extra 2-3 inches of height to work with). Senior Seali’i Epenesa is listed at 316 pounds, but by the time Vanderdoes is an upperclassman, you can bet he’ll be north of that mark by a wide margin. If UCLA can continue to collect bigger, faster, more physical talent to fill out the locker room, the malevolent moniker “gutty little Bruins” might finally be shed once and for all.

19

Playing at Placer High outside Sacramento, Vanderdoes combined to rack up 19 sacks as a junior and senior. His physical tools are unrivaled on the West Coast, and he should have no trouble bringing some of that production to the college level. And considering he will have to sit out a season, by the time 2014 rolls around, Vanderdoes will be integrated into Mora’s system and eager to get his feet wet in Westwood. If you’re a fan of crushing opposing quarterbacks, I have a feeling you’ll be high on Vanderdoes at first glance.

0

This is the amount of class and grace that Notre Dame exhibited in refusing to release Vanderdoes from his Letter of Intent. I understand that the kid made a commitment, but at the end of the day, he’s just a teenager who wants to be closer to his family. It makes sense that the Irish decided against letting him go, as it prevents them from looking weak. However, it’s really unfortunate that Vanderdoes will have to lose a year of college football eligibility, especially since he never actually enrolled at ND. It’s tough to be surprised by the move, but it won’t be tough to root against the Golden Domers for the rest of eternity as a result.

Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

With UCLA’s football season set to kick-off in under 90 days, it’s about that time we start trying to figure out how good this team should be in 2013, and the level of success necessary for fans to continue feeling good about the Jim Mora era.

While last season should be considered wildly successful, it also needs to be put into perspective. UCLA’s best win came against a decent Nebraska team at home, a Husker squad that went on to win ten games, but looked shaky for parts of the season. After that, you’d have to consider UCLA’s road win over Arizona State to be the second-best victory of the season, an important win considering the Bruins’ history of playing terribly on the road against good conference opponents. Still, neither of these wins, though significant, were defining, signature wins that lifted UCLA’s season to a totally different level of success. (A win against Stanford in the Pac-12 title game or a big win over Baylor in the Holiday Bowl might have done that.)

To some degree, a successful 2013 campaign has to build upon this and take a step forward. It’s unfair to judge the season based on wins alone, so demanding that this UCLA team win ten contests in order to be considered successful is out of the question, especially when you consider the difficult road schedule the Bruins are set to face.

Indeed, “success” can be achieved different ways, especially this season. Here are some very important, preliminary requirements:

Eliminate the proverbial “Cal games”

Last season, the Bruins inexplicably dropped a road game to California in 2012. Two years ago, that might’ve been excusable, but this Golden Bears squad was hapless the entire season, yet Tedford—essentially a lame duck the entire year—out-coached the hell out of Jim Mora, as his Bears pounded the Bruins, 43-17.

In the end, the game was looked back upon with a puzzled look and plenty of “WTF”-type remarks from fans. It proved to be a bewildering loss because the Bruins would go on to win five straight en route to a Pac-12 South title.

In 2013, the Bruins cannot have these types of losses. The college football landscape requires that elite teams win games against easy teams, and those that don’t are sure to be jilted when bowl season rolls around.

While teams improve drastically over one offseason (case in point: UCLA), at the present moment, it appears that five contests are ones that UCLA should win without a real problem: Nevada, New Mexico State, at Utah, California, and Colorado. Aside from the Utah game, all of these are at the Rose Bowl, which should be pretty raucous early on. In essence, these teams are pretty bad (we’ll toss bowl-eligible Nevada in there as well, mainly because the team was barely bowl-eligible in 2012 at 6-6, while long-time head coach Chris Ault retired), and they’re teams that the Bruins should dominate, should recent history be any indication.

A loss to any of these five teams, and you can expect more remarks about this Bruin team’s lack of discipline.

Beat ASU, Win The Pac-12 South

It’s clear now that two teams have the best shot to win the Pac-12 South: UCLA and Arizona State. In essence, any other team that wants to be in contention will likely need to beat both of these squads.

Both improved by leaps and bounds in 2012 under the direction of two new head coaches whose hirings were met with extreme skepticism (indeed, Todd Graham’s departure from Pitt was highly-publicized and widely scrutinized). While UCLA won nine games, ASU managed to avoid its tendency to start hot and finish with a whimper, winning its final three games for the first time since 1978 (yes, that’s a real stat).

So while the Bruins will likely be favored to beat the other four Pac-12 South teams, the Sun Devils could very well be favored to beat UCLA and take home a Pac-12 South title, as well as a berth in the Pac-12 championship game.

Which makes the Bruins’ tilt with ASU on November 23 (the week before the rivalry game against Southern Cal) all the more important, with implications for the postseason likely at stake.

Beat Either Stanford Or Oregon

This is almost non-negotiable, because any argument that the Bruins have taken a “step forward” towards becoming year-in, year-out contenders will almost certainly rely on how the team does against the Pac-12′s current hegemonic powers.

Both Oregon and Stanford will be national title contenders, and the Bruins will have to take on the both of ‘em back-to-back … on the road.

Beating both would obviously put UCLA on the map nationally, but asking for UCLA to do so seems like a bit much. Beating one, though, and hanging with the other would definitely signify that this UCLA team is ready to contend for championships.

(This writer is partial to beating Stanford though, and I think you know why.)

Beat South Cal

This requirement has become less significant and now exists almost primarily for sentimental reasons. USC isn’t likely to be relevant in 2013 with Lane Kiffin set to become a lame duck head coach. Expectations are low in South Central and the squad, though talented, could very well carry on its level of dysfunction into the new season.

Still, beating USC has implications for recruiting and riles up the fan-base, although we’re sure a win over Stanford or Oregon (see: “Beat Either Stanford or Oregon”) could get fans more excited than a win over ‘SC. Meanwhile, getting Lane Kiffin fired would undoubtedly set back the Trojans a couple more years as they would be forced to find a head coach that is able to succeed with unreasonably high expectations.

Win The Bowl Game

There are exceptions to this rule, mainly because we’re not sure of the kind of team UCLA could face come bowl season. Without sounding like enablers, a Rose Bowl berth could see the Bruins pitted against a bona fide national power, such as Ohio State, and a close loss to a Buckeyes team that would likely be a one-loss squad is understandable.

Outside of that, though, the Bruins should win their bowl game. Last year was Jim Mora’s first bowl season, and it ended in disaster as Baylor coach Art Briles out-classed Mora for four quarters without mercy. While it’s hard to excuse, it’s important to note that new college coaches generally struggle in their first bowl game (indeed, Nick Saban, Chip Kelly, and other elite coaches have struggled in their first postseasons as head men).

Winning the bowl game sets the tone for the next season and oftentimes, has a profound impact on how the team moves forward, especially in the early stages of a new head coach’s regime.

Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

Part 12 of Go Joe Bruin’s recruiting profile series goes back to the defensive side of the ball to focus in on defensive tackle Kenneth Clark.

There have already been a number of elite defenders profiled (like Priest Willis), but don’t be fooled by Clark’s placement in the middle of the pack—this kid’s a beast.

The 4-star out of Rialto is the No. 22 DT in the nation, as well as the No. 33 overall prospect from California, according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings.

UCLA was lucky to land his commitment, especially considering how many schools were fighting for his services. Clark had offers from seven other Pac-12 schools, as well as Nebraska, Miami (FL) and Boise State, among others. For Jim Mora to lock up such a highly sought after lineman is impressive, and it’s a rousing victory in the local recruiting scene.

At 6’2″, 280 pounds, Clark is slightly undersized compared to the current UCLA DTs, but he more than makes up for it in tenacity and grit. Clark is a textbook bull rusher, exploding off the snap and plowing through the center of the offensive line. His ability to drive back the opposition compliments the Bruins’ frequent edge blitzes well, and should find good use in Westwood.

However, Clark will probably have to wait a year to put his skills on display. With three returners at tackle, including senior starter Seali’i Epenesa and 2012 recruiting gem Ellis McCarthy, it seems like Clark is destined to redshirt and preserve some eligibility. With a full year of physical training under S&C coach Sal Alosi, Clark could develop into the next great wrecking ball on the Bruins D-Line.

If Mora and Co. continue to recruit defensive talent akin to Clark, the nasty UCLA defenses of lore could make a comeback quickly, and that’s reason for excitement. What’s better than seeing a QB get creamed by a bunch of baby blue Bruins anyway?

Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

As the college football season slowly creeps closer, anticipation is building in Westwood for a UCLA team teetering on the edge of relevance.

The Bruins are expected to make another large stride under second-year head coach Jim Mora in 2013, but an important piece of that equation will be performance at home. UCLA has six games at the Rose Bowl, including two should-win non-conference games and two against the lowest tier of the Pac-12.

The season opener vs. Nevada is no cake walk—just ask Cal how the unveiling of new Memorial Stadium went last year—but the Bruins still come out as 13-point favorites. If UCLA can get past the Wolf Pack, the next home test would come in the form of a textbook gimme.

The boys in blue will welcome New Mexico State on Sept. 21, hopefully riding high after a big win in Lincoln, to close out the non-conference slate. Because the Aggies went 1-11 without a win over an FBS opponent in 2012, something tells me the Bruins will be fine in Week 4.

At this point in the season, UCLA could be undefeated at 3-0, and should be at worst 2-1. When the Bruins host the aforementioned Golden Bears to continue the home schedule in Week 6, it’ll be their last chance to get an easy win for a while.

Medical staff help California Golden Bears quarterback Zach Maynard (15) off the field, Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Despite the fact that Cal clobbered its UC counterpart in Berkeley last year, the Bruins are the odds-on favorite in this game too. The Bears finished with a 3-9 record, counting UCLA as their only notable win all season. In 2013, they’ll have to cope with the firing of Jeff Tedford, the loss of star wideout Keenan Allen (plus major pieces of the secondary), and uncertainty under center.

Unless new head coach Sonny Dykes can settle the dispute at QB quickly, it would seem the Bruins can take care of business at home. And they better—the next two weeks will define what kind of team this could be.

Following the huge matchups in Palo Alto and Eugene, UCLA will look to either recover or race to the finish depending on their results. The Bruins face another Pac-12 doormat in Pasadena the following week as Colorado makes it way out West.

In the two seasons that the Buffs have been in the league, UCLA owns a 2-0 record with a combined score advantage of 87-20. Frankly, the Bruins aren’t known for that kind of destruction, so Colorado must be pretty terrible. With a new head coach in Mike McIntyre, CU will try to start rebuilding this year, but the Buffaloes are a ways away from competing with the contenders.

By now, UCLA very well could be 4-0 at the Rose Bowl, ready to take on their toughest home opponents yet. The Washington Huskies will visit on Friday, Nov. 15 (a game televised on ESPN2), followed a week later by the Arizona State Sun Devils.

The Bruins haven’t faced UW in two years and they lost in the last meeting in Seattle in 2010. This year, UCLA will look to refresh the rivalry by sending senior QB Keith Price home empty handed. After once having Heisman buzz about him, Price has faltered in the later stages of his career and needs a strong final campaign to salvage it.

This will be the first true measuring stick for UCLA on its home turf, though previous road trips will have already shined some light. If the Bruins can knock off the Huskies in front of a national audience on Friday night, it could be the jumping off point for a big finish in the last two games.

At a potential 5-0 at home, UCLA would be set up for Senior Night vs. Arizona State in what will likely be a critical Pac-12 South matchup. The last two meetings have come down to a last-second FG attempt, and with the Sun Devils steadily improving under Todd Graham, this year could be more of the same.

Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Taylor Kelly (10), Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

ASU has a solid defense—much like UCLA—and also has an emerging star signal caller in redshirt junior Taylor Kelly. He’s no Brett Hundley as far as I can see, but Kelly is a legit talent who can make Arizona State a force to be reckoned with. If the Bruins can close out their home schedule undefeated with a victory over a possibly-ranked ASU, it would be the penultimate triumph of the regular season.

After all, the final game of the year is, as it is supposed to be, against Southern Cal. It may not be a home game on the schedule, but if recent trends continue, the Coliseum could be Rose Bowl South for UCLA before you know it. Okay, maybe that’s a little hasty…but I still like the Bruins’ chances.

The Trojans notwithstanding, a perfect home record is completely attainable for UCLA in 2013. It’s almost a necessity really, given how challenging the road will be. If the Bruins do drop a game to ASU or Washington, that wouldn’t be the worst of things. But if unexpected losses like Nevada or Cal start popping up, Mora’s second season could be a smaller step than we’re hoping for.

UCLA offensive line, Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The next installment of Go Joe Bruin’s recruiting profile series spotlights Poasi Moala, the highest rated of the seven offensive line signees that made UCLA’s class the best in the Pac-12 this year.

Moala is a 4-star offensive tackle from Moreno Valley, Calif. who has the potential to be a monster under the tutelage of O-Line coach Adrian Klemm. At 6’5″ and 270 pounds, Moala already has the size necessary to step into a serious role, and should only get stronger with a full collegiate workout regimen.

According to the 247Sports Composite Rankings, Moala is a Top 20 OL prospect nationally, as well as the No. 34 overall recruit coming out of California in 2013. Once a Steve Sarkisian commit to Washington, Moala made the decision that most do, choosing to stay closer to home in the end. After an unofficial visit to UCLA in September, Moala made his pledge to Mora, and it was a big one.

The UCLA offensive line has been a liability for most of my memory as a Bruin. Sure, there have been some respectable groups of big men in the trenches (like the Filthy Five of 2010). But being serviceable is not the same as being elite, and that’s why Mora and Co. went to the recruiting trails to shore things up. In addition to Moala, UCLA signed four other 4-star O-linemen, as well as two more high 3-star recruits. You’ll be hearing plenty more about them in subsequent parts of this series.

The massive haul will add depth to a depleted line and provide competition for an already talented cast that includes starters Xavier Su’a-Filo, Jake Brendel, Simon Goines, and Torian White. Knowing Mora’s style, it wouldn’t be a surprise at all to see some of the true freshmen starting come September. The model proved somewhat tumultuous last season, but with more depth it could pay dividends in years down the road.

Moala, like any other youngster at UCLA, will be given an equal chance to earn his snaps in San Bernardino. It’s very possible that he redshirts and another freshman steps up, but at this point speculation is essentially pointless. The battle will begin in a few months, and it’ll be a critical one for the Bruins’ success.

Without Johnathan Franklin, the offensive line will need to step up and make life easier on the running backs rushing by committee. Moala may not factor in right away this fall, but you can count on him (and his hair) to be well-known in Westwood soon.

Pac-12 Championship Game, UCLA vs. Stanford, Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

There’s really no denying it—the UCLA football program has been stuck in neutral since the new millennium.

Aside from a 10-2 season with Maurice Jones-Drew in 2005, the Bruins haven’t made a dent in the championship conversation. A recent resurgence under head coach Jim Mora has fueled hope for a brighter future, but it’s still unclear just how long it’ll take for the Bruins to make a full return to relevance.

With that said, there’s also no denying that the Bruins took a gargantuan step forward in 2012. Only a year after finishing 6-8 in former coach Rick Neuheisel‘s lap of shame, UCLA won nine games for the second time in 15 years, and claimed the Pac-12 South title outright.

The highlight of the season was a 38-28 win over rival Southern Cal that clinched the division crown in late November. The rain-drenched victory was UCLA’s first in the Battle for Los Angeles since 2006, and only the second since 1998.

Call it schadenfreude, but it was nice for Bruins fans to be on top in the Southland while the Trojans stumbled their way through a lost season.

UCLA uarterback Brett Hundley, Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

However, in spite of the success, the Bruins ended the year on a three-game losing streak, including a shockingly bad showing versus Baylor in the Holiday Bowl. In order for UCLA to earn and keep the respect of the country, Mora will need to show that last season was no fluke. The poll voters need to see the Bruins sustain a high level of play, winning the games they should and some of the ones they probably shouldn’t.

Incidentally, there will be plenty of opportunities for UCLA to wow the college football world in 2013. With a slate that includes road dates at Nebraska, Stanford, Oregon and Southern Cal (all teams ranked in preseason projections), the Bruins will have the nation’s attention a number of times.

There’s definitely reason for concern regarding UCLA’s schedule in Mora’s second year. To be sure, it’s one of the toughest in the conference. But anyone who regulars the sports book knows you need to bet big to win big (unless you’re lucky enough to predict the day’s blockbuster upset).

If the Bruins can survive a manageable home slate and pull off a few big wins on the road, they could find themselves in their second ever BCS bowl during the system’s final season. At the same time, a few slip ups in Pasadena or a poor showing under the bright lights could leave UCLA back in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl conversation.

For the Bruin faithful, an invigorating 2012 campaign inspires reserved optimism, but we’ve been fooled far too many times before. The calling card of UCLA athletics this century has been falling flat just when we think they’re getting it. Mora and the Bruins are in a position seldom seen in Westwood, ranked in preseason polls with a palpable media buzz and legitimate expectations.

Should we expect an end to the SEC’s championship run in favor of the True Blue? It doesn’t seem likely. But should we expect a disciplined, mentally tough team fighting tooth and nail every week? Absolutely.

Anthony Barr, Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The Bruins have the returning pieces, incoming talent and coaching necessary to compete for another Pac-12 South title and a third straight championship game appearance. It wouldn’t surprise anyone if UCLA doesn’t get there again, but it would be horrifying if the Bruins weren’t at least in contention to the bitter end.

The road will be long—filled with doubters, haters and a hoard of ‘SC homers. UCLA is on the cusp of true relevance, but is also one rough stretch away from the familiar abyss. Cue Simon & Garfunkel – The Sound of Silence.

We’ll get our first taste of the future when the Bruins welcome Nevada to the Rose Bowl on Aug. 31, followed by an excruciating bye week and a trip to Lincoln the week after. By then, we’ll know just how close UCLA is to its glorious comeback. And by the end of October, all our questions about the reality of the “Bruin Revolution” will be answered…at least until next offseason.

Anthony Barr (11), Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

“Matt Barkley walks into a Barr. Ouch.”

Though I never enjoy seing a player get injured—regardless of their school of choice—this spinoff of what may be the most overused joke of all time serves as the perfect description of Anthony Barr‘s play at linebacker last season. Well, aside from the “walking” into him part—it was more of a steamroll.

Barr, who could have easily been a top 10 pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, decided to stay in school for his senior year, and has the potential to lead the Bruins to new heights. After switching around in the backfield from fullback to halfback, Barr found that his talent was at the linebacker position. In the midst of recording 13.5 sacks for -70 yards last season, he continued to raise the bar and soar to new heights. Pushing the opposition back 175 yards in 14 games allowed the offense to get going early, and though he didn’t give the offense yards as a running back, he gave them chances as a linebacker.

His choice to stay at UCLA, though, could be critical to his development as an athlete. This season is make or break for him—a chance to raise, or possibly drop, his draft stock. Already added to the Lott watch list, Barr has a lot to live up to. The Lott IMPACT Trophy is awarded annually to a defensive player for making an impact both on and off the field, something Barr has already accomplished. His play last season was outstanding both statistically and emotionally. He ranked second in the nation in sacks while leading his team both on and off the field.

I see Barr matching, if not exceeding, his benchmarks last season. But his offseason work will be the determining factor. Keep an eye on him when the Bruins face off against Stanford and Oregon in back-to-back games, as it will be a test of his tackling abilities in the Bay Area, and a test of his speed and football IQ in Eugene. Barr can and will be one of many keys to the Bruins’ success this season. If he plays like we know he can, a Rose Bowl for UCLA isn’t that farfetched after all.