With 50 days until kickoff, Go Joe Bruin wants you to be aware of 50 things with the UCLA football team this coming season.
There are exactly 50 days until the UCLA Football team takes the field for the first time with Chip Kelly leading them into battle. Needless to say, it is quite exciting.
RELATED: 10 Bold Predictions for UCLA Football’s 2018 Season
With that in mind, there are going to be a lot of things to look for this season, especially with the expectations that Kelly can turn UCLA into a contender. So here are 50 that we have nicely packaged for you. Enjoy.
1. An 8-4 record or a 4-8? Or worse? Or better?
No one has a clue about what will happen with the UCLA football team this fall. They could be very good, they could be very bad. They could also be very average. Though many believe Kelly will eventually turn UCLA around, it will be extremely hard to be successful in the first season. They lose uber QB Josh Rosen as well as some notable talent, but they still have a handful of skilled players as well as a strong freshman class. No matter the outcome, it is only a stepping stone for what Kelly is ultimately trying to accomplish.
2. The Quarterback Battle Royale
The Bruins have a full on Battle Royale this fall as they have five signal callers vying for one spot. Freshman Dorian Thompson-Robinson, transfer Wilton Speight and returners Devon Modster, Matt Lynch and Austin Burton will all be fight, fight, fighting to lead Chip Kelly’s system.
"KEY STAT – The Bruins were last in stopping the run (123 out of 129) last year as they gave up 287.4 yards per game"
3. The secondary will be really good
If Jim Mora did anything right, it was building a solid secondary. from recruiting to development, UCLA has had a pretty impressive track record of having one of the best secondaries in the nation. Not only is there talent at every position, not only is there depth, but there is a lot of experience. CB Nate Meadors and Darnay Holmes and S Adarius Pickett and Quentin Lake are going to be a force to reckon with.
4. Who will excel at running backs?
The QB battle is not the only one that UCLA will have to endure this fall. The battle for the starting running back spot will also be something that fans should keep an eye on. Will it be seniors Bolu Olorunfunmi or Soso Jamabo? Will Joshua Kelley or Brandon Stephens make a move to the top? Maybe it is freshman speedster Kazmeir Allen that could get the nod. Either way, it should be exciting watching multiple backs perform under the new coach.
5. Continue the Flintoft lift off
Punter Stefan Flintoft was the chosen one over Austin Kent, who has since left the program. With punting in dire need of a boost, this walk-on gave consistency to the team that needed help backing up opponents so the defense could go to work. Watch for him to continue his rise in 2018.