25 Questions for the Grandest Stage

What is their body of work?

UCLA was at one point a marquee program, back during Dick Vermeil and Terry Donahue days.  They had a couple good years under Bob Toledo, but since 1998 have finished the season in the final AP poll only 3 times.  Chip Kelly begins his 5th season with 2 votes in the pre-season AP poll.  He had his first winning season in Westwood last year.  Of course, the shadow of the Big Ten now looms over the program as well.

How experienced are they?

Phil Steele gives them a 63 for experience, which puts them in the bottom third of the FBS.  They return only 40% of their tackles from last year.  (BG's score is 90).

Who are their pre-season all-conference players?

Zach Charbonnet, RB (1st)--UM Transfer

Jake Bobo, WR (1st)--Duke Transfer

Kazmeier Allen, KR (1st)

Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB (3rd)

Ale Kaho, LB (3rd)--Alabama Transfer

Michael Ezeike, TE (4th)

Gary Smith, DT (4th)

Darius Muasu, LB (4th)--Hawaii transfer

Jon Gaines, G (4th)

Devin Kirkwood, DB (4th)

In total, 23 transfers on the roster.

What is their turnover ratio? 

They were +5 last year.

Offense

How is their QB play?

He's a good one.  He has made 35 career starts and is the best QB they have had since 2005, based on passing efficiency.  He is a two-way threat.

What is their scoring and yards per play

As expected, Chip Kelly moves the ball.  Last year was 36 PPG, #12 in the nation.  They had 6.2 yards per play, which was 41st in the country.

Can they run the ball?

They averaged about 5 per rush last year, 32nd in the nation.  They had Charbonnet last year, too, so they should do at least this well again.

Do they pass the ball?

Papparazi are everywhere in LA

They were 39th last year in passing efficiency. Thompson-Robinson completed 63% of his passes. There were 13 yards per completion. He had 21 TDs with only 6 INT.

How is their run/pass balance?

They ran on 61% of their plays, about where OU is for reference.

Do they convert on 3rd Down?

Yes they do, 46%. #12 in the country.

Do they score in the red zone?

Pretty good, 5.6 points per trip.

Do they protect the quarterback?

Not great, sacks on 7% of attempts.

Defense:

Topline: Scoring and yards per play

The defense was not quite as good, allowing 26 PPG, #74 in the nation. They allowed 5.5 yards per play, which was 60th.

Do they defend the run effectively?

They were tough to run against, allowing only 3.8 yards per carry, 37th in the country.

Can they be passed on?

They were 42nd last year. They allowed 62% completion percentage, with about 11 yards per completion.

Do they get off the field on 3rd down?

So when the yards per play is pretty good and the scoring is worse, it's usually 3rd downs on red zone bringing the scoring down.  They allowed 44% 3rd down conversions, 111th in the country. 

Do they defend in the red zone?

They allow 5.3 points per trip which is not great.

Do they pressure the QB?

They get sacks on 5.5% of passing attempts, which is average.

Special Teams:

Punting?

Their punter graduated and their PK, Nicholas Barr-Mira, will handle punting as well.  They were blocked twice last year.

Punt Return?

They led the nation in punt returns last year.  Their #1 guy is gone (20+ yards per return) but they do have a returner back who averaged 11.7 per return. No blocks.

Placekicking? 

He is not great. 14 of 21 overall.  Long of 48, 8 of 9 inside 40.

Kickoff? 

Pretty good.  Opponents started on their 21.

Kickoff Return?

They started last year on their 23.

Intangible Miscellany

BG is a 24 point underdog.  No surprise there. Improbably enough, Loeffler has won twice in similar upsets.  I think the Rose Bowl is an intangible.  Will BG have big eyes playing in college football's most famous stadium?  UCLA has a very solid defensive line...will BG's new look OL be able to get any traction?  Lastly can the BG defense slow down the UCLA offense?

These games are on our schedule to pay the bills in our Athletic Department.  Once in a while, we pick one off.  Short of that, we're looking for a representatie performance and for everyone to be healthy.