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UCLA Football: How hard will the Bruins’ 2018 schedule be?

By Mike Regalado

WESTWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 27: Chip Kelly speaks to the media following a press conference which introduced him as UCLA's new Football Head Coach on November 27, 2017 in Westwood, California. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images)
WESTWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 27: Chip Kelly speaks to the media following a press conference which introduced him as UCLA's new Football Head Coach on November 27, 2017 in Westwood, California. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – NOVEMBER 25: Quarterback Jake Browning #3 of the Washington Huskies passes against the Washington State Cougars at Husky Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – NOVEMBER 25: Quarterback Jake Browning #3 of the Washington Huskies passes against the Washington State Cougars at Husky Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

Colorado Buffaloes in Boulder, CO | September 28 (Friday)

  • ESPN FPI Rank: 79
  • UCLA projected win %: 67.6
  • 2017 Record: 5-7, 4-5 (6th Pac-12 South)
  • 2017 Result: UCLA 27 – Colorado 23

After three games, the Bruins should fit a little better into their system, but reality quickly hits with a Friday night affair with Colorado, a team that is not expected to do much this fall. The advantage UCLA has is that they have a bye the week before, so Kelly will be able to make the necessary tweaks to his team after the non-conference schedule. Still, the thin air up in Boulder can create problems, though Kelly should have his Bruins ready for any situation.

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Washington Huskies at the Rose Bowl | October 6

  • ESPN FPI Rank: 6
  • UCLA projected win %: 48.3
  • 2017 Record: 10-3, 7-2 (2nd Pac-12 North)
  • 2017 Result: #12 Washington 44 – UCLA 23

The Bruins put up a fight up in Seattle last season (sort of), but that was with Josh Rosen leading the offense. The Bruins also had Jim Mora leading the team, so though they take a step back in the QB department, they take a step up in the coaching category. Still, Kelly is going to need to have a top notch game plan for his Bruins to beat the established Chris Petersen-led Washington Huskies. Having the game at the Rose Bowl will help a little, but this is Washington and it will be a few years before the Bruins can slug it out with the Huskies.

California Golden Bears in Berkeley, CA | October 13

  • ESPN FPI Rank: 27
  • UCLA projected win %: 27.6
  • 2017 Record: 5-7, 2-7 (5th Pac-12 North)
  • 2017 Result: UCLA 30 – Cal 27

Though every game at Memorial Coliseum is tough, I do not see this game being extremely difficult for the Bruins. Yes, Cal made some progress last season with first year coach Justin Wilcox, but the Bruins were able to outlast the Golden Bears in 2017. In that game, Devon Modster took over in the second half due to an injury to Josh Rosen, so they have that in their favor. Interestingly enough, UCLA also has Cal’s old DL coach, Jerry Azzinaro, who is now in charge of the Bruins’ defense. Sure, this will be tough, but not as incredibly.