UCLA

Since its founding in 1919, the University of California, Los Angeles has become one of the nation’s premier scholastic and athletic institutions.  With a rich tradition of excellence both on and off the field, the blue and gold’s athletic program recently claimed its record 100^th national championship.  Following a roller-coaster season that witnessed the ecstasy of the upset of cross-town rival USC and the agony of a 44-27 drubbing at the hands of Florida State in the Emerald Bowl, UCLA needs to establish itself early on as a contender for the conference title.

2007 UCLA Bruins Outlook

The Bruins feature a team that returns 20 starters in 2007 and with junior quarterback Ben Olson healthy look to be in contention for a BCS bowl bid.  The number of returning starters means that the Bruins, who improved significantly defensively last season, could have one of the best defenses in college football as the players begin their second year in coordinator DeWayne Walker’s system.  Offensively, running back Chris Markey and receivers Marcus Everett and Brandon Breazell will carry the load in new offensive coordinator Jay Norvell’s interpretation of the Bruin’s West Coast offense.  In order to be successful this year, UCLA needs to improve on converting red-zone opportunities into touchdowns.  Last year the Bruins punched it in for six on only 42% of their red-zone possessions.

Entering his fifth year at the controls at UCLA, head coach Karl Dorrell, with a career record of 29-21, has an opportunity to lead his alma mater to his first BCS appearance.  After silencing his critics’ calls for his job with the Bruins’ defeat of cross-town rival USC last season, Dorrell bought himself some time to fully implement his system.  Unfortunately, the high turnover rate in his assistant coaching staff means that once again the team is adapting to a new play caller in new offensive coordinator Jay Norvell.  If the offense can experience a fraction of the improvement the defense underwent last season in the first year of defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker, UCLA will be a dangerous team in the conference.

The two key losses for the Bruins this year are defensive end Justin Hickman and All-America kicker Justin Medlock.  Hickman’s departure deprives the Bruins of a pass rusher who racked up 12.5 sacks during the 2006 campaign.  The loss of Medlock eliminates one of UCLA’s biggest weapons.  On a team that was forced to settle for field goals at the end of many drives, Medlock was 28-32.  Vital to the Bruins’ success this year is quarterback Ben Olson.  The big lefty will need to be efficient and accurate in order for this team to reach their potential.  Senior strong safety Chris Horton anchors one of the best secondaries in the PAC-10 and is someone opposing receivers will have to be aware of on every possession.  He is a constant threat to drop the hammer on anyone crossing the middle.