For the 7-5 Chip Kelly led squad, playing closer to home will hopefully lead to an actual home field advantage. In their last two home games, the UCLA Bruins have lost to Arizona State, and California respectively, while combining for 14 points in those home losses.
While coordinators and players are leaving the program, including the year long starting quarterback Donte Moore, Kelly is looking to put an improved product on the field. A victory, regardless of how it comes, will go a long way to reassuring the UCLA Bruins that extending him was the right move for the future.
UCLA Bruins Starting Quarterback
Going into this game, despite the numerous struggles from the play caller position, the quarterback situation looks to be an advantage of the UCLA Bruins.
Listed as a redshirt junior, Collin Schlee brings veteran experience to the field. Having spent three years at Kent State, his 2022 season allowed him to showcase his upside. He threw for over 2,000 yards, and had a good ratio of 13 touchdown passes to 5 interceptions. He added an additional 492 yards carrying the ball and 4 rushing touchdowns to his stat line.
A good passer, who has the ability to make accurate deep throws, his best asset is the threat of running the football. Schlee excels in decision making off of RPO plays, and really needs to be a focal point of opposing run defenses. Because of how capable he is with his arm, it can be anticipated that more receivers will open up because of his skillset, potentially leading to bigger plays.
By contrast, Boise State is starting true freshman C.J. Tiller. Tiller will be seeing his first action against a strong UCLA Bruins defense because of the starter, Taylen Green, transferring to Arkansas, and Maddux Madsen suffering an unfortunate season ending injury earlier in the year.
An area of concern for Tiller would be his style of play. Evaluating him as of right now, he will benefit from having a full offseason to work on his footwork and mechanics. From high school, he relied on his scrambling to make plays by going off script. While this is a good skill to have, college starting quarterbacks usually can’t rely on this alone to consistently move the chains. In his first start, with his style of play, it will not be surprising if the true freshman learns some hard lessons, as he is running into the arms of the UCLA Bruins defenders.
UCLA Bruins Defense Facing A Two Headed Monster
Because of the developing talent getting the start, it can be expected that the Broncos will look to lean on the run game.
Spearheaded by sophomore Ashton Jeanty, the running back is the recipient and is on the watchlists of numerous awards, including First Team All-America honors from three separate outlets. With a nation leading 164.9 yards from scrimmage per game, he finished the year with 1,814 total yards, and 19 touchdowns.
Having recently announced his return to Boise State, it appears that he will be a Bronco for the remainder of his college football life:
“An important thing to me is the impact I leave on people and the legacy that I will be able to leave here will be something big, something huge and all the people’s lives I can change, I couldn’t pass up on that opportunity.”
Needless to say, Jeanty will be looking for a big signature win in the LA Bowl game. What is even more alarming for the UCLA Bruins defense is that if he isn’t able to get it going, then senior George Holani will be more than equal to the challenge.
The California native is looking to not only make an impression in his home state return, but also to end his college career on a win. While in the backup role this year, Holani is a starting quality back, who is averaging over 5 yards a run this season.
As the game wears on, either of these talented running backs are dangerous to pop off a big run, as a result of their commitment to the run game.
UCLA Bruins Coaching Crossroads
These two programs are at different junctures in their program. While Chip Kelly appears to be fortunate to be in this position, having endured strong rumors of his release from his duties, the Broncos are riding a wave of resurgence.
After promoting from within, this Spencer Danielson led team is looking to upset any warm, feel good last impressions for the UCLA Bruins fan base before the holiday season.
