UCLA Bruins Football 2011 Preview, Predictions, Picks, Odds | Sportsbookbuzz.com

UCLA Bruins Football 2011 Preview, Predictions, Picks, Odds

As the 2011 NCAA Football Season approaches, we are providing season previews for every college football teams to give you the betting edge. Follow the best College Football Handicappers as they analyze their teams in this 2011 season preview. Be sure to bookmark SportsbookBuzz.com your source for Sportsbook Reviews. Use our comprehensive and insider info to bet successfully on the College Football in our recommend sportsbooks.View the rest of our 2011 NCAA Football Season Previews here.

2010 Record: 4-8 PAC 12 Record: 2-7 (9th) 2011 Returning Starters: 17: 8 offense, 8 defense, punter

Coach: Rick Neuheisel, 15-22 (3 years)

Offensive Coordinators: Mike Johnson Defensive Coordinators: Joe Tresey

2011 UCLA Players to Watch: RB Johnathan Franklin, WR Nelson Rosario, FB Anthony Barr, OT Cassius Marsh, DE Oatone Jones, LB Patrick Larimore, S Tony Dye, P Jeff Locke

2011 UCLA Strengths:
The running game took off last season, and if spring is any indication, it should be clicking even better. UCLA brought in run game coordinator Jim Mastro from Nevada to help refine the pistol offense. Pass defense should also be stronger with eight retumlng starters on defense.

2011 UCLA Weaknesses:
As far along as the running game came along, the passing game fell. Unless Mike Johnson has some schematic improvements – along with the oft-repeated mantra of instilling confidence in a forlorn unit – the Bruins are going to continue to struggle through the air.

2011 UCLA Offense:

New offensive coordinator Mike Johnson has taken it upon himself to inject a little swagger into a passing game that has sunk to shocking depths, as the Bruins ranked 116th in the nation behind quarterbacks Kevin Prince and Richard Brehaut. Prince was sidelined for much of the season with a knee injury and participated little in the spring, but has good zip on the ball. Brehaut, meanwhile, tried to wrestle the position from Prince in the spring and fend off wunderkind freshman Brett Hundley, a highly rated prospect whom some UCLA fans view as the savior. Johnson also needed to pump some life into a talented receiving corps that failed to live up to big expectations in 2010. There were drops aplenty, but Johnson takes over as wide receivers coach, and the veteran unit looked improved during the spring. The Pistol is still the formation of choice in Westwood, and head coach Rick Neuheisel brought in long-time Nevada assistant Jim Mastro as running game coordinator to fine-tune a rushing attack that averaged 175.6 yards per game. Johnathan Franklin rushed for 1,127 yards last year, and he is backed up by the very capable Derrick Coleman.

2011 UCLA Defense:

The Bruins have talent on this side of the ball, but they also had talent last season under former coordinator Chuck Bullough, and that group sagged to 94th in the country in total defense and 86th in scoring defense. New sheriff Joe Tresey brings a rust-belt style to the position along with a pressure-heavy system that he employed at Cincinnati and South Florida. The players seemed to react well to Tresey’s demanding personality in the spring. End Datone Jones has returned to his disruptive ways after he was forced to miss all of last season with a broken foot. He will lead a unit that is talented but very raw. Sophomore Jordan Zumwalt is the man challenged with replacing NFL second-round pick Akeem Ayers at outside linebacker. He’ll join a unit that includes standout Patrick Larimore, who missed much of last year after shoulder surgery, and stalwart senior Sean Westgate. Strong safety Tony Dye will lead a secondary that showed great promise at times last season, but also was raw and tentative. A new star is emerging in sophomore safety Dietrich Riley, and the Bruins are expecting more reliable play from cornerbacks Aaron Hester and Sheldon Price.

2011 UCLA Special Teams:

Jeff Locke is one of the nation’s best punters. He followed up a standout freshman season with an even better sophomore campaign, ranking fifth nationally in yards per punt (45.8). He is expected to be in full form after missing spring football following hip surgery. Freshman placekicker Kip Smith takes the reins from UCLA legend Kai Forbath, the 2009 Lou Groza Award winner. Smith seems to have the leg, but his accuracy is lacking.

2011 UCLA Football Schedule | UCLA Football Sportsbooks

2011 UCLA Predictions:

Heading into Year 4, Neuheisel took a scalpel to his coaching staff, and the success of that tinkering will go a long way in determining if there will be a Year 5 of the Neuheisel Era. UCLA, his alma mater, has underperformed, with a 15–22 record since he took the reins in 2008. The Bruins have fallen victim to bad luck, particularly at the quarterback position, but the program also has lacked a sense of urgency. Now with Neuheisel on an increasingly warm seat, you better believe there is a pep in the Bruins’ step. Johnson and Tresey have brought a renewed sense of enthusiasm for the job, but both will learn the hard way if the injury bug continues to plague UCLA.

2011 UCLA Betting Odds:

UCLA Current odds to win a National Championship: +20000

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NCAA Football Handicapping Picks

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