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UCLA Football: 5 reasons Bruins will beat Cincinnati in Week 1

By Dante Pryor

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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PROVO, UT – SEPTEMBER 17: A general view of a UCLA Bruins helmet during the game between the Bruins and the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
PROVO, UT – SEPTEMBER 17: A general view of a UCLA Bruins helmet during the game between the Bruins and the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

4. Bruins will be much-improved in the trenches

The Bruins were terrible on both the offensive and defensive lines last season.

In fact, the offensive line gave up 32 sacks last season, and the defensive line surrendered 200 yards rushing and almost three rushing touchdowns per game. The positive for their offensive line is that everyone comes back and that allows line coach Justin Fyre to coach up the same unit.

The numbers from last year suggest they have to get better, but they were pretty good run-blockers. Running back Joshua Kelley ran for over 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, but they have to do a better job of protecting true sophomore quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

The defensive line has to be better in Jerry Azzinaro’s 3-4 scheme. One positive are two 300-pounders to rotate at nose tackle in Martin Andurs and Anotnio Mafi. Those space-eaters are going to have to keep their linebackers clean because Cincinnati is coming to run the football — a lot.

They are going to have to find a pass rush to neutralize Desmond Ridder as well. There should be some improvement along both lines in the second season in Chip Kelly’s program, and we should see it in this game.

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