Go Joe Bruin
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UCLA Football 2019: 100 things to look for with 100 days until kickoff

By Mike Regalado

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 17: Running back Joshua Kelley #27 of the UCLA Bruins looks over his shoulder as he heads for the end zone during the first second of a football game at Rose Bowl on November 17, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 17: Running back Joshua Kelley #27 of the UCLA Bruins looks over his shoulder as he heads for the end zone during the first second of a football game at Rose Bowl on November 17, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /

31. Will a QB get anywhere near Josh Rosen’s 3,756 yards from 2017?

That is a silly question. The answer is “no.” Rosen was a generational player and chasing his stats is a crazy man’s game. Whether it is DTR, Austin Burton or Chase Griffin, not one will get close to Rosen mostly because these QBs will run more than the now-Miami Dolphin, but also because they do not have his arm. Still, all three will improve off of last season’s stats. DTR will be looking to get more than 1,311 and Bruton and Griffin should do better than the zero yards they accumulated last year. Nowhere to go but up!

32. Will there be trouble in Tucson? UCLA takes on Arizona in the desert

There is already trouble in Tucson, and it is has nothing to do with UCLA. The Bruins held out to get the win in 2018 at the Rose Bowl, but considering the trajectory of each, it seems UCLA has the edge in this game, despite their historic lack of luck in the desert.

Important Stat!

  • UCLA pass defense in 2017: 196.3 yards
  • UCLA pass defense in 2018: 245.5 yards

33. Improved special teams coverage, please

There are at least three games UCLA could have won last year, but thanks to special teams, they didn’t. It seems the coaches did not make special teams coverage a priority and the Bruins paid in giving up chunk yards and touchdowns. That should change this season because… well it pretty much has to. If Kelly is focused on winning, he will focus on all aspects of the game. Remember kids, punting (coverage) is winning.

34. Not so many injuries

Fingers crossed that UCLA does not sustain the number of injuries they had last year. I just can’t take it anymore. Can we please have a steady, consistent lineup full of experienced players? At least through half the season. Although, the young-ins that were thrown into action due to injuries last season now have some game experience, so that’s a plus.

35. Boss Tagaloa will have a fantastic senior season

The offensive line got so much better after Tagaloa was inserted into it in Week 4 (after he served a three-game suspension). I mean, they became a really good line. So with a year of experience under his belt, he should also get into the All-Pac-12 conversation. And to think, two years ago he was a defensive lineman.