The UCLA football team begins the season this Saturday and though we do not know what they will present, GJB looks at 15 things that will be important to the Bruins’ success.
What will the UCLA football team look like in 2018? We have no idea, though we have pieced together what we think they could look like.
RELATED: 10 Bold Predictions for UCLA Football in 2018
With that in mind, a lot of questions remain, but they will be answered this Saturday as UCLA takes on Cincinnati at the Rose Bowl for the 2018 season opener. So here are 15 things Go Joe Bruin will keep an eye on versus the Bearcats (and throughout the season).
1. Tempo
This is supposed to go fast. But just how fast? Chip Kelly is known for getting the run going but he has a tough task for a team that could only muster 116.4 yards per game (112th under 130 teams) in 2017. How does he plan to kick things up a notch in 2018? By going fast. If his opponents can’t catch him, then UCLA has a huge advantage, so expect the tempo to be “GO! GO! GO!”
2. Aggression, Violence
Since spring we have been hearing about the Bruins playing a lot more aggressively on defense. That was confirmed when defensive line coach Vince Oghobaase would holler at his players, “more violence!” From what has been seen during spring practice and fall camp, the defense is playing with something to prove. Last season, the Bruins gave up 287.4 yards per game on the ground, second worst in the nation. That is not something they wish to repeat. Though they will not be otherworldly (yet), there will be massive improvements.
3. New Formations, Men in Motion
Kelly is known for being innovative and the Cincinnati game seems like the right time to try some new things or at least tweaks some old things. Kelly can easily set up in standard run-based formations, but he likes to use the man in motion after reading the defense. A simple man moving to a new spot can change the entire look of the offense, but I wouldn’t be surprised if there are a few schemes that look slightly odd and if they look weird to us, you can bet they will look weird to Cincinnati.