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UCLA football will be serious Pac-12 title contender in 2021

By Connor Muldowney

Dec 19, 2020; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (1) sets to throws a pass in the first half of the game against the Stanford Cardinal at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2020; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (1) sets to throws a pass in the first half of the game against the Stanford Cardinal at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 5, 2020; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive back Stephan Blaylock (4), defensive back Quentin Lake (37), and defensive back Mo Osling III (7) celebrate their win over the Arizona State Sun Devils 25-18 during a Pac-12 game at Sun Devil Stadium.Ncaa Football Ucla At Arizona State
Dec 5, 2020; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive back Stephan Blaylock (4), defensive back Quentin Lake (37), and defensive back Mo Osling III (7) celebrate their win over the Arizona State Sun Devils 25-18 during a Pac-12 game at Sun Devil Stadium.Ncaa Football Ucla At Arizona State /

Defense on the verge of a big season

When you think of Chip Kelly, the last thing that probably comes to mind is stingy defense. The offensive-minded head coach hasn’t exactly preached defense over his career, but Jerry Azzinaro has done an impressive job as his defensive coordinator at UCLA.

The defense has gotten a little better every season under Azzinaro and it could all come together nicely to create one of the best units in the Pac-12 in 2021.

In fact, the Bruins return 10 starters to the defensive side of the ball, led by former JUCO linebacker Caleb Johnson who led the team in sacks and tackles last season. He will be tasked with leading the Pac-12’s No. 6 total defense and seventh-best scoring defense from a year ago. The improvement seems inevitable.

UCLA is built for a strong season on this side of the ball, especially with every piece in the defensive backfield returning. That was the one weakness on the defensive side of the ball for the Bruins last season, but I expect the passing defense to make a huge leap in 2021.

The Bruins might not be Clemson or Alabama on defense, but they will take steps in the right direction this season with almost everyone back.

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