UCLA Football: Revisiting the 2019 schedule after National Signing Day

The UCLA football team has their players for the 2019 season and after a look at the potential depth chart, Go Joe Bruin takes a look at what this team can do with their schedule.

With National Signing Day come and gone, the next phase of UCLA football is starting to take shape. With the Bruins hauling in 19 players in this recruiting class, they have added some depth and talent to several position groups.

Since the last time we looked at the 2019 schedule, there have been some changes to the program. Obviously, as noted above, the Bruins added several players which filled in much-needed depth at linebacker and offensive line. In addition, the Bruins have added a few running backs which include speedster Keegan Jones (though he is officially part of the 2018 class) and recently signed fullback, Sitiveni Kaufusi.

So as far as the roster is concerned, the Bruins have a lot of tools to work with, even if you think that the recent recruiting class was underwhelming.

Now to the schedule. There has been only one change as the Bruins’ season opener has now been moved forward two days to accommodate ESPN’s broadcast of the game and giving UCLA-Cincinnati a marquee spot.

The 2019 UCLA Football Schedule

August 29 (Thursday) at Cincinnati
September 7 vs SDSU
September 14 vs Oklahoma
September 21 at Washington State
September 28 at Arizona
Oct 5 vs Oregon State
October 17 (Thursday) at Stanford
October 26 vs Arizona State
November 2 vs Colorado
November 16 at Utah
November 23 at USC
November 30 vs Cal

With UCLA not having a stellar track record on Thursday nights and since the Bruins are going against a surprising Bearcat squad on their home turf, the Bruins’ season might start off with an “L”.

When it comes to San Diego State, don’t be surprised if the Aztecs keep this game close. Though they went 7-6, they will definitely come out to the Rose Bowl swinging. Still, I give UCLA the “W” here.

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Now to Oklahoma who has Alabama transfer Jalen Hurts. Yeah, this will be an “L” which would put UCLA at 1-2. Though I beleive we will see a better start to the season than we did in 2018, performance-wise, it won’t translate to their record. But what does the Pac-12 race hold?

The Pac-12 is a mess and UCLA is improving, which is why I am being a bit more optimistic about the potential results to 2019. Well, it won’t start off great, especially with an early game at Washington State who just landed grad transfer Gage Gubrud, a two-time finalist for FCS offensive player of the year during his time at Eastern Washington. Though UCLA’s depth and talent will shine in this game, I have to give this an “L”.

Things get easier after that. With a trip to Arizona and Oregon State coming to Pasadena, the Bruins should even up their overall record and will be 3-3 by the time they face Stanford.

I would like to say UCLA will finally beat Stanford, especially with the way they played last season. but I would be giving myself false hope, especially since this one is up at the farm and on a Thursday. Sigh, “L”.

UCLA then has their next two games at home against teams they were very competitive with in 2018: Arizona State and Colorado. I call wins for both of these games which gives us a record of 5-4 overall and 4-2 in the conference. I believe UCLA’s development and depth at certain positions will help them to get wins in each of these contests.

Now for the tough stretch. Two road games at Utah and USC. Utah will be competitive and will get the win and USC is still a mess so UCLA will be 6-5, 5-3 going into their final game against Cal at the Rose Bowl.

Cal never does well in the Arroyo Seco and until they fix their problems on offense, they are going to suffer more losses.

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With this being said, I predict a 7-5, 6-3 finish for the Bruins. Good enough for a bowl berth and a potential clinching of the South Division and a trip to the Pac-12 Championship Game.