3 Bold Predictions for UCLA vs Cincinnati Week 1 Matchup

Chip Kelly enters his second season at the helm of the UCLA Bruins, looking to attain the kind of turnaround Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell oversaw in his second season when he led the Bearcats to an 11-2 record after going 4-8 in his first season. Cincinnati is looking to pick up where it left off last year, while UCLA just wants to forget. They'll face off in Week 1 of the college football season, and here are a few bold predictions for the showdown.

1. Cincinnati Runs For Over 300 Yards

Military Bowl Presented by Northrop Grumman - Virginia Tech v Cincinnati / Rob Carr/Getty Images

Cincinnati returns its top three rushers from a season ago in which the Bearcats averaged almost 240 yards per game. The team's ground game will start off hot on Thursday against UCLA, with Michael Warren II leading the charge. The junior running back rushed for over 1,300 yards and 19 touchdowns for the Bearcats last season, and he'll keep it going against UCLA.

2. UCLA Scores 6 Touchdowns on Offense

UCLA v Arizona State / Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images

The Chip Kelly-led offense has had a year to settle in at UCLA, and the continuity will pay dividends for the Bruins Thursday. Cincinnati's offense averaged a hair under 35 points per game last season, meaning if UCLA wants to win, it'll most likely be a shootout. A Chip Kelly-coached team is built around the offense, and Thursday will be no different. UCLA's offense will show it can keep pace with some of the best in the nation.

3. UCLA Stun the Bearcats on the Road

Cincinnati v UCLA / Harry How/Getty Images

Cincinnati has not lost a home season opener since 2001. The Bearcats have defended their home turf well, but UCLA will find a way to win this game in Cincinnati. The coaching staff remains unchanged, the sophomore quarterback is a year removed from being a confused freshman, and Kelly has nothing to lose at this point. Dorian Thompson-Robinson comes out firing, leading the team to an upset victory.