UCLA Football Early 2019 Schedule Preview: Cincinnati Bearcats

Cincinnati Special Teams

The Bearcats have an outstanding punter in their midst as James Smith averaged 44.3 yards per punt last season and was tops in the nation in punt efficiency. The unfortunate thing is that Cincinnati does not necessarily have a placekicker. Though he was only a freshman, Cole Smith has to do better than 5/12, especially from within 40 yards where he went 3/7.

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When it comes to scoring, Cincinnati is either going to have to punch the ball into the endzone or punt it away because they might not get a lot of points from field goals.

Final Analysis

No matter what, the Bruins need to establish a solid gameplan early in this game. It is okay if Kelly wants to tinker with a few things, but he should know exactly what he wants to do in this game before the team lands in Cincinnati.

The run game is going to be essential, and the offense could probably get past this solid Bearcat defense, but they are going to have to endure a lot. Either way, the offense is not what worries us. It is the fact that the Bruins’ defense is coming off a bad year. Though they got worse as the season progressed, they are getting backup which will help them properly execute the aggressive style that is needed to balance out the Bruins’ defense.

So what will happen in this game? With Cincy having the home advantage and Fickell on a roll, I can’t see anything other than a more experienced Bearcat program edging out the up-and-coming Bruins.

Prediction

Cincinnati 32 – UCLA 27