UCLA Football: Bruins focusing on Colorado after bye week drama

The UCLA football team is preparing to take on the Colorado Buffaloes after a bye week that was anything but boring. After some drama that kept Bruins fans distracted, it is now time to get back to business.

The UCLA football team might have had a bye week but the entertainment factor of the events that took place in the last seven days equaled that of an actual game.

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After UCLA’s 38-14 loss to Fresno State, the Bruns went 0-3 for the first time since 1971, which set off a storm of emotions on social media. Fans were clearly unhappy with the start after having such high expectations in regards to Chip Kelly leading the program and they let it be known.

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One, in particular, got a lot of attention, especially on a national level. Michael Robinson, father of QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, was critical about the Bruins’ style of play and about Kelly himself. This got him unfairly compared to the likes of LaVar Ball. As Bruins fans know, only LaVar Ball can out LaVar Ball himself. Still, this is a team in transition that is using a lot of young players and some bumps in the road are expected.

Kelly addressed the situation by saying that it is an emotional game and people will have their opinions. It was a very diplomatic way of handling the situation and it all seemed to simmer down from that point.

Unfortunately, one narrative that arose from all of this, mostly by disgruntled UCLA fans, was that DTR should transfer if the family does not like the situation. This was another unfair assessment after the loss. Yes, UCLA is not in a good spot right now, but insinuating that a true freshman should transfer after he is putting everything he has into the game he loves might be a bit much. Luckily, all of this has calmed down.

As far as the 0-3 start, many have suggested that 2018 is a “throwaway season”, meaning Kelly is sacrificing this year to prepare for the future. Kelly made it known that is not the case and he wants to win now. It is not about the future. If UCLA gets wins now, that will better prepare the program for the future.

But the week did not end on a quiet note as redshirt sophomore Devon Modster announced his plans to transfer from the program after getting passed over by DTR and Wilton Speight. Modster was the QB that had the most experience playing with Bruins before the season. Modster only had one snap this year and that was to fill in for DTR who had to leave the Oklahoma game for one play due to his helmet coming off.

Needless to say, despite the break, there was plenty of events to keep the UCLA fan base engaged.

Lastly, if you want to feel better about the UCLA’s situation, you need to listen to last week’s episode of the UCLA B Team podcast as their guest Coach Gary Golden breaks down the Bruins’ offense and explains why things are not as bad as they seem. Click HERE to listen.

With the drama behind us, UCLA can now concentrate on trying to get their first win of the season. So what is happening with the Bruins as they head into their first Pac-12 game of the season against Colorado?

Speight Not Guaranteed To Start

QB Wilton Speight has not played since the first game of the season. In the second quarter of that contest against Cincinnati, Speight injured his back which has limited him in practice. Signs are pointing to him returning soon, but when he does, he is not guaranteed to start.

Ben Bolch of the L.A. Times quoted Chip Kelly saying, “Whoever gives us the best opportunity against Colorado or Washington or whoever we’re going to play, is going to be the guy that’s going to play.” Despite the 0-3 start Thompson-Robinson has looked a lot more comfortable under center and could lead the Bruins against Colorado this Friday night. Keep in mind, if Speight cannot play, that puts either Matt Lynch or Austin Burton in the backup QB spot after Modster’s exit. Neither have any playing time this season.

Depth Chart Change-Up

UCLA released their depth chart for Colorado and there were a few notable changes. With Modster gone, he is no longer despite making an appearance on the chart for the first three games.

Boss Tagaloa, who is back after serving a three-game suspension made it onto the depth chart as a backup at center. Last week it was reported that he was playing with the first team at right guard, so there is a chance he might have double-duty.

Freshman Martell Irby, who has had significant time playing in the last two games, was listed with the running back depth. He is listed with Bolu Olorunfunmi and Joshua Kelley, both of whom have made the 2-deep depth chart for the first three games (Kelley did not play against Fresno State).