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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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PASADENA, CA – OCTOBER 21: Royce Freeman
PASADENA, CA – OCTOBER 21: Royce Freeman /

Arizona Wildcats at the Rose Bowl | October 20

  • ESPN FPI Rank: 42
  • UCLA projected win %: 52.9
  • 2017 Record: 7-6, 5-4 (3rd Pac-12 South)
  • 2017 Result: Arizona 47 – UCLA 30

Last season, the Wildcats smacked around the Bruins in the desert behind the magic of dual-threat QB Khalil Tate. But now everything UCLA does is with a dual-threat QB, so the UCLA defense should be better prepared (honestly, it was atrocious defensive display by the Bruins). Although things are different in Tucson as Kevin Sumlin and former UCLA OC Noel Mazzone look to try to kick start their era, so this is in no way an easy game. Though not against a Pac-12 powerhouse, this will definitely be a challenging matchup.

Related Story: CBS names Chip Kelly as one of the top coaches in CFB

Utah Utes at the Rose Bowl | October 26 (Friday)

  • ESPN FPI Rank: 32
  • UCLA projected win %: 48.3
  • 2017 Record: 7-6, 3-6 (5th Pac-12 South)
  • 2017 Result: Utah 48 – UCLA 17

Utah could be a favorite to win the South Division, but at the very least, will be looking to reverse their 3-6 Pac-12 showing from last season. Utah uncharacteristically fell victim to the conference beating on each other and finished 5th in the division. That will not happen this year, which is why they could be the deadliest team in the South, making this hard game even more insurmountable. Add in the fact that they will be playing this game on a Friday, with only six days of prep from their last game against Arizona, and we are going to have an interesting battle with Utah.

Oregon Ducks in Eugene, OR | November 3

  • ESPN FPI Rank: 23
  • UCLA projected win %: 23.4
  • 2017 Record: 7-6, 4-5 (4th Pac-12 North)
  • 2017 Result: UCLA 31 – Oregon 14

Just over a week after UCLA travels to Utah, they head north to Oregon, you know, the former program of the current UCLA coach. So not only will the loud-as-all-get-out Autzen Stadium be at full volume for Kelly’s return, but the Ducks look like they are going to have a very good squad, so the toughness factor should be up to 11 on this game.