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

By Gavin Jernigan

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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BERKELEY, CA – OCTOBER 13: Keisean Lucier-South #11 of the UCLA Bruins is congratulated by teammates after he interecepted a pass against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
BERKELEY, CA – OCTOBER 13: Keisean Lucier-South #11 of the UCLA Bruins is congratulated by teammates after he interecepted a pass against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Question marks on defense

Chip Kelly isn’t necessarily known for his past teams’ stout defenses. This UCLA team will likely not be known for its defense, either. However, that doesn’t mean the Bruins will bad, by any means.

Frankly, the rest of the Pac-12 isn’t particularly scary on offense. A few of the high-powered offenses that the Bruins will play include Cincinnati, Oklahoma, Washington State and Utah. Only two of those teams are in the Pac-12 and Washington State has still yet to name a quarterback to fill Gardner Minshew’s vacancy.

Many of these teams have strong passing games, which conveniently is where the Bruins have the highest potential for defensive success. The defensive backs highlight the UCLA defense. Quentin Lake, Darnay Holmes and Elijah Gates have proven themselves as capable leaders of the secondary and are set to have a big year.

It will be up to the unproven defensive line to fill the gaps to stop the run while also putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

The UCLA defense is without a doubt the biggest question mark heading into the 2019 season. Their success will be what will keep the Bruins in tight games, and ultimately, have a chance to win many of the games that are considered to be “toss-ups”.

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