2006 UCLA Bruins Football Preview

Welcome to Maddux's 2006 UCLA Bruins season preview. As usual we have taken the time to break down the team, while providing information about the university, and the 2006 UCLA Bruins Football Schedule. If you are wagering on college football this season consider using Maddux Sports' College football picks for the added edge over the sportsbooks in 2006. In addition be sure to bookmark our free college football lines service for the upcoming season.

Coach: Karl Dorrell (4th year at UCLA)
Team Name: Bruins
2005 Overall Record: 10-2
2005 Pac 10 Conference Record 6-2
Returning Starters: 12

This team proved it could score last season, averaging 39.1 PPG (5th in the nation). Ben Olson, who has good arm strength and size, should be up to taking over at the QB position.

Slashing tailback Chris Markey, a junior, will start due to the fact that TB Maurice Drew made a surprise move to the NFL. Markey was the Co-MVP of last year’s Sun Bowl and averaged 5.1 YDS/Carry in the regular season. He’s got good speed and quickness.

The Bruins field a solid group of receivers with Junior Taylor, Joe Cowan and Marcus Everett leading the way. The offensive line has experience but is still a question.

On defense, the team ranked 113th in the country in 2005. They could not stop the run or pass. However, Justin Hickman, who led the club with 5 and 1/2 sacks last year, should be even better this season.

New defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker brings a 4-3 look and an aggressive philosophy, which should help. Also, the team would welcome a corps of defensive starters that stays healthy.

UCLA surprised everyone last season by going 10 and 2, but they won’t achieve the same record this year without more defensive help. Utah, Oregon and Arizona State are all key games that can go either way. Beating USC at the end of this season would be a major upset.

UCLA Bruins 2006 Schedule

Date	Opponent	Home/Road
Sep 2	Utah	Home
Sep 9	Rice	Home
Sep 23	Washington	Road
Sep 30	Stanford	Home
Oct 7	Arizona	Home
Oct 14	Oregon	Road
Oct 21	Notre Dame	Road
Oct 28	Washington State	Home
Nov 4	California	Road
Nov 11	Oregon State	Home
Nov 18	Arizona State	Road
Dec 2	USC	Home

 

For more data on the 2006 UCLA football program, view the Bruins team website or scroll down below to read up on the rest of the Pac 10 competition.