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UCLA Football: 50 things to look for in 2018 with 50 days until kickoff

By Mike Regalado

WESTWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 27: Chip Kelly speaks to the media during a press conference after being introduced as the new UCLA 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 during a press conference after being introduced as the new UCLA Football head coach on November 27, 2017 in Westwood, California. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images) /
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PASADENA, CA – NOVEMBER 24: Devon Modster
PASADENA, CA – NOVEMBER 24: Devon Modster /

31. None of this bend-but-don’t-break nonsense

Let us hope we never have to use the term “bend-but-don’t-break” ever again. That was the mantra for UCLA’s defense under Tom Bradley. Thank god it is over. UCLA’s defense is going to be aggressive and it will be fabulous.

32. 1,000 yard rushers

UCLA has not had a 1,000 yard rusher in a season for a long time. With Kelly wanting to run, run, run, there could legitimately be two 1,000 yard rushers for the season. Which Bruins step up to the plate for that goal?

Related Story: UCLA Football: Revisiting the 2018 recruiting class/in-coming freshmen

33. How will UCLA’s new quarterback perform under Chip Kelly?

It was no surprise that last year’s UCLA Bruins team revolved around Josh Rosen and his golden arm. Opposing teams would stack their secondary just begging Rosen to hand the ball off to the second worst rushing attack in the county. To Rosen’s credit, he was still able to throw for 3,756 yards and 26 touchdowns. We’ll see not only how Chip Kelly utilizes his quarterback (whoever it turns out to be) but how long it will take the quarterback to adjust to Kelly’s system.

34. The Washington test

Oklahoma will be UCLA’s first test of the season, but their first test of the conference schedule comes when Washington visits UCLA on October 6. Not only will Kelly bring out the big plays for this game, but he is also not going down without a fight. But what will be of this fight? The Bruins could get bitten in this game f they are not careful.

35. Big Brother awaits

Right after Washington, UCLA heads up to Cal where they will take on their big brother. On paper, UCLA should beat the Golden Bears, but the Bruins do not do well in Berkeley. In their last nine contests at Memorial Stadium, UCLA has only won one.