UCLA Football: Forecasting the Bruins 2021 season

National writer Phil Steele believes this could be Chip Kelly’s best season with UCLA football. In his college football preview, Steele cited returning talent as a reason to watch the Bruins.

They bring back quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and receiver Kyle Phillips. The defense could be the best in the Kelly-era. Still, UCLA has been very mediocre in recent years, and many doubt whether they will be strong enough to make an impact in the Pac-12. Can the Bruins obtain their first winning season since 2015? Below is a summary of Steele’s prognostication for 2021.

The Offense

Thompson-Robinson tossed for 1,120 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2020, a good chunk of which went to Phillips.

The junior receiver led the Bruins with 38 receptions a year ago and should remain their top weapon this season. Michigan transfer Zach Charbonnet should join running back Brittain Brown (6.6 yards per carry) in the backfield.

The offense took its biggest leap in Kelly’s third year, going from 26.7 to 35.4 points per game. Ten starters are back, including the entire offensive line. Steele says the Bruins have a chance to be better in 2021; though topping last season’s numbers will be challenging.

The Defense

Ten starters return for a UCLA football defense that led the Pac-12 in sacks and tackles for loss.

Caleb Johnson (5.5 sacks) and Mitchell Agude (8 TFL) should anchor the Bruins in 2021. Even with the returning experience, there are questions surrounding a group that gave up 410 yards per game this past season. Steele predicts them to finish in the bottom half of the conference in total defense.

He does, however, say he expects them to be the best yet under Kelly.

The Forecast

It has been an underwhelming first three seasons in Los Angeles for Kelly.

He is 10-21 in that span and is certainly a hot-seat candidate this year. With 20 returning starters, the Bruins should improve in 2021. Getting to a bowl game seems like a realistic goal for UCLA football.

Unfortunately, Steele isn’t so high on the Bruins. They fail to make his list of the top-16 most improved teams for 2021. It appears their ceiling isn’t as high as the pressure will be this season.

Photo courtesy of Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images.