Improved UCLA Bruins Hope For Seven to Eight Wins in 2009

New coach Brady Hoke has assembled a staff with connections to UCLA (new offensive Al Borges and new defensive coordinator Rocky Long held those same positions at one time at UCLA) and brings his Aztecs into the Rose Bowl for the Bruins' opening game.

The Aztecs are in complete rebuilding mode after finishing 2008 with two wins. Last year the Aztecs allowed 35 points or more a whopping eight times, and have a long way to go before they are competitive.

Verdict: Must Win

Rookie head coach Lane Kiffin brings a new brash attitude to Knoxville, and the Volunteers should be much improved from last season.

Tennessee seeks revenge for an embarrassing opening loss last year at the Rose Bowl, a game that they had no business losing after dominating the first half.

The Vols feature a tough D led by Kiffin's father Monte, but can be beat despite a challenging home field advantage. The Bruins will have to be perfect to leave with a W.

Verdict: Could Win

The Bruins two game series with Kansas State begins this year with a matchup at the Rose Bowl.

New coach Bill Snyder reportedly tried to pull out of this game early in the year, attempting to return Kansas State to their glory years when they packed their non-conference schedule with less than stellar opponents.

Kansas State finished last season with five wins, but three of those came against North Texas, Montana State, and Louisiana-Lafayette. The pourous Wildcat defense gave up 430 points last season, and star QB Josh Freeman left for the NFL.

The Bruins should not sleep on this one as they look ahead to the start of their Pac-10 schedule.

Verdict: Must Win

The Bruins should be well rested after a bye week, while the Cardinal should be equally rested after playing Washington.

Close games are the norm when the Bruins and Cardinal meet, and Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh has completely rebuilt the program. These two teams will be in close competition to finish in the top half of the Pac-10 standings.

Verdict: Should Win

The Ducks are capable of challenging for the Pac-10 crown, and figure to be highly ranked heading into this matchup at the Rose Bowl. If the Ducks get by Boise State in the first week, they should be 5-0.

Oregon has tremendous talent in the offensive backfield with quarterback Jeremiah Masoli and running back LeGarrette Blount, and averaged over 40 points a game last year.

This will be the first chance for the Bruins to pull off a major upset and would be the biggest win of the Neuheisel era.

Verdict: Hope to win

The Bruins second straight game against a Pac-10 contender is also a home game. The Bruins have to hope that the Bears are worn down, as they will come into the Rose Bowl after games against Oregon and USC.

Cal returns a defense that was ranked 26th in the nation last year, and have one of the best running backs in the nation in Jahvid Best, who averaged 8.1 yards per carry last year.

Verdict: Hope to win

In another matchup of seemingly equal teams, the Wildcats and Bruins will battle for a spot in the upper half of the Pac-10 standings, and quite possibly one of the Pac-10 bowl bids.

Arizona's surprising offense ranked 16th in the country in 2008, however the Wildcats will be breaking in a new starting QB.

The Bruins need to look out for TE Rob Gronkowski, who caught 47 balls last year. Arizona has beaten UCLA three out of the last four times they played.

Verdict: Should Win

Mike Riley has built a solid program at Oregon State, and the Beavers have been to five bowl games in the last six years. Beaver running back Jacquizz Rogers is arguably the best in the Pac-10, and he and six other starters return to an offense that averaged 30.5 points per game. The UCLA game is sandwiched on the Oregon State schedule between their games against USC and Cal, so the Beavers should be on upset alert.

Verdict: Could Win

Washington will not go without a win this year (they play Idaho), but they are going through another period of rebuilding with another coach, Steve Sarkisian.

Jake Locker is a great athlete and will keep the Huskies in some games by himself, but this one-time Pac-10 powerhouse is a shadow of it's former self. The Huskies averaged only 13.3 points per game (117th in the nation) last year and gave up 38.6 points per game (116th in the nation).

The Huskies will be much improved, but the Bruins simply cannot give this one away.

Verdict: Must Win

The Bruins never have an easy game in the Palouse, but should be able to beat the Cougars, who may finish last in the Pac-10.

Washington State finished 2-11 last year, with wins against Portland State and winless Washington, and their eleven losses came by an average margin of 40 points. The Bruins cannot afford to lose this game.

Verdict: Must Win

The Bruins have beaten the Sun Devils in three of their last four matchups and look to make up for a complete meltdown at Sun Devil Stadium last year. The Sun Devils scored four defensive touchdowns in last year's game, matching an NCAA record.

The Sun Devils have some uncertainty at the quarterback position after the departure of Rudy Carpenter, but have a talented defense.

ASU will come into the Rose Bowl after consecutive games against Cal, USC, and Oregon, a stretch that will make or break their season.

Verdict: Could Win

The Trojans are king of the conference and have been for awhile. No reason to believe that they will not be Pac-10 Champions again.

Verdict: Hope To Win

Barring injuries, UCLA should return to a bowl game after winning seven games. Eight wins would be a pleasant surprise and build momentum towards another solid recruiting class.