2010 NCAA Football Preview: UCLA Bruins
It has been some time since the UCLA Bruins have done well in the Pac-10. Since coach Bob Toledo led the team to an undefeated conference record in 1998, a 10-2 record overall, a Rose Bowl bid, and a second consecutive top 10 finish, the Bruins have not managed to place better than third in the conference.
Karl Dorrell gave the school its closest chance in 2005 when it went 6-2 in conference play, good enough for 3rd; the team would go on to finish the season 10-2, win the Sun Bowl, and finish in the top 25 for the first time since 1998. Following two lackluster seasons that saw the Bruins finish with 5-4 conference records both seasons, the school decided it was time for a change.
Then came coach Rick Neuheisel. Neuheisel had done good work while at another Pac-10 school, something which the Bruin faithful hoped he would do for their school. The Bruins have improved since Neuheisel took over. In his first season, they were 4-8 overall and failed to play in a bowl game for the first time since 2001. His second year also saw a marked improvement as the team improved to 7-6 and returned to postseason play, defeating Temple in the Eagle Bank Bowl.
After two seasons of going 3-6 in Pac-10 play under Neuheisel, it may be time for him to produce some results or start working on his resume once again.
Offence
Neuheisel will have to replace some key members of his offence and hope that they can gel with the returning starters before they get to the meat of their schedule. The team plays Kansas State in the first week, but then five of the next six opponents are legitimate top 25 contenders.
He will need Kevin Prince to build off the experience he got last year as a freshman. In 2009, Prince played in all but two games throwing for just over 2000 yards, eight touchdowns, and eight interceptions. At 6 foot 2 and 229 pounds, he has the frame to be a good quarterback. Neuheisel and the Bruins faithful are hoping that Prince will replicate performances like he had against Pac-10 opponents California, Oregon State, and Washington State (311, 323, and 314 yards passing respectively).
Prince should get better protection from his line this season (74th in sacks allowed; 5th in the conference). Four of five returning starters return and with experience should be improved play. If they do then Prince could end up being the first Bruins quarterback to throw for more than 2400 yards or 11 touchdowns since 2005. With a bevy of talented wide receivers, all he needs is the time to find them. It would also help if the team could get better production out of running back Jonathan Franklin (566 yards on 126 carries).
Defence
The defence was not bad in 2009 as the Bruins ranked 32nd overall in the nation and 3rd in the conference. However, the 2010 season will have to deal with losing most of the front seven in order to become more competitive in a tough conference.
The secondary was the strength of the unit last season and will be the strength going forward into 2010 as well. Free safety Rahim Moore returns to lead the 28th ranked pas defense; Moore led the nation in interceptions with 10 (in 2009). Aaron Hester will be the newcomer to the squad, but would have actually been a starter last season if he had not fractured his leg early in the season.
Leading the front seven will be Akeem Ayers and end Datone Jones. Both had solid seasons in 2009 and have the potential to earn all-conference honors in 2010. A pair of juniors has been penciled in to join Ayers at linebacker, Steve Sloan and Sean Westgate. Sloan did not play in 2009 and Westgate made 16 tackles in limited playing time.
The team will play the best offence in the nation in week two, the Houston Cougars. If they can at least slow the fast paced Cougars down a little then there may be hope for the Bruins going forward in 2010.
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