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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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PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 17: Joshua Kelley #27 of the UCLA Bruins runs during the second quarter against the USC Trojans at Rose Bowl on November 17, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 17: Joshua Kelley #27 of the UCLA Bruins runs during the second quarter against the USC Trojans at Rose Bowl on November 17, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

3. Bruins will play with better offensive balance

Dorian Thompson-Robinson played in last year’s game and was a non-factor. He didn’t turn the ball over, but he didn’t make any plays either.

The Bruins’ run game was pedestrian last year as well with the lion’s share of their yards coming on one long run. This season should be different. First, Joshua Kelley should get more than six carries this year now that the staff knows what it has in him.

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Second, Dorian Thompson-Robinson in the undisputed starting quarterback for the Bruins this year, and that counts for a lot. He doesn’t have to worry about looking over his shoulder or having a short leash this season. He’s had all the first-team reps, and should have command of the offense.

He’ll also have two of his top three receivers to throw to back this season in Caleb Wilson and Theo Howard.

Thompson-Robinson will have more read-option responsibilities this season as well. This is a matchup nightmare for the Bearcats since you can’t key in on Thompson-Robinson or Kelley. This hinges entirely on the play of the offensive line.

If star recruit Sean Rhyan is everything he’s supposed to be at tackle and the rest of the line grows around him, it should be difficult for the Bearcats to make the Bruins one-dimensional.

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