Before every game, I ask a reporter who covers the Gophers upcoming opponent to give us a view from the opponent’s perspective.
This week, I asked James H. Williams who covers UCLA for USA Today six questions about the Bruins.
The Gophers travel to California to take on the Bruins for their second Big Ten road game.
This is the first meeting between the two teams since 1978.The Gophers are coming off an upset victory against USC, while UCLA is coming off a loss to No. 7 Penn State.
Huge thanks to James for giving us his thoughts!
1. A lot has changed for this UCLA team since it finished 8-5 last year. Head Coach Chip Kelly unexpectedly left the team after six seasons to become the offensive coordinator at Ohio State. The Bruins were forced to look for a new head coach as they start their new adventure into the Big Ten. The Bruins decided to promote former UCLA star running back DeShaun Foster to take over the program. Foster has served as the running backs coach for UCLA since 2017. In his first year at UCLA and being a first time head coach, what were the expectations for this UCLA team entering this season? How would you grade the team so far?
I’ve always considered this a Year 0 because the departure of Kelly and the hiring of Foster took place after the coaching cycle was already starting to settle down. Foster has publicly stated that the goal is to be competitive and win games in Year 1.
The team is adjusting to the transition to the Big 10 teams and the travel that comes with it. I’ll give UCLA a “C” grade. There’s been some positive signs in recruiting and the rough start isn’t completely surprising.
2. The Bruins are entering the game this Saturday with a 1-4 overall record. It’s important to get some context on that, though. The first five games of the 2024 schedule for UCLA have to be one of the toughest in the country. They have played Top 20 opponents in their last three games. Looking over the last five games, what would you consider the strength and weakness of this UCLA team?
The offensive line remains a work in progress. The Bruins have explored the transfer portal for a second consecutive year with the hopes of finding a winning formula upfront. The line had some returners this year but even those guys have been shuffled around a bit. Last week, redshirt sophomore Sam Yoon made his first start at center while Niki Prongos can already make a case for being UCLA’s best lineman. The redshirt sophomore was just offered a scholarship last week after originally joining the team as a walk-on.
The wide receivers are definitely a strength on this team considering the talent on the roster. They haven’t had the production to match it but this offense will have to find a way to get playmakers like J. Michael Sturdivant the ball.
3. Quarterback Ethan Garbers started the first four games for the Bruins until exiting the Oregon game with a lower body injury. Justyn Martin started the game against Penn State last week. How do the quarterbacks differ from each other? Who do you think will get the start against Minnesota?
The biggest difference is experience. Justyn Martin made the first start of his career last week and it wasn’t until Week 2 of the 2024 season that he’d thrown his first college pass attempt. Martin is also the faster and more athletic of the two and that’s especially true with Ethan Garbers having tape wrapped around his foot this week. He could be a game-time decision after sitting out Monday’s practice and sharing reps on Tuesday and Wednesday with Martin.
4. The Bruins’ defense is near the bottom of the conference in yards allowed, passing yards allowed, and points given up per game. How much of that is due to the quality of opponents they have played, or is it a lack of depth on the defensive side of the ball? What impact players should Minnesota fans know about when the Gophers have the ball?
I’d say it’s a bit of both. The Bruins lost several key players on defense from last year’s team including pass rusher Laiatu Latu, who was the first defender taken in the 2024 NFL draft. The departure of Latu and several others across the defensive line has made that position group a work in progress.
The linebackers are the biggest strength for this team. Linebacker Carson Schwesinger has come into his own this year and currently leads the Bruins in tackles with 49 and has a forced fumble. Kain Medrano is a returning linebacker, who always has the potential to be a game-changer. He is second on the team in tackles (28) and has two pass deflections and a forced fumble.
5. This next question is more for my curiosity. As soon as the news of Chip Kelly leaving UCLA to go to Ohio State was reported, Gophers coach P.J. Fleck was quickly mentioned on many lists as a person to be considered for the UCLA job. It was rumored that Fleck even explored the possibility. Around the UCLA fanbase, how high was Fleck on people’s lists to become the new head coach for the Bruins?
P.J. Fleck wasn’t a name UCLA fans were begging for. There may have been some positives for the program if they landed someone like Fleck because of his coaching experience and the possibility of being able to have guys follow him through the transfer portal.
Things happened so fast that I think they were happy with anyone who wasn’t Chip Kelly but were also left scratching their head knowing Jonathan Smith and Jedd Fisch may have been interested in the job if it was UCLA who moved on from Kelly earlier in the offseason.
6. Minnesota takes on UCLA for the first time since 1978. The Gophers lead the all-time series, 2-1. The Gophers are currently 5.5 point favorites as they travel to Pasadena. It is rumored that over 10,000 Minnesota fans will be making the trip out west. What does UCLA need to do to come away with a victory over Minnesota? What is your prediction for the game?
The Bruins have to get back to two things that have been successful for the program, especially last year. With both DeShaun Foster and Eric Bieniemy being former running backs, I think there was an expectation that we’d see more out of the running game. TJ Harden is in his third year as a contributor but has been limited to just 151 yards and a touchdown on 48 carries this year.
The defensive line was the biggest uncertainty this offseason. The Bruins have since used linebacker Oluwafemi Oladejo as an option for the pass rush. While Foster has been pleased with what he’s seen early on with Oladejo’s progress, more will have to be done to take the next step. Prediction: Minnesota 24, UCLA 21.