Before we delve into each of the important parts of the Bruin and Cavalier squads, we should consider what this game means to each team. For UCLA, this season opener means a lot more to this team than people are expecting. This game is an opportunity for the #7 Bruins to live up to the anticipated hype, as Brett Hundley and the team emerge under the nation’s spotlight. This game will also serve as an early indicator for what to come; if UCLA struggles in this game, it will certainly bring stress for future games against much tougher opponents. For Virginia, the season starts out with head coach Mike London on the hot seat. This year could very well be the last chance he has to push Virginia to their second winning season out of the five that London has coached at the school. He will need every win that comes his way this year, as the Cavaliers grueling schedule features home games with Louisville, Miami, and North Carolina, with road matches against BYU, Virginia Tech, and Florida State. Let’s begin the UCLA vs Virginia preview.
Quarterbacks: UCLA
Brett Hundley starts the season off as an early Heisman contender with the Bruins. Brett’s last game featured a stellar performance against another Virginia school on New Year’s Eve. He has a lot to prove, and he needs to start the season off with a statement in order to notify the college football world why he came back for his final season.
Virginia’s new quarterback, redshirt sophomore Greyson Lambert, hopes to make a splash in his home opener, but with a lack of targets and experience on the receiver side, Hundley has the easy edge here.
Running Backs: Virginia
Coming off of 1400+ all-purpose yards last year, Kevin Parks leads Virginia’s rushing attack for the 2014 season. This is one area of UVA’s roster where they have experience, with senior running back Taquan Mizzell looking to spark the Cavalier offense after last year’s devastating ankle injury.
Injuries also became one of the biggest problems for the Bruin’s running back corps last season. This year, they bring a dual-threat running combo with senior Jordan James and redshirt sophomore Paul Perkins. Steven Manfro expects to get a good amount of reps in as he plays in an important role for the Bruins ground game.
Experience and an ultimate dependency on their running game gives Virginia the edge for running backs.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends: UCLA
UCLA isn’t entirely lost without wideout Shaquille Evans, who left for the NFL after last season. Approaching this season with a receiver-by-committee strategy, the Bruins will be confident with veteran juniors Jordan Payton, Devin Fuller, Devin Lucien, and breakout redshirt freshman Eldrige Massington holding it down.
Although Virginia showcases a group of very young wide receivers, the loss of their top two targets from last year (tight end Jake McGee and wide receiver Tim Smith) created the Cavaliers biggest weakness on offense.
UCLA is stacked at wide receiver, and transfers for Virginia have exposed one of the critical parts of this team that needs help.
Offensive Line: UCLA
Devastating injuries and inexperience from tackle to tackle created a handicap for UCLA’s offense last year. But with a healthy group of players who come back with the experience of a season of Pac-12 conference play, UCLA’s offensive line is no longer suspect. Besides seasoned center Jake Brendel, the Bruins will look for 6’6″ 310 pound senior transfer from Miami, Malcom Bunche, to provide some beef for the Bruins in the trenches.
For the Cavaliers, it has been rough for the offensive line. Through training camp there have already been several injuries that created a lot of uncertainty for their starting line. One highlight in this area is 6’5″ 300 pound guard Conner Davis, who looks to utilize his talent and understanding to help guide the young line during his senior year.
Just like other groups, UCLA’s depth outshines the Cavaliers here.
Front Seven: UCLA
The Bruins bring back eight starters this year on the defensive side, with more than half on the front seven. Threats on the defensive line include Eddie Vanderdoes, Ellis McCarthy, and redshirt senior Owamagbe Odighizuwa, who is coming off of a season–long hip injury. UCLA has a large hole to fill after All-American linebacker Anthony Barr left for the NFL, but with the departure of one star comes the rise of another. Returning Pac-12 Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year, linebacker Myles Jack, looks to lead the defense along with dominant senior linebacker Eric Kendricks.
Virginia’s front seven is led by defensive tackles David Dean, Mike Moore, and star senior inside linebacker Henry Coley, who led the Cavaliers with 91 tackles last year. The pressure on the offensive line will be an early-season test for UCLA, and the results will be seen through their offensive production on the ground.
UCLA’s outstanding depth was the deciding factor for the front seven, once again.
Secondary: Virginia
If there is a way that Virginia will be able to pull off an upset against UCLA, it will have to be with their secondary. All-American strong safety Anthony Harris led the nation last season with eight interceptions. This team captain has been valuable in other ways on the field too, as he has helped mentor top-recruit Quin Blanding, who looks to start at free safety on the Cavaliers. If you mix them in with experienced cornerbacks Maurice Canady and Brandon Phelps, Virginia begins the season with one of the ACC’s best secondaries.
One of UCLA’s areas that still needs to show improvement is their secondary. One of the priorities for this section of the team is preventing the big play. Anthony Jefferson and Randall Goforth have to lead the youthful group, and that will be critical as they face the Pac-12’s elite quarterbacks this season.
Virginia’s talent in this area was too great to be overlooked.
Matchup to Watch: Brett Hundley vs Virginia’s Secondary
In Brett’s anticipated start, he will have to overcome a group of players that cannot be underestimated. If he wants to win convincingly in this game, he will have to win this battle by establishing the Bruins passing game early.
Final Prediction: UCLA 45 – Virginia 21
Despite UVA’s solid secondary, the talent that the Bruins possess will overwhelm the Cavaliers. The most interesting player to watch this game will be Myles Jack, and to see what Jim Mora intends for him on the offensive side of the ball, as a hint for what’s to come for him later in the year.
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