UCLA Football: Will Bruins live up to lofty potential in 2019?

NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 08: Head coach Chip Kelly of the UCLA Bruins during the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Bruins 49-21. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 08: Head coach Chip Kelly of the UCLA Bruins during the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Bruins 49-21. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
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UCLA football has a high ceiling in Chip Kelly’s second season running the program. Can the Bruins live up to their potential in 2019?

In Chip Kelly’s first season as the head coach of the UCLA Bruins, things didn’t go exactly as planned. They started off the year winless through their first five games. Eventually, they won two games in the middle of the season and with a handful of close losses, the Bruins finished 3-9.

On the bright side, Kelly won his first rivalry game against their crosstown foe USC. Any coach who can consistently win rivalry games is OK in the fanbase’s book. If he can continue to top USC, his leash will be lengthened in Los Angeles.

After a full year of recruiting and a complete offseason, it’s reasonable to assume that Kelly will have UCLA in a much better position entering the 2019 season. He proved to be one of the best recruiters and had the best eye for talent when he was at Oregon and fans are just hoping that carries over to UCLA.

Furthermore, starting sophomore quarterback, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, will be his second season under center for the Bruins.

Let’s take a more in-depth look at the UCLA offense, defense, and general outlook on the 2019 schedule.