Football is finally back, and the UCLA Bruins face one of the most unique seasons in the history of the program.
But anything less than a .500 season could push UCLA Athletic Director Dan Guerrero to make a change up top if the alumni become restless after another mediocre season from the Bruins.Let's hope shoddy offensive line protection doesn't cost the man his job.UCLA Head Coach Rick Neuheisel needs playmakers like WR Taylor Embree to remain healthy for a tough 2010 schedule that begins this Saturday, Sept. 4 in Manhattan, KansasPrince will be on the move often in the Bruins' new Pistol offensive schemeRedshirt freshman WR Ricky Marvray has been turning heads in training camp, and should see plenty of playing time this seasonS Rahim Moore looks to continue his stellar level of play in 2010K Kai Forbath could be the first back-to-back Lou Groza Award winner in over a decade.The Bruins could be the subject of nationwide water cooler talk, as half their scheduled games this year are nationally televised.Texas QB Garrett Gilbert is only one of a handful of big-game signal callers the UCLA defense will have to contend with in 2010RT Micah Kia has the most starting experience of any of the Bruins starting offensive linemen.Even if QB Kevin Prince is healthy to start the season, UCLA fans can't help wonder for how long?The UCLA offense may be at a crosroads if the Pistol doesn't workCould a 5-7 season cause AD Dan Guerrero to find a new head coach?
Here are five reasons for the latter fans to smile, as well as another five reasons for these same loyalists to worry.UCLA’s Prince in shining armor has been recovering from a slightly torn back muscle that he sustained in practice back on Aug. 10.
At the very least, there should be a spike in national “water cooler talk” regarding the Bruins, and the university stands to benefit from gaining broad exposure in harder-to-reach markets.With some luck and skillful coaching, the national chatter will escalate to which bowl game UCLA will get invited to, and how much they’ll beat USC by when the rivals meet on Saturday, December 4.While being nationally televised is exciting, it adds an air of urgency to UCLA's season.
But his charismatic coaching style will only take the program so far if UCLA tanks its 2010 season.Many building blocks have been set up for this team to succeed, especially on defense. field goal.4th quarter scoring: UCLA – Kai Forbath 42 yd. 7 ranked Longhorns 34-12 with touchdowns by Johnathan Franklin and Justin Tucker kicked two field goals, 31 and 34 yards, and James Kirkendoll scored on a 5-yard pass from The Bruins came from behind to score the final three touchdowns, one by quarterback Quarterback Brehaut played in place of injured Kevin Prince and made 12 of 23 passes for 128 yards in his first career start. WR Taylor Embree is the other return man, but Smith is ahead on the special teams depth chart since Embree plays flanker with the first-team offense.Six of the Bruins’ 12 games in 2010 are nationally televised on either ESPN or ABC throughout the season.
The 2009 Lou Groza award winner looks to repeat that feat before he sets his sights on the NFL. Depth is a rare commodity in the placekicking world, but the Bruins have it. Prince needs to get healthy, well, Make no mistake: Coach Rick Neuheisel has made some great accomplishments with regards to recruiting talent from all over the country to Westwood while inspiring confidence in his team and its fanbase. First, 2010 will be the last season that the historic Pac-10 will exist. Saturday, Sep 4 at Kansas State.