The past two days we have been looking at the depth chart and how it is expected to shake out by the time the season rolls around.

Today, it is prediction time. Now that we know whom we will be relying on this year, we can now look and see how it will effect our season.

UCLA has one of the toughest schedules in all of college football this season, so while everyone is hoping for a huge step forward, because of the schedule, it might be a little unrealistic to expect a national championship this year.

Week 1 – @ Kansas State 9/4 ABC

The Bruins start the season off with a nationally televised game against a smash-mouth Kansas State team. Coach Bill Snyder took a bad team last year to a 6-6 record. While not terribly scary the Bruins do have to watch out for stud Daniel Thomas. He played well against the Bruins last year, but the team around him was not good enough to help him out.

Under Neuheisel the Bruins have looked good in season openers and I think this is no exception. I think the offense looks good against a bad defense and the UCLA comes away a winner 38-14.

Week 2 – Stanford 9/11 ESPN

The first real test for UCLA comes in week two. However, the same could be said about Stanford. The Cardinal are coming into this season without Toby Gerhart, the all-world running back who killed nearly everyone in the Pac 10 last year. They do however return Andrew Luck who many see as a Heisman candidate in his own right, and a possible No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft this upcoming year.

On defense the Cardinal are switching from a 4-3 to a 3-4 and in many cases, that first year of transition can be tough. Throw in a secondary who was not very good last year, and the Bruins receivers should be licking their chops.

I think the Bruins sneak one out against Stanford 31-28.

Week 3 – Houston 9/18 FSN

If you haven’t heard the name Case Keenum, be prepared to hear it a lot this year. He is a legit Heisman Trophy candidate after his season last year where he threw over 5,000 yards and 44 touchdowns. However, he can’t do it alone. Houston lost its top running back to injury this spring and is also making the transition to a 3-4 defense.

If watching Washington last year has taught us anything, it is that just because a team has an all-everything quarterback doesn’t mean the team is capable of winning. UCLA improves to 3-0 with a 28-17 win.

Week 4 – @ Texas 9/25 ABC

So UCLA has looked good so far this season, but Texas is a whole other animal. It is worth mentioning that the last time the Bruins played in Austin it wasn’t even a contest, the Bruins took the Longhorns to the woodshed, winning 66-3. Unless there is some sort of miracle, I don’t see a repeat performance by the Bruins.

Texas is coming off a season where they played for the BCS title. However, they will be relying upon first time starter Garret Gilbert who is following the storied career of Colt McCoy. Gilbert will be a good one, but I am not convinced he is there yet. I also think they Bruins aren’t going to be intimidated going to Austin. I think they keep it close, but lose to a superior athletic team 38-28.

Week 5 – Washington State 10/2 Prime Ticket

Finally, a game for the Bruins that isn’t a test. Let me just say that Washington State is bad. Really bad. Yes there are a few nice pieces to the puzzle in the great white north, but they are not a threat this year.

Bruins win handily 52-3.

Week 6 – @ CAL 10/9 TBD

Cal is my dark horse candidate to win the Pac 10. They return 20 starters from a team that won eight games. Shane Vereen comes into the season as one of the better running backs in the conference. The Golden Bears just need to stay healthy and avoid the annual Cal Collapse.

UCLA hasn’t won in Berkley since 1998. I have a hard time thinking that changes this year. I think Cal comes away with this one 35-17 in the first real blow out the Bruins suffer.

Week 8 - @ Oregon 10/21 (Thu) ESPN

The Bruins have a few things working in their favor for the week eight matchup against the reigning conference champs. First, they get a week off to get healthy and game plan after a difficult game in Berkley. Second, the Bruins have been historically good against the Ducks. Lastly, the Ducks come into this season with a huge question mark at QB. Jeremiah Masoli is gone and coach Chip Kelly has to rely on Nate Costa, who has struggled with injuries and Derron Thomas who is unproven.

I think the Bruins lose a heart breaker here. The Oregon running game proves too much for the Bruins and the offensive line for UCLA has breakdowns due to crowd noise. 35-31 Oregon.

Week 9 – Arizona 10/30 TBD

The Bruins return home eager to get back in the win column and the rebuilding Arizona defense is just what Dr. Neuheisel ordered. The Wildcats have to replace seven starters on defense this year. Yes, they do return Nick Foles who had success last season. However, Foles can be erratic at times and doesn’t throw the most accurate ball.

I think Rahim Moore has a huge game in a win for the Bruins. Moore picks off three errant balls by Foles and returns two for touchdowns. The Bruins look as good as they have all season and win easily 42-17.

Week 10 – Oregon State 11/6 TBD

Oregon State is the perfect test for UCLA. Oregon State is a great team, with a great coach, and a Heisman trophy candidate. If the Beavers can find consistent quarterback play, they will be in the discussion for Pac 10 champions.

By week 10 of the season, UCLA is starting to grow into a great team. Prince is starting to look like the guy who can lead this team. The running game is starting to click. The defense has melded into a cohesive unit. The offensive line is blocking. Everything is starting to click. Bruins get over the hump and become bowl eligible with a great team win over the Beavers 24-14.

Week 13 – @ Washington 11/18 (Thu) ESPN

Rick Neuheisel returns to the school that he led to a Rose Bowl win in 2001. Now, it is no secret that Steve Sarkisian is waking up the sleeping giant that is Washington football. Jake Locker has suffered from the Toby Gerhart syndrome (the only great player on a crappy team) for much of his college career. This year however, the Huskies are winning games they should win and are bowl eligible for the first time in Locker’s career.

With the Heisman hype in full effect, Locker carries the Huskies to a win over the Bruins in front of a hostile crowd that is looking for Neuheisel’s blood. This game is the start of a great rivalry between Sarkisian and Neuheisel over the future of the conference. Huskies win this round, but the war is far from over. 35-31 Washington.

Week 14 – @ Arizona State 11/26 (Fri) FSN

Arizona State has one of the best defenses in the Pac 10. But their offense could use some work. They get some needed help at quarterback this year with the transfer of former Michigan quarterback Steven Threet, but they are still not there yet.

The Bruins win a defensive struggle 17-6.

Week 15 – USC 12/4 TBD

Two years ago, a UCLA marketing group printed a full-page ad in the LA Times stating that the Football monopoly in Los Angeles was over. Two years of recruiting, strength and conditioning, and playbook implementation make this the year the Bruins need to prove it on the field.

The sanctions against USC have caused an upheaval across town and it is difficult for the Trojans to really care at this point of the season. However, because of the struggles they have faced this season, a win against UCLA would ravage much of the work the Bruins staff has put in over the past few years and prove that USC is still USC.

This game has a vintage UCLA – USC game feel to it. Two good teams trading body blows. Unlike the 2006 game where UCLA beat USC with defense, the Bruins rack up more yards then they have against the Trojans in a long time. All-American Kai Forbath hits a game winning field goal as time expires. Bruins 38-Trojans 35.

Bruins finish the season 8-4 and on they’re way to a good bowl game.

With only three graduating seniors the Bruins have laid the groundwork to contend for a national championship in 2011.

Yesterday we looked at the offense for the Bruins and how I think it will all shake out by the time the season starts.

Today we are going to look at the defense.

Last year the defense was experienced and had heart. This year, what the unit lacks in experience it makes up for with talent and speed. This may be the fastest defense in the history of UCLA football. Now it will be the coaching staff’s job to get that speed to translate on the field.



Defensive End:

Left end:
1. Datone Jones Junior
2. Owamagbe Odighizuwa Freshman
3. Reggie Stokes RS Senior

Right end:
1. Damien Holmes RS Sophomore OR
2. Keenan Graham RS Freshman
3. Iuta Tepa Sophomore
4. Derrick Bryant Freshman

Datone Jones is ready to break out. This will be his third year starting in the program and by all accounts, he has the strength and size to be a legitimate defensive end in the Pac 10.

Owa is a freak. Pure and simple, he is an all-American in the making and will be pushing for playing time immediately. He could start at right end from day one, but I think he is the heir apparent to Jones.

Damien Holmes has a good motor but needs to play stronger than he did last year. Keenan Graham is the fastest defensive end and by all means would have pushed for playing time last year had it not been for a broken jaw just before the season started. He will be a terror off the edge and had a chance to be the first Bruin to record double-digit sacks since Bruce Davis.

Reggie Stokes shouldn’t be much of a factor this year; he will mainly be relied upon to provide depth. Tepa has a chance to get some playing time; he was just too weak as a freshman last year to do anything spectacular. Derrick Bryant will be a good player in time; he just needs some seasoning and will likely redshirt this year.



Defensive Tackle:
1. David Carter RS Senior
2. Nate Chandler RS Junior
3. Cassius Marsh Freshman
4. Justin Edison RS Junior
5. Donovon Carter RS Sophomore
6. Sealii Epenesa Freshman
7. Andy Keane RS Senior
8. Wesley Flowers Freshman

Replacing Brian Price won't be possible. Now with that being said, the Bruins have decided that speed at defensive tackle will be the best way to combat the loss of the Pac 10 defensive player of the year.

David Carter has never been a starter before, but as a back up last year he showed that he is capable of being a good defensive tackle. Now with an offseason under his belt, he should be an all-conference type player.

Nate Chandler may have finally found a position. After bouncing back and forth between offensive tackle and tight end, he will be given every chance to get a lot of playing time as defensive tackle. Chandler is now up to 290 lbs and apparently still runs in the 4.6 range 40-yard dash. That is terrifying if he can translate that on the field.

Cassius Marsh will be an all-American during his time at UCLA and will get plenty of playing time as a freshman. Justin Edison finally has enough weight on him to see the playing field, but it remains to be seen if he can play.

Donovon Carter is a former outside linebacker who has put on enough weight to get some time. If he was able to keep his linebacker speed he could be difficult to block inside. Sealii Epenesa will be a run-stuffing machine when he sees the field. He will likely redshirt this year, but his 320 lbs body will be ready to play once called upon.

If Andy Keane is on the field it will be bad news for the Bruins. If we are relying on him there are much bigger problems with the program. Wesley Flowers is not nearly ready, unless he is competing in a Whoopi Goldberg look-a-like contest. He will redshirt and need to put on a lot of weight if he is ever going to get playing time.



Linebacker

Strong side
1. Akeem Ayers RS Junior
2. Isaiah Bowens RS Freshman
3. Aramide Olaniyan Freshman

Middle
1. Patrick Larimore RS Sophomore OR
2. Steve Sloan Junior
3. Todd Golper RS Freshman
4. Jordan Zumwalt Freshman
5. Eric Kendricks Freshman

Weak side
1. Glenn Love RS Junior OR
2. Sean Westgate Junior
3. Jared Koster Freshman
4. Anthony Barr Freshman *

Akeem Ayers is an all-American and Pac 10 defensive player of the year candidate. It is likely that this is his last season in Westwood. He has first round talent and has finally put it all together. It will be up to the coaching staff to find an heir to Ayers because soon we will be missing him.

Isaiah Bowens could be that guy. He is raw as far as football goes. He has only been playing for a few years but his athleticism is great and he has put on enough weight that he passes the eyeball test. But Aramide Olaniyan will factor into that position as well. Olaniyan has the look and mentality of a future captain at UCLA. He may need to redshirt to put on weight but when he finally does play, he will be one for the ages.

At the middle linebacker I hope that Patrick Larimore can win the starting job over Steve Sloan. Larimore is the right kind of crazy to be a linebacker. Last year during a practice he hit someone so hard that he bent his facemask. I want someone like that leading my defense.

Todd Golper and Jordan Zumwalt will likely have to battle for the starting job later in their careers and that will be a position battle to watch for the future. Zumwalt will likely redshirt along with Eric Kendricks, who is not someone to sleep on.

The weak side position is up for grabs. Glenn Love moved to linebacker from safety and I hope he wins the job. He has a linebacker body and likes to hit. His speed is also a big plus. Sean Westgate has the heart of a lion but the body of a mouse. I love him on special teams but I just don’t see him holding up as an every down linebacker.

Jared Koster was a late addition to the roster. He greyshirted last year and has impressed the coaches in his short time on campus. Anthony Barr is currently on the offensive side of the ball, but it is possible that he could move to defense and be used as either a linebacker or a safety.



Cornerback
1. Sheldon Price Sophomore
2. Aaron Hester RS Sophomore
3. Andrew Abbot RS Sophomore
4. Courtney Viney RS Junior
5. Anthony Jefferson Freshman
6. Marlon Pollard RS Freshman
7. Tevin McDonald Freshman
8. Brandon Sermons Sophomore **

Suddenly Neuheisel doesn’t look as foolish for throwing Sheldon Price to the fire. Now he has a cornerback with lots of game experience who will step in nicely for the legendary Alterraun Verner. Aaron Hester is also a great prospect who would have started had it not been for an injury last year.

Andrew Abbot and Courtney Viney will likely battle for the nickel corner position. They are both gifted players but I think the edge goes to Abbot because Viney is 5’8’’ and the Bruins like big corners.

Anthony Jefferson will likely redshirt, but he was a great pick up by Neuheisel who will be the next great shut down corner at UCLA. Marlon Pollard has apparently been turning heads this summer and could work his way into the rotation.

Tevin McDonald has a safeties body, but will likely redshirt because unless injuries force him into action, he will likely not get much run this year. Brandon Sermons broke his leg during a non-contact drill this spring and will redshirt this year while he is recovering.



Safety

Free Safety
1. Rahim Moore Junior
2. Dalton Hilliard Sophomore
3. Dietrich Riley Freshman
4. Alex Mascarenas RS Freshman

Strong Saftey
1. Tony Dye Junior
2. Stan McKay RS Freshman
3. Anthony Barr Freshman

Rahim Moore led the NCAA in interceptions last year with 10. His ball skills are unparalleled in college football. With another good season it is possible that he could take his talent to the NFL. If that is the case Dalton Hilliard will be ready to step in. Hilliard is a big hitter who formerly played running back in high school, so he has some ball skills.

Dietrich Riley will see the playing field in some capacity this season. He is too talented and too important a recruit to not see the field. If that is not on defense he could be relied upon to return kicks or even a little bit on offense out of the Wildcat.

Alex Mascarenas will likely only be a special teams guy.

At strong safety Stan McKay will push Tony Dye for his starting job, but I think Dye’s experience will allow him to keep the job. McKay will, however, be a great safety at UCLA. This year he may only be used situationally and for special teams, but he will be successful when he finally gets his chance.

Anthony Barr could be an interesting prospect at safety. He has a similar build to Taylor Mays the former USC all-American.

Check back tomorrow for pre-fall camp season predictions.

With fall camp two weeks away, I figured it was time to dust off the football blog and do a little preview of the upcoming season in a few parts.

Part one will be examining the offensive depth chart with the addition of the freshman, part two will do the same, but with the defense, and part three will be prediction time.

So if you have been following the Bruins since the days of Cade McNoun you may have noticed that the offensive side of the ball has been pretty hit or miss due to the lack of a consistently good quarterback or a decent offensive line.

While I am not ready to say those woes will end this year, there should be marked improvement from last year’s squad.

Quarterback:

1. Kevin Prince RS Sophomore
2. Darius Bell Sophomore OR
3. Richard Brehaut Sophomore
4. Nick Crissman RS Sophomore

Looking at the quarterback position, Kevin Prince will be the quarterback at UCLA until he graduates, it is just that simple. Last year Prince was very inconsistent. One good half followed by a bad one. But what needs to be understood about last year was that Prince was playing in his first live action football in nearly two years. He lost most of his senior year to a knee injury and then redshirted his first year on campus.

I think Prince will cement himself as a top five conference quarterback this year. He has added weight to help prevent injury and he is a lot more athletic than people give him credit for.

Backing up Prince will either be new transfer Darius Bell, younger brother of former Bruin Kahlil, or Richard Brehaut. Ideally the Bruins would like Bell to come in and lock up the back up position and allow Brehaut to redshirt. It’s not a great thing to have four scholarship quarterbacks on the roster that are all the same class.

Bell is the definition of a dual threat. He went to the same JC as former Oregon QB Jeremiah Masoli and put up great numbers last year. With the newly installed “Revolver” Bell should thrive in certain situations.

Tailback

1. Malcolm Jones Freshman OR
2. Jonathan Franklin RS Sophomore OR
3. Derrick Coleman Junior
4. Jordan James Freshman
5. Anthony Barr Freshman *

The running game is where the Bruins have really struggled under Rick Neuheisel, but that appears to be in the past with the added talent to the Roster. Malcolm Jones was named Gatorade National Player of the Year last year. He has the talent to come in and start immediately and be a player who demands 25-30 carries a game. He is the best pure running back talent since Deshaun Foster.

Jonathan Franklin had a decent year last year, but struggled with holding onto the football. If he can cure his fumbleitis, he could be a good back. Derrick Coleman is a power back who, in his time at UCLA, has constantly been knocked backwards. This is the year for him to prove he deserves to stay at the tailback position or move to another position.

The other two freshmen coming in are the speedster Jordan James and the versatile Anthony Barr. James could be a great compliment to Jones, but I think he will end up redshirting this year. Barr is projected at a lot of different positions but he is listed as a tailback on the roster right now. However he is 6’5’’ and weights 228 lbs. A little big for tailback, if you ask me. I would like to see Barr on defense but his ball skills are good enough that he could stick around at the new F-back position.

“F-back”

1. Morrell Presley Sophomore OR
2. Christian Ramirez RS Senior OR
3. Damien Thigpen Sophomore OR
4. Jayson Allmond RS Freshman
5. Anthony Barr Freshman *
6. Tobi Umodu RS Senior

The F-back in Norm Chow’s dream. Basically it is a position where you try to get as many mismatches as possible. Between Presley, Ramirez, Thigpen, and Allmond no two guys are alike. You have a tight end/h-back/wide out, a powerback, a scat-back, and a beastly fullback. It is going to be a nightmare to gameplan against the Bruins for this position alone.

Barr has apparently been working out at f-back and has looked very good at the position, so I could see him sticking here.

Wide receivers

1. Nelson Rosario Junior
2. Taylor Embree Junior
3. Josh Smith RS Junior
4. Randall Carroll Sophomore
5. Jerry Johnson RS Sophomore
6. Ricky Marvray RS Freshman
7. Jerry Rice Jr. RS Freshman

The wide receiver position at UCLA is by far the most talented position on the team and could rank up with the top units in the country. Nelson Rosario is a star in the making. His 6’5” frame makes him a huge target for Prince and his leaping ability make him nearly impossible to cover.

Taylor Embree is a very technically sound receiver who always seems to find holes in zone defenses. He won’t wow anyone, but he will be a great target. Josh Smith is the playmaker of the unit. He is the all-time all-purpose yard leader at Colorado, where he spent his first two years. Get ready to hold your breath when he has the ball in his hands.

Randall Carroll and Jerry Johnson are two guys who have all the skills, but for whatever reason it just hasn’t clicked with them yet. Carroll was the fastest sprinter in California a year and a half ago, so if he can figure out the mental part, he could be an all-American in the making.

Ricky Marvray and Jerry Rice Jr. are two guys who make the most out of the skills they have. They are the hard working guys who don’t possess the natural skill as some of the other guys, but they just seem to want it more. Both could be relied upon in situations this year.

Tight End

1. Joseph Fauria RS Sophomore OR
2. Cory Harkey Junior
3. Morrell Presley Sophomore
4. John Young Freshman

Another reason why Prince could make a leap this year is the addition of former High School teammate Joseph Fauria. Fauria’s 6’8’’ frame makes him a huge target for Prince to find. Cory Harkey is a prototypical tight end. Harkey is a good blocker who can also catch the ball consistently. Presley could see some snaps at tight end but he will mostly be used as an f-back. John Young will likely redshirt and could possibly be moved to offensive line if he puts on enough weight.

Offensive line

Left Tackle

1. Micah Kia RS Senior OR
2. Sean Sheller RS Senior
3. Brett Downey RS Sophomore

Left Guard

1. Jeff Baca Junior
2. Chris Ward Freshman
3. Casey Griffiths Sophomore

Center

1. Kai Maiava RS Junior
2. Ryan Taylor RS Senior

Right Guard

1. Eddie Williams RS Senior
2. Greg Capella RS Freshman
3. Darius Savage RS Senior
4. Stan Hasiak Sophomore **

Right Tackle

1. Mike Harris RS Junior
2. Wade Yandell Freshman
3. Kody Innes Freshman

The offensive line is the murkiest position on offense. While there is plenty of starting experience, there is not a ton of success in that experience. Plus there was a lot of attrition this offseason. The Bruins lost freshman all-American Xavier Su’a-filo who would have started at left tackle for the second straight year. Stan Hasiak who had a rough year last year with off the field issues was ruled academically ineligible last week and will spend this year redshirting and working with scout team. Lastly, Nick Abele, who was expected to compete for a starting spot this year, had to retire due to health issues with his neck.

Now despite those losses, the Bruins should have a better line this year than last. Mike Harris, Kai Maiava, and Jeff Baca have all been anchors of the line for the past two seasons. Eddie Williams was a stud at right guard before breaking his foot and missing the end of the season. Micah Kia is a team captain and should be healthy after blowing out his knee last year, but if not Sheller is back and healthy and should be a steady back up at the very least.

Chris Ward and Wade Yandell could both compete for spots in the two deeps this fall. Both guys show that Neuheisel is making a concerted effort to increase talent on the line, and starting next year, the line could be a strong point of the team.

Stay tuned tomorrow for an update on the defensive side of the ball.