Which should surprise nobody

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UCLA’s game against Fresno State, originally scheduled for Sept. 14, 2024, has been pushed back to Nov. 30, the program announced Tuesday.

While the Big Ten dates have yet to be announced, that would put the Bruins’ contest against the Bulldogs toward the back end of the schedule.

In addition, a first-time road contest at Fresno State in 2032 was agreed upon.

Chip speaks a little before 9 a.m.

After being put under pressure 20 times and getting sacked seven times at Utah two weeks ago, UCLA quarterback Dante Moore was pressured 14 more times against Washington State.

For the season, right tackle Garrett DiGiorgio is the Bruins’ highest-graded pass blocker among the five starters with a grade of 78. The highest-graded among all UCLA linemen in pass protection is Siale Taupaki (80.1).

For comparison sake, DiGiorgio’s grade is 253rd nationally.

The other four UCLA starters’ pass-blocking grades: C Duke Clemens (76.3), RG Josh Carlin (68.8), LG Spencer Holstege (67.0)… and LT Bruno Fina (5.7).

Fina had a 0.0 at Utah (lowest grade possible) and just 18.5 against Washington State. His best was 77.4 against North Carolina Central.

Of Fina’s pressures allowed, his five QB hits allowed is tied for fourth-worst among O-linemen who meet the minimum snap count to qualify.

The run blocking is significantly better with Clemens at 83.4 and Holstege at 78.4 leading the way for UCLA.

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George MacIntyre, a four-star QB from Tennessee and the third-ranked QB in the class, has UCLA in his top 10.

Alabama, Auburn, FIU, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Oregon and Tennessee are also on his list.

My latest on a UCLA defense that is now playing with high expectations — and they aren’t shying away from it:

Why are we still drawing in the mid 30k range while across town they’re getting 60k?
The Rose Bowl looks awful with so many empty seats.
Will it get any better the rest of the year?
I know it was a little warm out there but it was a must-win game against a ranked team.

#2,3,6,7,8,10,18. Of those seven, four are the new additions.

The current Big 10 has 3 of 14 teams ranked with only Maryland and Wisconsin being competitive and 9 others either just bad or in turmoil.

The final PAC 12 coalition has 7 of 12 teams ranked. I would argue that Arizona and Colorado are playing at Wisconsin and Maryland’s level. Cal is a wild card and ASU and Stanford have been bad.

Here’s that rundown with five things that stood out (will have a few more stories throughout the week):

In the latest AP poll. Amazing what one game will do

New poll

UCLA Defense I kept thinking that our defense was going to break down and that Ward was going to get hot and win the game...WRONG. The defense got hetter as the game progressed and held WSU's offense to a measly 200 yards in offense. Even more startling was that WSU had 19 rushing plays for 12 yards total. I think the 3-man defensive front confused the offense and that they were trying to overcompensate for the Latu factor.

Special Teams They really hurt UCLA especially not having a decent FG specialist really hurt UCLA. And when is Chip Kelly going to realize that he needs either Keegan Jones or Sturdivant to run back kicks??

Offensive Line is a work in progress and hopefully they learn to play better as they go deeper into the season. It's not one or two guys that are a problem it's the unit as a whole and frankly I'm surprised because Drevno is a good coach and has performed miracles in the past.

Keegan Jones, he's my guy. I kept asking where he was and in two plays my question was answered. Chip Kelly needs to find more plays for him.

Dante Moore, like the Oline is a work in progress. He's going to be a special QB when his career is over at UCLA but for now he needs to learn and read the defense better. I kept hoping that he would use his legs more but he's NOT DTR and maybe that's okay.

Carson Steele had 30 carries yesterday...that roughly a third of the 97 offensive plays, Yes, I realize that the running plays are a key part of Chip Kelly's offense but when the defense is focused on stopping the run it's time rethink the offense. He did that with the two Keegan Jones plays...maybe use Harden more??

Attendance was 35,437 and it showed. I think I saw more red then blue in the crowd but maybe I'm wrong.

WSU, UCLA needed this game or the season was, for the most part, finished. Winning yesterday puts less pressure in the next game against OSU. I hate looking ahead but after OSU (I'm thinking that it's a W} then UCLA has the two Arizona schools, Stanford, and Colorado before the suc game.

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Down on the field, will pass along any pregame observations

one of the greatest Linebacker to play the game. He and Ray Nitschke were my two all time favorites in the late 60s, early 70s

Tracy, somehow I unfollowed you as a poster and am not getting anything you post on. The rivals site is impossible to navigate. Any ideas on what to do?

Will have a video of Mick Cronin’s media session a bit later. We got to watch 45 mins (observation only, no video).

Immediate thing that stood out: Aday Mara is gonna initiate the offense quite a bit from the low post. Has tremendous touch, vision.

The preview for today’s noon kickoff on Pac-12 Network:

Now with Oregon and Washington included:

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Also today, the 2023-24 men’s basketball schedule was released:


Also, as a heads up, expect something else basketball-related Friday. I can’t divulge the exact details yet but let’s just say there will be a better feel for what the complete team looks like together.

We’ll talk to Chip a little before 9 a.m.

From Mara’s Twitter feed
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I just browsed a bunch of mock NBA drafts and it appears UCLA players will be significantly represented.

I saw six Bruins mentioned across all drafts I looked at.

The top prospect was Mara, who was consistently in first round and as high as #7.

Bona was mostly shown in late first or early second and as high as #13.

Buyuktuncel was late first or second but was #12 in one.

Vide and Andrews were on and off lists but mostly second round. Vide is the higher prospect by a tad as he was on more lists and was a first rounder on one.

Mack was a second on one list.

So if that’s our rotation plus the Utah transfer and a sprinkle of Nwuba, Williams, and McClendon, we are hopefully a legit contender.

I think we have trouble shooting the 3 and defending the 3, but see us playing incredibly in the interior. Bona will need to be a perimeter defender at times that he and Mara are on the court. If he can learn not to foul, he can likely guard 2-5 with his length and quickness.

A starting lineup of Mara, Buyktuncel, Bona, Andrews, and Vide averages 6’8 1/2. Mack instead of Vide drops it to 6’8.