Go Joe Bruin
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 18: Steven Mitchell Jr. #4 of the USC Trojans cuts back on Octavius Spencer #18 of the UCLA Bruins after his catch during the first quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 18, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 18: Steven Mitchell Jr. #4 of the USC Trojans cuts back on Octavius Spencer #18 of the UCLA Bruins after his catch during the first quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 18, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Arizona State Sun Devils in Tempe, AZ | November 10

  • ESPN FPI Rank: 51
  • UCLA projected win %: 44.3
  • 2017 Record: 7-8, 6-3 (2nd Pac-12 South)
  • 2017 Result: UCLA 44 – Arizona State 37

Arizona State has kind of been a laughing stock with the hiring of Herm Edwards, but never count out a team that has everything to prove, especially when they play at home. The Sun Devils and Bruins have had some intense games over the last five season, but that was with both program’s former head coaches. Things will be different this time around, but also remember that this I happening late in the season. The pressure will be on UCLA to win because the next two games are going to really test them.

Related Story: Bruins that could be selected in the 2019 NFL Draft

USC Trojans at the Rose Bowl | November 17

  • ESPN FPI Rank: 15
  • UCLA projected win %: 28.1
  • 2017 Record: 11-3, 8-1 (1st Pac-12 South)
  • 2017 Result: #11 USC 28 – UCLA 23

This will forever be a difficult game, but how difficult will it be? Not only do the Bruins have questions, especially at quarterback with Josh Rosen moving on, but the Trojans will have to figure out what exactly they are going to do in the post-Sam Darnold era. Last season, UCLA almost beat USC, which could occur again, but what if this comes down to coaching? Honestly, without bias (as much as possible), Kelly could have the edge over Clay Helton, who has made some interesting choices as the head coach of the Trojans.

Stanford Cardinal at the Rose Bowl | November 24

  • ESPN FPI Rank: 13
  • UCLA projected win %: 25.8
  • 2017 Record: 9-5, 7-2 (1st Pac-12 North)
  • 2017 Result: Stanford 58 – UCLA 34

Ten times has the unfortunate chance to be 11 times. Not only is UCLA’s thorn-in-it-side over the last decade, Stanford, once again set up for the last game of the season, but with the experience of David Shaw and the fact that Stanford inevitably gets better later in the season, it is quite clear why UCLA is not favored to win this game. Hopefully, Kelly’s Bruins start to operate like Stanford and they have a late season revolution.

Either way, it is going to be very difficult. ESPN predicts a 5-7 season for UCLA, which would not be horrible in Kelly’s first season, but knowing what kind of offensive mind he possesses, there could be a few games where Kelly shocks the world. Still, he is going to have a tough first season in Westwood, let us just hope the Bruins come out stronger in the end.