UCLA Football Early 2018 Schedule Preview: California Golden Bears

BERKELEY, CA - OCTOBER 13: Head coach Justin Wilcox of the California Golden Bears looks on from the sidelines against the Washington State Cougars during the fourth quarter of their NCAA football game at California Memorial Stadium on October 13, 2017 in Berkeley, California. California won the game 37-3. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

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BOULDER, CO – OCTOBER 28: Head coach Justin Wilcox of the California Golden Bears looks on as he talks to players during a game against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field on October 28, 2017 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

California Special Teams

Cal is looking for new blood to take over kicking responsibilities. Kicker Matt Anderson has graduated and punter Dylan Klumph has transferred, so the Bears will probably need some time to get special teams in order. If Cal continues with their returners, expect WR Wharton to field punts and S Davis to get the majority of kickoffs.

Final Analysis

In the last nine trips to Berkeley, UCLA has only won once. There is something about Memorial Stadium that negatively affects the Bruins, but will that be the case this year?

This will be taking place mid-season, so what will we see from UCLA? Chances are, Kelly will still be feeling out his offense and experimenting with different schemes and players. They could stumble or they could rout Cal. If I had to make a prediction right now, I would say that it is a tightly fought game.

Wilcox is not messing around and Cal’s progress should continue to grow in 2018, but do they have the coaching and talent to slow down the uptempo Bruins?

Next: UCLA Football: 10 bold predictions for the 2018 season

Prediction

UCLA 38 – California 35