In Chip Kelly’s maiden game at the helm, the UCLA Bruins played reasonably well and lost to Cincinnati 26-17. It looked – and felt – like a pretty decent start.
Who would have thought it would be the last competitive game Kelly’s team would play against a contender for a while.
Cincy turned out to be no slouch, of course. And UCLA began to get it together by the end of the season. The Bearcats return an imposing defense, creating a racecar vs snow-plow scenario for a late-August rematch in 2019.
Who: UCLA Bruins at Cincinnati Bearcats
When: Thursday, August 29th, 7 PM EST
Where: Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
Lines: UCLA (+4) at Cincy (-4) / O/U Total: (60)
We’re supposed to begin with UCLA, the Power-5 school with the ex-NFL coach. But what if that kind of hype-first POV has affected the point spreads in opening CFB action? After all, Hawaii is a whopping (+13) underdog against the Pac-12’s Arizona Wildcats despite Cole MacDonald being much farther-along as a QB than visiting Khalil Tate.
That kind of point spread only comes about when speculators begin and end with the Power-5 opponent and treat the Group-of-5 opponent like an afterthought. Let’s not make that mistake today.
Cincinnati’s linebacking corps is fantastic, led by senior Perry Young. The defensive line is the only real area of potential concern on an otherwise-dynamite D that could shine in the ACC, not just the AAC. Quarterback Desmond Ridder is still up and coming.
I’ve actually been considering the 6-to-1 futures line on the Bearcats to win the American, thanks to the early-October timing and home-field advantage of the UCF-at-Cincy game. Cincinnati’s fearsome defense is of the sort that might just stuff a Wimbush-led rushing attack and allow its offense to take advantage of any lack of chemistry on the opposing side. Get through a tough division, and there could be clearer skies in the title scrum…unless Houston’s new-coach honeymoon period makes the Cougars hard for anyone in the FBS to defend in December.
But this is the here and now – and the squad’s ability to rush the pocket quickly and in a disciplined fashion will be highly important in an opener against the no-huddle Bruins.
Phil Neuffer of Down The Drive previews a D-line that will anchor a vaunted AAC defense again this season:
For this year’s defensive line to succeed, they’ll need to learn from stars of the past, including Cortez Broughton, Marquise Copeland and Kimoni Fitz. All three had pretty phenomenal years as seniors. Broughton amassed 17.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks during an all-American Athletic Conference first team campaign. It was easily the best season of his UC career and played no small part in getting him drafted into the NFL. Copeland and Fitz didn’t get drafted but both are getting a shot at the next level and considering that they combined for 16.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks last season — not to mention that they both earned second-team all-AAC honors — that makes all the sense in the world.
In addition to the departure of Broughton, Copeland and Fitz, Zane Wilson is no longer on the roster after his freshman season in 2018. Starting with the JACK position, which is tasked with really putting an emphasis on rushing the passer, the top returning player is Michael Pitts, who had 7.5 tackles for loss and four sacks last season. Although everyone on the line will be asked to create pressure, the Bearcats will really look to Pitts along with linebacker Bryan Wright to lead the charge.
By the way, JACK is essentially a pass-rushing ‘backer who can line up in a 3-point stance before the snap. No word on whether the QB is called “Jill” in a JACK defensive schedule, but JACK’s job would definitely entail snagging UCLA signal-caller Dorian Thompson-Robinson in holy matrimony, er, headlock.
Chip Kelly’s maiden squad in the City of Angels only went 3-9, and Kelly only landed the 6th-ranked recruiting class in the Pac-12, tempering theories about NFL-pedigree coaches having the best hand in all college recruitment.
But make no mistake – the coach still possesses elite talent at getting a rapid-fire offense cranked up. He’ll have some weapons at his disposal in ’19 – Thompson-Robinson has had a chance to recover from nagging injuries and RB Joshua Kelley is a dynamic threat in the backfield, accounting for 1,243 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in ’18.
5’10” junior defensive back Darnay Holmes leads a talented secondary.
UCLA should be raised to at least a level of competency in the Pac-12 this season. By the end of August, defenses will be settled-in and manage a fair fight against quality QBs. I can imagine a lot of gamblers taking the Under (60) on that basis as the kickoff in Ohio approaches.
But I’m liking Ridder and the Bearcats to dismiss the Bruins, finishing 4 quarters with at least a 7 or 10-point differential thanks to a late turnover from Kelly’s offense.