2008 UCLA Bruins Football
Rich Neuheisel is a proven winner at the college level and he’ll get another chance to win at the BCS level with the UCLA Bruins this season. Neuheisel has 12 starters back from last year’s squad that finished 6-7 after losing to BYU in the Las Vegas Bowl. Let’s see how well these starters can grasp his system and how productive his first recruiting class can be. The Info Plays team gives you our 2008 UCLA Bruins football predictions and a team preview below.
Offense:
The good news is that Neuheisel brought in offensive coordinator Norm Chow to run his offense. Chow is a proven coordinator at the college level and comes back to his comfort level after coaching Vince Young and the Tennessee Titans at the NFL ranks last season. Starting quarterback Patrick Cowan is done for the season after tearing the ACL in his left knee. Backup Ben Olson broke his right foot late in the spring and is scheduled to miss two months of offseason training. That leaves the QB position thin, with Junior college transfer Kevin Craft next in line. Plus, the line only has one starter back in left tackle Micah Kia.
Micah Reed moves from guard to starting center, and converted defensive tackle Darius Savage will start at left guard. In all, eight of UCLA’s top ten offensive linemen didn’t play a single snap last season. UCLA’s top two tailbacks are coming off reconstructive knee surgeries. That’s senior Kahlil Bell and red shirt freshman Raymond Carter. That leaves four freshman who’ll get a chance, led by Aundre Dean. Fifth-year senior Marcus Everett, junior Terrence Austin and sophomore Dominique Johnson will lead the receiving corps. Look for 6-4 freshman Nelson Rosario to get a chance as well.
Defense:
Proven defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker must replace All-American end Bruce Davis and five other starters. There are solid tackles left in sophomore Brian Price and fifth-year senior Brigham Harwell. Hard-hitting linebacker Reggie Carter has moved to middle linebacker where he’ll make the play calls. Competition for weak side linebacker will last through the fall with senior John Hale, red shirt freshman Akeem Ayers and senior Joshua Edwards battling it out.
Korey Bosworth and Tom Blake are starters at defensive ends, but incoming freshmen Datone Jones and Damien Holmes will vie for playing time. Standout junior Alterraun Verner is the only returning starter in the secondary. Another fifth-year senior cornderback Michael Norris, free safety Aaron Ware and strong safety Bret Lockett will be given the first chance to start. Incoming freshmen Rahim Moore, Aaron Hester and Anthony Dye will challenge for time in the secondary.
UCLA Football Predictions at Info Plays: 5th in the Pac-10
This is definitely a rebuilding process in Neuheisel’s first season. Talent and depth are lacking, and UCLA’s schedule won’t help matter. A home opener against Tennessee in Week 1 and a road game at BYU in Week 2 will likely offer growing pains. Neuheisel’s homecoming has energized fans, but questions at quarterback and on the offensive line could make for a difficult debut season in which a mid-level bowl should be the highest expectations. A favorable home schedule, as you’ll see below, should help the Bruins’ cause.
Pac-10 Wins Expected in ‘08: ARIZONA, WASHINGTON STATE, STANFORD, OREGON STATE
Potential Scares/Losses: at Oregon, at California, at Washington, at Arizona State, USC
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