UCLA Bruins: Keys To The Season, Top Game, Top Transfer, Fun Stats
UCLA Bruins: Key To The 2022 Offense
Do all of this, and even faster.
It’s hard to argue too much with what the second-best offense in the Pac-12 did, but it might not be a bad thing if this attack goes warp speed a wee bit more.
Setting the dial to hypocrite, I was always the annoying guy who complained about the Chip Kelly’s Oregon offenses not paying enough attention to time of possession – there were times when the O getting off the field fast was a problem against the pounders who controlled the tempo.
When UCLA’s offense is humming, it’s moving much faster, it’s ultra-efficient, and it’s putting defenses on their heels and stressing out opposing offenses to take more chances.
UCLA outscored teams 89 to 42 in the first quarters of games, but that was offset by the defense allowing 141 points in the second quarter to screw it all up.
This offense has to be so dangerous that it all but has the game won after a few drives. But that only works if …
UCLA Bruins: Key To The 2022 Defense
The pass defense has to be a whole lot stronger.
The pass rush was okay. It was among the best in the Pac-12, but it was just 69th in the nation overall and went missing a bit too often. That needs to help the cause, but the secondary has to do its part, too.
To be fair, the UCLA offense really was good, and offenses had to throw to keep up at times. That, and the secondary struggled a bit too much early on.
The Bruins got hit for 240 yards or more in each of the first six games and seven of the first eight. There were a slew of lighter passing teams over the second half of the year – UCLA allowed just four touchdown passes over the final seven games after giving up 11 in the first five.
There aren’t a ton of high-powered passing teams on the slate – especially early on – so there should be no excuse. The pass D stats should be far stronger.
UCLA Bruins: Key Player To The 2022 Season
WR Jake Bobo, Sr.
The Duke transfer made a whole lot of plays over his four years in the ACC. He caught 126 passes for 1,441 yards – 74 of the grabs and 794 of the yards coming last year – but he only scored three touchdowns and averaged 11.4 yards per carry.
No one’s asking him to become an NFL-caliber star to replace a bulk of the lost production from Kyle Phillips, Chase Cota, and TE Greg Dulcich, but …
A second straight 74-catch season would certainly help the cause.
UCLA Bruins: Key Transfer
LB Darius Muasau, Sr.
There are several key transfers. Bobo is one. Rutgers OT Raiqwon O’Neal is definitely one, and as pass rushing terrors, Gabriel and Grayson Murphy might be the scariest twins since Marco and Leonel Salamanca from Breaking Bad.
If all goes according to plan, Muasau is going to be the one who takes the defense up another notch.
He’s a guided missile of an all-around middle linebacker, turning into more of a pass rusher along with hitting the 100-tackle mark for a second year in a row. The two-time First Team All-Mountain West star brings a resumé with 274 career tackles, 11.5 sacks, 26.5 tackles for losses, and last year he forced five fumbles.
Bruin fans are going to love him.
UCLA Key Game To The 2022 Season
Utah, October 8th
There aren’t any divisions this season, so every game is a big deal in Pac-12 play. However, the date with Utah sets up everything else.
Bowling Green, Alabama State, South Alabama, at Colorado, Washington. Any team worthy of thinking about playing for the conference championship has to be 5-0 to start the season against that slate.
The USC game is at home, and the team only leaves California once over the final five games. Get through the home game against Utah – it was a 44-24 Ute win last year, and there’s two weeks off to prepare for the trip to Oregon.
Lose to the Utes, and the Oregon game probably becomes a must-win to get to the Pac-12 title game.
UCLA Bruins: 2021 Fun Stats
– Opponent 1st Quarter Scoring: 42 – Opponent 2nd Quarter Scoring: 141
– Punt Return Average: UCLA 19.14 – Opponents 4.5
– 4th Down Conversions: UCLA 20-of-31 (65%) – Opponents 10-of-24 (42%)
UCLA 2022 Preview
Offense, Defense Breakdown
Season Prediction, What Will Happen
UCLA Top 10 Players | UCLA Schedule & Analysi