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UCLA Football: A game of numbers – comparing UCLA and Fresno State

By David Rosenthal

PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Chip Kelly of the UCLA Bruins watches during the second quarter against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Rose Bowl on September 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Chip Kelly of the UCLA Bruins watches during the second quarter against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Rose Bowl on September 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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NORMAN, OK – SEPTEMBER 08: Head coach Chip Kelly of the UCLA Bruins during the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Bruins 49-21. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK – SEPTEMBER 08: Head coach Chip Kelly of the UCLA Bruins during the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Bruins 49-21. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /

POINTS PER GAME

UCLA: 19.0 (114th in the nation)

Fresno State: 46.5 (21st)

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Under Chip Kelly’s offense, most thought the Bruins were going to put up, well, Oregon type numbers. But with a new head coach and quarterback, the offense was bound to need a few games to comfortable. So far, it hasn’t been good but there are some signs of improvement.

The Bruins’ rushing attack has made leaps and bounds from last year averaging 136.5 yards a game. That’s better than the past two years when running the ball was just a way to get to the next down. Now UCLA needs to find a way to get the ball in the end zone because you don’t get points just for having a slightly less than average rushing game.

The Bulldogs points per game are somewhat skewed since they opened the season putting 79 points on FCS Idaho. They were brought back to Earth last week when they were held to 14 points by Minnesota. Still, it shows that Fresno State has the ability to put a big number on the board if given the opportunity.

ADVANTAGE: The Bruins have put up much fewer points but have played a more difficult schedule in this young season. By the looks of these two offenses, the game on Saturday seems to be headed for a low scoring affair but UCLA might have the advantage due to the tougher opponents they have played.