2008 UCLA Bruins Football Predictions

The homecoming of first year head coach Rick Neuheisel has energized the UCLA fans, but they may have to wait a few seasons before they are ready to play a home game at the Rose Bowl in January. A Labor Day national television opener against Tennessee followed by a road trip to BYU is no cake walk to start the season. Find out where Jimmy Boyd has the Bruins fitting into the Pac-10 picture in his 2008 UCLA Bruins predictions and season preview. The Bruins are listed at 8-1 odds at Sportsbook.com to win the Pac-10 Conference.
 

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Offense

2007 was a tough year for the offense which ranked a dismal 99th in the country. An underachieving season was closed out by a 17-point loss to rival USC and a 1-point dagger of a defeat to BYU in the Las Vegas Bowl. The hire of offensive coordinator Norm Chow is perhaps more significant than that of Rick Neuheisel, but Chow will have his work cut out for himself. Starting QB Patrick Cowan is done for the year after tearing his ACL. Backup Ben Olson then broke his right foot late in spring practice and was schedule to miss two months of training. Junior College transfer Kevin Craft is next on the depth chart. The line only returns one starter, left tackle Micah Kia. It took a huge hit when right tackle Aleksey Lanis decided to call it quits because of chronic knee pain. This is what the damage really looks like: eight of UCLA's top 10 offensive lineman did not play a single down on the line in 2007. Both of UCLA's top tailbacks, Kahlil Bell and Raymond Carter are coming off of reconstructive knee surgery. Marcus Everett, Terrence Austin, and Dominique Johnson lead the receiving corps. If UCLA is in search for more big play ability, 6'4'' freshman Nelson Rosario could get a chance.

Defense

Renowned defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker has his work cut out for him also as he must replace six starters including All-American defensive end Bruce Davis. UCLA was tough on the run last season, ranking 14th in the nation, and it should be able to post solid numbers again with tackles Brian Pierce and Brigham Harwell clogging the middle. Reggie Carter will move to the middle linebacker position and call the defensive signals. This kid loves to hit and should be poised for a good season. Korey Bosworth and Tom Blake return as starting defensive ends, but they will be pushed by incoming freshman Datone Jones and Damien Holmes. The talented Alterraun Verner is the only returning starter in the secondary. UCLA was torched last season through the air, allowing 234.1 yards per game, and it is going to be hard for the Bruins to stop good passing attacks again, especially when their tough run defense encourages the pass.

Special Teams

Kai Forbath is another one of the talented field goal kickers in the Pac-10. He was 25 of 30 on field goal attempts last season and a perfect five of five from 50 yards and beyond. I'd say this kid has a NFL leg. UCLA will miss kick returner Matt Slater who returned three kickoffs for touchdowns last season. He was the offensive spark when the Bruins could find none.

Prediction – 5th Pac-10

UCLA appears on the bowl fence in Rick Neuheisel's first year. If he can change last season's 6-7 record into a 7-6 mark, he will have done a fantastic job. With questions at QB, on the offensive line, and with depth issues everywhere, fifth place is the best that can be expected as they can't compete with California, Oregon, or Arizona State. BodogLife.com has listed UCLA at 35-1 odds to win the 2009 BCS Championship.

Check out all of Jimmy Boyd's 2008 college football predictions to see who he likes to win all of the BCS conference this season. If you're looking for a hit to land a futures bet on who you think will win the BCS title game, Boyd's predictions will give you the best background info to help you make an educated guess. Right now, it looks like Georgia, Ohio State, Oklahoma, and USC will be tough to beat.

July 10th, 2008