UCLA at Cincinnati 8/29/19 - College Football Picks & Predictions

On Thursday August 29 the UCLA Bruins visit Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio to play the Cincinnati Bearcats in the opening game of the 2019 college football regular season for both.

The Bruins were 3-9 last season. UCLA will have Dorian Thompson-Robinson back at quarterback but two other QBs are vying for the starting job including Wilton Speight. Running back Joshua Kelly returns to take the pressure of the quarterback with his skill and speed. The wide receiver corps is deep and talented. The defense is the big question mark especially the secondary.

Cincinnati finished the season 11-2 last year and is expected to battle again for the American Athletic Conference East division title. The running game was the strong point of the Cincinnati offense and star back Michael Warren II returns, while Gerrid Doaks returns after missing all of 2018. Desmond Ridder is a true dual-threat at quarterback giving Cincinnati a dangerous offense. Dorian Thompson-Robinson threw for 1,311 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions last season at UCLA. The top running back returning for UCLA is Joshua Kelly who rushed for 1,243 yards and 12 touchdowns. Theo Howard leads all returning UCLA receivers from last season with 51 receptions for 677 yards and four touchdowns.

Returning Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder threw for 2,445 yards, 20 touchdowns and five interceptions. Michael Warren II is the top returning back. Warren rushed for 1,328 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2018. Rashad Medaris is the leading receiver back from last season. Medaris in 2018 caught 26 passes for 472 yards and three TDs.