UCLA football is back.
The Bruins hit the field again at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, just the second time in the last six years that they’ll open their season at the Rose Bowl. Lining up across from them will be Virginia, a struggling program that nevertheless stuck close with UCLA in a 28-20 decision in Charlottesville last year.
This weekend, the Cavaliers enter what could be a do-or-die year for sixth-year coach Mike London, while Jim Mora’s No. 13 squad is eyeing a conference title — or more.
Here’s what to look for on the field.
When UCLA has the ball
For the first time since he’s been in Westwood, offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone won’t have Brett Hundley to operate his scheme.
How quickly can Josh Rosen fill those shoes, and will his style of play result in new wrinkles in the playbook? That question won’t be fully answered in Week 1, but don’t be shocked if the true freshman pulls out a few highlight plays, particularly in the second half. Early on, UCLA will likely hand the ball off to reigning Pac-12 rushing champion Paul Perkins and let him chew up the field behind what should be a stout offensive line.
Virginia defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta runs an aggressive 4-3 front that emphasizes movement on the front line, but it’s unclear if he can keep this unit operating at the same level it did last season. All three starting linebackers from last season (Henry Coley, Daquan Romero, Max Valles) are gone, as is star defensive end Eli Harold. Those four players were responsible for 33 tackles and five sacks against the Bruins; that they won’t be on the field this Saturday might have given Mazzone at least an extra half-hour of sleep this week.
Still, the Cavaliers’ defensive backfield should give Rosen a good first test — even if the game plan doesn’t have him airing it out too much.
This is an above-average unit led by sophomore star Quin Blanding, an All-America candidate who might end the season as the best player in the country stuck on a sub-.500 team. Next to him is cornerback Maurice Canady, who returned three interceptions for 69 yards and a touchdown as a junior last season. The return of Demetrious Nicholson should help too; the cornerback was an all-conference honorable mention in 2012, but has missed most of the last two season due to injury.
Edge: UCLA
When Virginia has the ball
Matt Johns might be the answer at quarterback, but Virginia’s offensive question is more multivariable calculus than long division.
The Wahoos ranked 11th in the ACC last season in averaging 5.08 yards per play, and is a unit bereft of truly dangerous playmakers. The most proven weapon available to Johns is receiver Canaan Severin who led the team with 578 receiving yards and five touchdowns last season. The rest of the position group is in trouble, however, with North Carolina transfer T.J. Thorpe and a pair of reserves all sidelined with injuries.
Running back isn’t much of a bright spot either. UVa’s backfield timeshare will include: Taquan Mizzell, a former five-star recruit who has yet to clear 500 rushing yards in two seasons; Daniel Hamm, who had 75 yards on 17 carries last season; and Albert Reid, who rushed for 447 yards in three years before transferring out of Maryland.
As long as the Bruin defense plays up to its talent level, Virginia shouldn’t gain much momentum.
Edge: UCLA
On special teams
Virginia kicker Ian Frye was a Lou Groza Award semifinalist last season, hitting all 17 of his attempts inside the 40-yard line and going 22 of 27 overall. His misses came from 46, 48, 50 (twice) and 52 yards out, though he hit a career-long 52-yard attempt back in 2013. If the Cavaliers stay close on the final few drives, Frye could be a difference maker.
Kickoff specialist Dylan Sim is capable, but the rest of the Wahoos ranged from average to awful on special teams last season.
At this point in his career, Ka’imi Fairbairn is what he is: reliable inside the 35-yard line, and far less so beyond it. UCLA’s coverage unit should still be consistently good, so the big question is who replaces Ishmael Adams as a returner. A good bet is Mossi Johnson, whom assistant coach Scott White praised for his sure hands — one of the top qualities he looks for in that position.
Edge: Even
Prediction: UCLA 38, Virginia 20. The Bruins might take some time to pull away, but the talent disparity between the two teams is too large to expect anything but a home victory — even with a true freshman quarterback. The lack of cross-country travel should also work in UCLA’s favor.