UCLA Football: Ranking Bruins’ 2020 opponents by toughness

Who could have expected Oregon State to have a pulse in 2019? Not me, but the rise of Jake Luton, Isaiah Hodgins and Artavis Pierce provided the Beavers five wins and nearly a bowl berth — a one-point loss at Washington State was the difference.

Jonathan Smith has the same record in his first two seasons (7-17) as Chip Kelly and that’s concerning for Bruins fans. UCLA wasn’t in as bad a place as Oregon State two years ago.

Oregon State will have to find a new quarterback and new top receivers but Jermar Jefferson is back at running back and the defense can only get better from its 108th national ranking with six starters back. This game in Corvallis will be tricker than people think.

Chris Petersen stepped down following the 2019 season which was a shock to many and gave way to Jimmy Lake who served as his defensive coordinator. Continuity remains.

Washington has been one of the best teams in the Pac-12 over the past five, or so, years and that figures to continue even with Jacob Eason, Salvon Ahmed, Hunter Bryant and Aaron Fuller gone. Jacob Sirmon is projected to win the starting quarterback job and the former blue-chip prospect will have plenty of talent around him.

If the Huskies can figure out the offensive side of the ball, there’s a good chance they can get back to being Pac-12 North favorites and potential College Football Playoff threats.