UCLA Football: 3 biggest 2021 offseason questions facing Bruins

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Dec 12, 2020; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (1) carries the ball in the second quarter against the Southern California Trojans at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Can the Bruins field one of the top offenses in the Pac-12?

The biggest concern for the Bruins going into the 2020 season was their efficiency and productivity of their offense. This was a concern for the Bruins having Chip Kelly establishing their offense and the utilization of highly productive players. In 2019, the Bruins’ offense ranked 79th in the nation in points per game (24.6), 66th in total yards (405.7) and 81st in rushing yards (150.2).

This season, the Bruins were much more efficient with their productivity and playmaking abilities. UCLA’s offense finished this season ranked 20th in the nation in points per game (35.4), 23rd in total yards (443.7) and 12th in rushing yards (230.6). This is as close as the productivity of the offense that Kelly had established with the Oregon Ducks.

One of the biggest differences is the impact of dual-threat quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who had two inefficient seasons with the Bruins in 2018 and 2019. Last season, he threw for 2,701 yards and 21 touchdowns but he also had 12 interceptions, a completion rate of 59.7 percent and a quarterback rating of 134.9.

In the five games he played in this season, he threw for 1,120 yards, 12 touchdowns, only four interceptions, and a quarterback rating of 156.3 on 90 completions (out of 138 passing attempts). He also rushed for 306 yards and three touchdowns on 55 carries.

The Bruins will be without running back Demetric Felton, who rushed for 668 yards and five touchdowns on 132 rushing attempts. They will return running back Brittain Brown, who rushed for 543 yards and four touchdowns on 81 carries.

UCLA will return all of its starting offensive linemen from this past season with three of them becoming juniors in 2021. They will need to be more efficient in keeping the quarterback from getting sacked as the Bruins have allowed 12 sacks in seven games this season.

There is reason to believe the young players for the Bruins have enough experience and confidence to have one of the best offenses in the Pac-12. They will be competing against some teams that are having to reload on the offensive side of the ball. The Bruins will have experience and momentum as they push towards becoming one of the top offenses in the Pac-12 and even the nation.

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