Knowing what we know after Spring Practice, Go Joe Bruin re-examines the 2019 UCLA football schedule and predicts the Bruins’ final regular season record.
Spring is over, so what should we expect of the UCLA football team heading into next season? It is apparent the Bruins are in a better place now than they were after the 2018 Spring Game, which lights the lamp of optimism when analyzing and predicting what they could do in 2019.
RELATED: UCLA Football Post-Spring Depth Chart
So what can the Bruins do next season? Let us look at the schedule by examining each game…
At Cincinnati, August 29 (Thu)
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Looking at UCLA’s game against Cincinnati from last year (and the Bearcats’ improvement throughout the season), I want to give UCLA the loss, but something is keeping me from going directly to that assessment. The fact that UCLA was so much better in the second half of the season compared to the first shows that this team is making major strides. Add in a more comfortable and confident offense and defense and the Bruins will put up a fight in Cincy. It might be overly optimistic, but I’m giving UCLA the win. W (1-0)
Vs San Diego State, September 7
San Diego State is no cupcake, but the Bruins should be well prepared for this game and get the win. W (2-0)
Vs Oklahoma, September 14
UCLA will once again be competitive, but the Sooners will have a seamless transition from the Kyler Murray era to the Jalen Hurts era. The Bruins might be able to put points on the weakened Oklahoma defense, but their offense will pressure and put the hurt on UCLA’. L (2-1)
At Washington State, September 21
This is going to be a very interesting game for the Bruins as WSU is another team in transition. Though they bring in the talented transfer QB Gage Gubrud, who is currently nursing a foot injury, he needs time to get acclimated to the culture of Cougar football. This early season Pac-12 game could be good for UCLA who could take advantage of the evolving Cougars, who have a history of losing early season games. The optimist in me can see a win, so I’m going with that. W (3-1)
At Arizona, September 28
Though the Bruins usually have trouble in Tucson, they should have no problem with this Arizona team who is also going through growing pains with second-year coach Kevin Sumlin. The Wildcats have a lot of issues they need to figure out which might not be solved by the time UCLA comes to town, giving UCLA another win. W (4-1)
Vs Oregon State, October 5
It’s Oregon State. W (5-1)
At Stanford, October 17 (Thu)
It’s Stanford. L (5-2)
Vs Arizona State, October 26
If UCLA did not have such a mistake-filled performance against ASU last season, they would have won that game in Tempe. With UCLA playing a tighter game, especially with special teams, the Bruins should have no reason to lose to the Sun Devils in Pasadena. W (6-2)
Vs Colorado, November 2
After their game last year, I would have picked Colorado to beat UCLA in 2019, especially since they bludgeoned the Bruins in Boulder, but the Buffs’ epic late-season meltdown showed that they are a program that is still not ready to compete for the Pac-12 South. Plus, the Bruins will want some revenge, so I am giving them the win in this one. W (7-2)
At Utah, November 16
Utah is always consistent and will probably be the favorite to win the division next season. Add to that the fact that UCLA was beaten to a pulp by the Utes at the Rose Bowl last year doesn’t exactly give me hope that they will bounce back at Rice-Eccles. It will be a closer game, but UCLA still loses. L (7-3)
At USC, November 23
If UCLA can beat USC in a rebuilding season, then they can beat them in a season where they know how to execute the now embedded style of Chip Kelly football. Plus, the Trojans are a train wreck. W (8-3)
Vs California, November 30
Cal has a great defense, but will still lack a potent offense. Plus, they do not do well at the Rose Bowl. W (9-3)
Am I predicting a 9-3 season? Yes, and it is not impossible. Though UCLA will have close games against Cincinnati, Washington State, Arizona State, and USC, this record is entirely attainable, especially when you take into account how much UCLA improved from the beginning of last season to the end. So just think how much they can improve from last season to this season.