2011 UCLA Football Predictions
Written by Steve Janus
The UCLA Bruins are coming off their second 4-8 finish in the last three years, and were a miserable 2-7 in conference play last season. There is some hope that head coach Rick Neuheisel can get things turned around in 2011. UCLA has 17 starters back (Most PAC-12), and should be much improved offensively in the second year of the pistol formation. If Neuheisel doesn’t get this team to improve, it could very well be his last with the Bruins.
To get idea of where this team is headed in 2011, let’s take a look at who they will be sending to the field on both sides of the ball. I will also throw in my prediction on where I see them finishing this year in the PAC-12.
Offense:
A big reason why the Bruins struggled in 2010 is they didn’t get great quarterback play. Kevin Prince went into the season as the starter, but was never ever able to get healthy after suffering a back injury in the fall and then later hurting his knee. Prince’s season was ended after five starts, leaving the door open for Richard Brehaut. The two combined to throw for just 1,680 yards with just nine touchdowns to 12 interceptions. I’m giving Price the edge to start heading into the 2011 season, and I expect to see some big improvements this season if he can stay healthy.
The one consistent threat the Bruins had on the offensive side of the ball was sophomore running back Johnathan Franklin, who rushed for 1,127 yards and nine touchdowns. They also return backup Derrick Coleman, who finished second on the team with 487 yards and five touchdowns. With Franklin leading the way the Bruins should once again have one of the best rushing attacks in the conference.
While the Bruins main focus is on running the football, they appear to have a ton of weapons at their disposal in the passing game. They bring back seniors Taylor Embree and Nelson Rosario, who combined for 61 catches for 718 yards. They also add in Notre Dame transfer Shaquille Evans and redshirt freshman Kyle Slowey, and are hoping to see something out of Jerry Rice Jr. (Son of NFL HOF wide out).
Up front the Bruins should be solid on the offensive line with three of the five starters back from last year. They bring back both starting tackles in seniors Mike Harris and Sean Sheller and sophomore left guard Stan Hasiak. Senior Kai Maiava will take over at the center position, while sophomore Chris Ward steps in at right guard.
Defense:
The Bruins really struggled defensively last year, as they went from allowing 21.2 points per game in 2009 to 30.3 in 2010. Some of that had to do with the lack of production they were getting out of the offense, and some with the lack of experience they had on this side of the ball. Of the eight starters back for this year, only two are seniors.
On the defensive line the Bruins bring back sophomore defensive ends Owamgbe Odighizuwa and Keenan Graham, and also return junior Datone Jones, who was forced to use a medical redshit last season. In the middle they bring back talented sophomore defensive tackle Cassius Marsh and add in senior Nate Chandler. The trio of Odighizuaw, Graham and Jones should allow the Bruins to put a ton of pressure on opposing quarterbacks, and overall this should be one of the most improved defensive lines in the country.
At linebacker the Bruins lose a big time playmaker in Akeem Ayers, but have a couple of very talented players coming back in senior weak-side linebacker Sean Westgate and junior middle linebacker Patrick Larimore. Westgate is one of the best at his positions in the PAC-12, and should be even better with the expected improvement on the defensive line. Added to the mix will be sophomore strong-side linebacker Jordan Zumwalt, who recorded 32 tackles and three sacks in four starts as a true freshman.
In the secondary the Bruins lose another key player in free safety Rahim Moore, but should have enough talent coming back to keep this unit from dropping off. Junior corner Sheldon Price and senior strong safety Tony Dye are two of the best at their positions in the conference. Junior Aaron Hester returns at the other starting corner spot, while fellow junior Dalton Hilliard figures to take over for Moore at free safety.
PAC-12 Prediction: 3rd PAC-12 South – Even though the Bruins have five road games in conference play this season, I think they are on the verge of a breakout season. I think they will struggle in their three games against Stanford, USC, and Arizona State, but I could see them winning at least five of their other six conference games. If they can manage to beat Arizona State at home, they could surprise everyone and end up playing in the PAC-12 Conference Championship Game.
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