Ucla 8/29 7:00 espn

[Gilenerm]

As we close in on the game, based on some reading of articles in the LA Times, I suspect this game will be much harder to win than what most people seem to think. UCLA seems to have upgraded at a lot of poistions and gained speed on offense. I'm still not sold on their QB but he should better than last year for sure.

I hope no one thinks this is a walk over game! UCLA is still a good program with good talent. A 2nd year under Kelly and this team will be much improved. Just like we were last year! We do have home field advantage, but we still have to show up on the turf. Their o-line should be decent, so their QB could have some time for those speed receivers. On defense, they are missing a couple of key players and will be playing young. If we can get going on offense and our o-line holds up, we could have a fun game.

I may be really hoarse on Friday at work!!

[Lobot]

Seems as though the remaining starting inside linebacker for UCLA, Bo Calvert, is indefintely ineligible. Seems like an issue.

[swilsonsp4]

Here's today's LA Times article on UCLA's preparations for UC:

https://www.latimes.com/sports/ucla/story/2019-08-24/

[Lobot]

Here's the 2 deep according to BCJ

https://247sports.com/college/cincin...ame-134781427/

[Lobot]

Some comments on the 2 deep. We have Seniors and Grads that are down the depth chart and in some cases they're former starters. This team is still really young especially behind most of the starters. We cannot afford injuries on the lines. In case you're wondering where Tavion Thomas is, he's in the doghouse.

[Greg7173]

Anybody know what happened to Blue Smith??

[Lobot]

Anybody know what happened to Blue Smith??

Minor Foot injury if I’m not mistaken.

[BigDaddyCornHusker]

Freshman speedster Tre Tucker will be the kickoff returner. Should be fun to watch.

[Lobot]

Freshman speedster Tre Tucker will be the kickoff returner. Should be fun to watch.

I hoping he’ll be what we’ve been missing since Gilyard. We’ve needed a dangerous return guy for a while. My only concern with Tucker is that he’s not a big guy at 5’9 185 so I have this feeling he’s gonna get knocked down on first contact or go untouched and there may not be much in between both in the return game and on offense.

[swilsonsp4]

I hoping he’ll be what we’ve been missing since Gilyard. We’ve needed a dangerous return guy for a while. My only concern with Tucker is that he’s not a big guy at 5’9 185 so I have this feeling he’s gonna get knocked down on first contact or go untouched and there may not be much in between both in the return game and on offense.

The two most important things a KOR specialist must do are to make a good decision as to whether to field the ball and then don't cough it up. Preferably, he's then able to break free.

[coach]

I believe he returned kicks in high school, and he's always been a wide out so he should be fine. The bigger issues with returners are often guys who have not played offense regularly like a db or safety. Ball safety for an offensive player is stressed big time so all you can do is turn him loose.

[swilsonsp4]

Some comments on the 2 deep. We have Seniors and Grads that are down the depth chart and in some cases they're former starters. This team is still really young especially behind most of the starters. We cannot afford injuries on the lines. In case you're wondering where Tavion Thomas is, he's in the doghouse.

Cincinnati.com report that Thomas will miss probably at least the first two games. He apparently just came back after missing part of camp.

[Lobot]

Just so everyone's aware, there's a apparently a rumor floating through campus that James WIggins blew up his ACL and is done for the season. I'm hearing this 3rd hand and definitely CAN NOT confirm it currently. I would not expect anyone from the Athletic Department to address this rumor before the game even if it's true. If it's true, we'll probably find out at game time.

[Lobot]

The radio call will be on 550 WKRC. Bengals and Reds are both happening at the same time we play.

[Lobot]

Here's the Radio podcast from last night:

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/71-uc...share&pr=false