2011 UCLA Bruins Football Predictions, Odds, Picks and Schedule – 2011 UCLA NCAA Football Preview

2011 UCLA Bruins College Football Expert Predictions, Picks, Vegas Odds and Schedule – UCLA NCAA Football Preview: It doesn’t take a math major to figure out where things went wrong for Rick Neuheisel and UCLA in 2010-11. Last season, the Bruins gave up more than 30 points a game while scoring just 20. A solid rushing attack was hindered by one of the worst passing offenses in the nation, and a suspect defense didn’t help matters. Loses by 35 to Stanford, 28 to California, and 47 to Oregon highlighted how bad things were for the Bruins. The good news is that 15 starters are back for the 2011-12 campaign, but Neuheisel and company still have a long way to go to restore the once proud program to any sort of prominence.

The first step will be finding a legitimate quarterback. Richard Brehaut and Kevin Prince both saw action last season, but neither impressed. The duo combined for just nine touchdown passes compared to 12 interceptions, and the Bruins averaged less than 150 yards a game through the air. A platoon situation will likely happen again this season unless Brehaut or Prince can do enough to secure the job. While some teams have had success using multiple QBs, UCLA is truly facing the age old problem of two quarterbacks equaling no quarterbacks. After all, Taylor Embree was the team’s top receiver last season, and he barely topped 400 yards.

At least whoever is under center will have running back Johnathan Franklin to hand the ball to. The junior ran for more than 1,100 yards last season and was the centerpiece of a ground game that produced more than 175 yards per game on the ground. Four linemen with starting experience are back this year as well, and despite the offense being totally one dimensional, the running attack should be able to equal last year’s numbers.

UCLA does return eight starts on defense, including three starters in the secondary. Linebacker Sean Westgate returns to lead the front seven as well, but the unit has a lot of work to do after surrendering more than 30 a contest last season. Another year of experience should, but unless the offense can stay on the field a bit longer, fatigue is going to be an issue for the defense later in games. The Bruins’ defense should be serviceable this year, but an average to good defense isn’t going to make up for a dreadful offense.

Right from the start, the schedule gets tough for the Bruins this season. The out-of-conference schedule opens with a road game against an underrated Houston team, and UCLA hosts Texas as well before PAC-12 play begins. With the exception of Oregon State, there really isn’t a road game on the conference schedule that looks favorable for a Bruins team that went 2-7 in the PAC-12 last season. A home game against Arizona State is a tall order as well, and overall, the Bruins aren’t going to be favored in many games this year.

When it comes down to it, the Bruins are bringing a knife to a gun fight this year. In a conference filled with strong quarterbacks, UCLA’s terrible passing offense is going to be an issue. The Bruins will likely struggle to score points once again in 2011-12, and while the defense should be a bit improved, it won’t offset the team’s inefficiencies on offense. UCLA will pick up a few wins at home during the year, but this team simply lacks the talent it needs to make a bowl appearance this season.

2011 UCLA Bruins College Football Predictions: 4-8 Record

Preseason 2011 UCLA Bruins NCAA Football Odds:
Odds to Win 2012 BCS Championship: +17500
Odds to Win 2011 PAC 12 Championship: +1800
You can BET on these lines or any other College Football Odds and Lines daily at SBG Global Sportsbook(upto 265% in Bonuses!)

2011 UCLA Bruins College Football Schedule
Sat, Sep 3 at Houston 3:30 pm —
Sat, Sep 10 San Jose State 10:00 pm —
Sat, Sep 17 Texas 3:30 pm —
Sat, Sep 24 at Oregon State TBA —
Sat, Oct 1 at Stanford TBA —
Sat, Oct 8 Washington State TBA —
Thu, Oct 20 at Arizona 9:00 pm —
Sat, Oct 29 California TBA —
Sat, Nov 5 Arizona State TBA —
Sat, Nov 12 at Utah TBA —
Sat, Nov 19 Colorado TBA —
Sat, Nov 26 at USC 10:00 pm —

Check out NSAwins.com’s official 2011 College Football Over Under Team Wins Odds and Predictions and 2011 PAC 12 Football Futures Odds and Predictions articles.

Need Expert Winning College Football Expert Picks? Be sure to check out NSAwins.com’s award-winning College Football Season Picks Packages for expert winners against the vegas spreads and totals in College Football this season including 2011 College Football Picks and Predictions to beat the vegas point spreads and totals!