It’s finally here.
The first game of the Chip Kelly era kicks off at 4 p.m. on ESPN as the Bruins host Cincinnati and we’ll see once and for all what Kelly has for his return to college football.
Like UCLA, Cincinnati is coming off back-to-back losing seasons. The Bearcats are in just their second year under head coach Luke Fickell, a former Ohio State defensive coordinator.
Here are links to catch you up on everything that happened during the long preseason:
Game week
- The Bruins have something to prove today
- Chart: How tempo in the Pac-12 changed when Kelly arrived and when he left
- TV info, stats, injuries and my prediction
From the season preview package
- Best-case and worst-case scenarios for the Bruins
- A game-by-game look at the schedule
- Five burning questions, four of which are still unanswered entering the season opener
New faces
- Wilton Speight won the UCLA quarterback battle. Why his mentor thinks the Michigan grad transfer will be better than ever after a scary back injury.
- What does Chip Kelly mean to UCLA and why did the former Oregon coach pick the Bruins? A deep dive on the new man in charge.
- Justin Murphy put a budding real estate career on hold to return to football. The Bruins are glad the former Texas Tech offensive lineman did.
- Tyree Thompson worked as a janitor last year during junior college. He’s getting ready to start at linebacker for UCLA on Saturday.
Welcome back
- After getting hit by a car while driving his scooter, Jaelan Phillips is just ready to “ball out” at a new position
- Caleb Wilson is making a long-awaited return to the field after foot surgery.
Offense
- Wilson is just one of many talented tight ends the Bruins have in their most impressive position group on offense.
- To revitalize its running game, UCLA hopes to channel its best Oregon vibes
- UCLA receivers loved watching Kelly’s offense on TV, but it’s not all fun and games in real life
- On the remaining quarterback options: Devon Modster and Dorian Thompson-Robinson
Defense
- “Get angry!” The UCLA defense has a new, violent mentality with its new coaching staff
- Nate Meadors and Darnay Holmes are ready to buy their own personal islands in the secondary
- Major injuries: linebacker Josh Woods and safety Kenny Churchwell both suffer season-ending knee injuries in training camp
Odds and ends
- Former UCLA coach Terry Donahue just met Kelly for the first time this month and Donahue came away very impressed
- Play fast, run fast, talk fast? Everything is moving at warp speed for UCLA
- Keep an eye on special teams today. The Bruins worked on it A LOT.
- Personnel update: The Bruins will be missing six players due to suspension today
- A look at UCLA’s depth chart released Monday, although it now has a starting quarterback
Another Monday surprise: #UCLA has released a depth chart!
A not surprise: it does not feature a firm starting quarterback. Kelly said it's still close between Speight, Modster and DTR. pic.twitter.com/pl4H7jUuby— Thuc Nhi Nguyen (@thucnhi21) August 27, 2018
On Cincinnati
- From the Cincinnati Enquirer: The underdog Bearcats are eager to prove themselves in the Rose Bowl
- Player to watch for Cincinnati: Top receiver Kahlil Lewis
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