UCLA is going to rediscover a run game under Chip Kelly. Last year, the Bruins averaged only 113 yards per game on the ground, finishing 115th in the country in rushing by the end of 2017. Kelly will get a patchwork offensive line in good shape to block for Bolu Olorunfunmi and Soso Jamabo, though the catalyst is going to be UC-Davis transfer Joshua Kelley. In his last season with the Aggies in 2016, Kelley averaged 7.0 yards per carry.
Where UCLA is going to struggle in September is settling on a quarterback. Devon Modster has starting experience, but he is hardly the type of quarterback that fits into a traditional Chip Kelly offense. Wilton Speight, the transfer from Michigan, also has starting experience with the Wolverines. Then a slew of youngsters, led by blue-chip freshman Dorian Thompson-Robinson, could push both for starting time.
No team in the entire FBS will suffer more penalties in the month of September than the Bruins. UCLA ranked 125th out of 129 teams last year in penalties incurred. That trend is going to continue with a young team learning new schemes. There will be inevitable growing pains for the team in Kelly’s first season, and part of that is going to be another month of flags raining onto the field.
