Is UCLA a NC contender this year?

HeretoBeatmyChest · June 2015

2012- 9-5, #30, #5 class stars per player
2013- 10-3, #8, #10 class stars per player
2014- 10-3, #14, #2 class stars per player

UCLA returns 18/22 starters and 2/2 on special teams and brings in the #2 class in stars per player.

They don't play Oregon. Tough games are @Stanford, @Arizona, @Utah, @USC, vs. ASU.

If they beat Stanford, who they've really struggled with under Mora, they could be 10-0 heading into their last two on the road, Utah and USC.

By the time they play USC, they may already have the South wrapped up.

UCLA has a good chance to win the conference and therefore make the playoff.

RaccoonHarry · June 2015

Not with a true freshman QB, they're not...

BallSacked · June 2015

All depends on QB play. Rosen blew people away in spring, most say he's way beyond where Hundley was in the spring of his RS Frosh year. I think Tom Bradley from pedo state will be a huge upgrade as well. Over/Under for me is 9.5.

Dennis_DeYoung · June 2015

No.

Gladstone · June 2015

Of course not lol

HeretoBeatmyChest · June 2015

BallSacked said:
All depends on QB play. Rosen blew people away in spring, most say he's way beyond where Hundley was in the spring of his RS Frosh year. I think Tom Bradley from pedo state will be a huge upgrade as well. Over/Under for me is 9.5.

I don't think Hundley was that great. He really struggled against the best teams.

Even if Rosen is only okay, I think this is the best team Mora has had at UCLA.

haie · June 2015

I think they'll at least win the South. Probably lose to Stanford again but destroy Arizona, ASU, and USC all the same. Utah could contend but I'd take UCLA in their matchup, even on the road.

NeGgaPlEaSe · June 2015

RaccoonHarry said:
Not with a true freshman QB, they're not...

Neu looked better at the spring game, he's not a true frosh. All he has to do is make a third down pass, not turn the ball over, which he has done all his career and keep the chains moving letting the defense rest.

BallSacked · June 2015

HeretoBeatmyChest said:

BallSacked said:
All depends on QB play. Rosen blew people away in spring, most say he's way beyond where Hundley was in the spring of his RS Frosh year. I think Tom Bradley from pedo state will be a huge upgrade as well. Over/Under for me is 9.5.
I don't think Hundley was that great. He really struggled against the best teams.

Even if Rosen is only okay, I think this is the best team Mora has had at UCLA.

Agree. He was our Lockner, a running back/safety playing QB. He overwhelmed most teams in the pac with his athleticism and tempo, but Stanford/Oregon had him dialed in like irishdawg on a BBW site. Even still he was a play or two away from a rosebowl as a Frosh.

It's definitely his most talented team and his easiest schedule. I'm a little concerned about out corners (I think they're average), but we dumped our Jonathan Smith-like DC for a legend. Hopefully he brings some better pressure packages to hide that weakness.

I think they could win the Pac, and these days that is at least a 50/50 to make CFP. Either way, Gladstone will be jealous and angry.

RoadDawg55 · June 2015

They will lose at least 3 games.

SteveInShelton · June 2015

If Jim Mora is still head coach, the answer is no.

Doogles · June 2015

UCLA? Of the perennially underachieving UCLAs?

Mora will botch a game against the Zona schools and might lose to Sark too. In fact the script says they blow the usc game after winning the south.

NeGgaPlEaSe · June 2015

SteveInShelton said:
If Jim Mora is still head coach, the answer is no.

I like to talk shit about a coach who has won 10 games a year back to back and 9 games his first year at a school, that what I like to do. Wait when was the last time UW won 10 games?

whatshouldicareabout · June 2015

I can see UCLA winning the South, but I'm not too sure about NC since I think they'll have hiccups against Utah and/or Stanford again. I think the teams with smart DCs will be able to confuse Rosen with their coverages, and I think UCLA's record will reflect Rosen's ability this fall.

PurpleJ · June 2015

Thought USC was winning the South cuz PLSS told me so.

whatshouldicareabout · June 2015

PurpleJ said:
Thought USC was winning the South cuz PLSS told me so.

Since Senior qb's dont matter to most of you dumb fucks, which team and their freshman,sophomore or true junior QB is going to beat them? ASU with their SENIOR QB has a chance at home, Vernon Adams, a senior, has a chance...

Told you fuckerds Sark would win the South soon after taking job. Anyone still want to doubt Puppy your lord next year? I called Stanford/UO vs Usc for title after the season ended. Sark beats Oregon in a rematch, after losing to UO late in November on the road, to win the conference.

NeGgaPlEaSe · June 2015

"The entire Pac-12 is gearing up to make a run at the conference title and most of them have a legitimate shot to make it there. UCLA has the talent to be in the mix this season even without the dynamic playmaking of Hundley under center but they don’t have the margin for error to overcome the valleys that often come from playing a young quarterback too soon.

Neuheisel is not going to set the college football world on fire with his ability but he also won’t burn down UCLA’s chances to compete in 2015 by trying to do too much. He knows his skill set and he knows what he has around him, and will be able to lean on the more dynamic playmakers in the offense to make the highlight reel plays to get the Bruins going.

His steady, if unspectacular, play and gutsy leadership will bring the consistency that UCLA needs this season. He may not be the flashy, exciting choice, but Neuheisel is the best choice for the Bruins to get the most out of their offense in 2015."

You can follow Tyler Brett on Twitter @ATylerBrett, on Facebook and on Google.

HFNY · June 2015

USC has a tougher schedule than UCLA but it could all come down to their rivalry game in terms of winning the south. Arizona and ASU will both be pretty good but not quite as talented as the LA schools.