UCLA College Football Predictions 2009
Written June 27, 2009 by InfoPlays
UCLA has made huge gains in the recruiting war with USC, but that momentum could falter if the Bruins to not reach a bowl game for a second straight year. The offense should be better because the talent is improving, but the lack of one game-breaker is an issue. The defense will need to carry the Bruins early, but inexperience beyond the starters causes concern for the two-deep. NCAA football lines have the Bruins listed at +7500 to win the 2010 BCS National Championship.
Offense: Redshirt freshman Kevin Prince has been named the starting quarterback. Now the UCLA Bruins need to figure out how the five guys in front of him will be configured. Colorado transfer Kai Maiava is the given. He is a center who brings toughness to the unit, but an influx of true freshman and junior college transfers has the rest of the offensive line unsettled. Sophomore Jeff Baca will likely be the only returning starter up front, as he shifts from tackle to guard. Prince won the quarterback job in the spring, beating out last year’s starter Kevin Kraft. Craft threw 20 interceptions a year ago, and has his work cut out for him to earn the backup job as freshman Richard Brehaut looks to take that spot.
Offensive coordinator Norm Chow feels prince has a good grasp on the offense and he understands what Chow is trying to get done, plus he’s very accurate. The coaching staff determined before spring practice that inexperienced junior running back Christian Ramirez, who was academically ineligible last season, would be the starter at a position where the Bruins appear to have talent and depth. Sophomore Derrick Coleman is the primary backup after racking up 284 yards on the ground last year, with Jonathan Franklin and Milton Knox battling it out for the rest of the carries. Receiver is another area of talent and depth with Terrance Austin, who had 53 catches a year ago, Taylor Embree and his 40 grabs and Ryan Moya and his 38 catches at tight end. But there is a lack of a downfield threat which continues to plague the program.
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Defense: First-year coordinator Chuck Bullough takes over for DeWayne Walker. Bullough was Walker’s understudy for three years as UCLA’s linebackers coach, so the philosophy will remain the same, but you will see some new wrinkles. Whether Korey Bosworth and Datone Jones can get enough pressure off the edge is a question, but defensive tackle Brian Price will be a force. The senior tandem of Jess Ward and Jerzy Siewierski should prove price with some relief, unless he gets it from the junior college ranks with a couple of players coming in training camp this fall.
The linebackers will be the strength. Kyle Bosworth returns from a knee injury to join Reggie Carter and Akeem Ayers. All three are sure tacklers who get to the ball quickly. Putting pressure on the quarterback will be vital to make up for breakdowns in the secondary. Redshirt freshman cornerback Aaron Hester and first-year starting strong safety Glenn Love could struggle early as starters. The calming influences will be three-year starting corner Alterraun Verner and free safety Rahim Moore, who started 12 games last season as a true freshman.
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