Know Your Opponent: UCLA Football vs. Cincinnati 2018

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CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 31: Head coach Luke Fickell of the Cincinnati Bearcats is seen during the game against the Austin Peay Governors at Nippert Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

The Chip Kelly era official kicks of for the UCLA football team with the first game of the season against the Cincinnati Bearcats. Here is what you need to Know Your Opponent…

Here we are, folks! Game week for your UCLA football team as they prepare to take on the Cincinnati Bearcats in the first game of the season. What adds to the excitement of 2018 is the fact that there is a new Bruin boss in command as Chip Kelly starts his reign in Westwood.

So what are we to expect from UCLA’s first opponent, the Cincinnati Bearcats? Even though they are in their second year with head coach Luke Fickell, they have had a few things going right for them, yet they are still a long way from becoming a successful program. The future looks good for Cincinnati, especially in recruiting, but right now, they might have a hard time with UCLA.

Cincinnati Offense

Cincinnati is going to have to try and put forth a tremendous effort keeping their quarterback’s jersey clean. Though Hayden Moore had some impressive stats last season (2,562 passing yards, 20 touchdowns), the team as a whole had some of the worst offensive stats in the AAC. It gets even harder for the Bearcats this season as they lose four offensive linemen and return only two with major experience.

"Did You Know? Butch Jones, Brian Kelly and Mark Dantonio were all at one point head coaches for the Cincinnati Bearcats?"

Yes, that sounds similar to that of your Bruins, but UCLA was in a different position last year. Despite a bad running game, it actually improved from 2016 to 2017, mostly because of the O-line. But yes, having only two starting linemen return is a big deal for both of these teams.

Moore also has to limit his turnovers and going backward on the field. In 2017 he threw nine interceptions and was sacked 15 times. If this season’s O-line is not as successful as last year’s, Moore is going to have a hard time staying upright, limiting what he can do on the field. That is where UCLA has to attack. If their defense wants to be known as aggressive (as it has in spring and fall camp), they have to start with Cincinnati and not let up. Get into the backfield, take some risks, and put people on the ground.

Still, it will not be as easy as that. The Bearcats do have some weapons on their squad that should help Moore move the ball.

"Did You Know? This is the first time UCLA and Cincinnati will meet."

At running back, Gerrid Doaks returns with only 53 rushing yards, but take into consideration that he averaged 5.9 yards per carry. He will also help in the receiving game as he added 135 yards through the air, averaging almost 10 yards per catch. That is good news as Cincinnati also returns two of their top three receivers from last season, Kahlil Lewis (676 yds, 11.1 per catch, 7 TDs) and Thomas Geddis (388 yds, 13.4 per catch, 3 TDs).

If Cincinnati can get the ball down the field, more power to them, but it will be a daunting task considering that UCLA’s defense is ready to show the nation that they are nothing like they were last season. The Bruins will not only be able to stop the run (in this game, let us not get ahead of ourselves) but also limit Cincinnati’s points.