Mora's future depends on offensive production

Aug 18, 2017 - 7:30 PM This could be a season of unrest for UCLA, or at least it appears that way heading into Jim Mora's sixth season as the Bruins' coach.

Mora is widely considered on the hot seat because he has only 12 wins in the last two seasons, including a 4-8 record last season when the Bruins were picked by the media to win the Pac-12 South. UCLA, despite highly touted recruiting classes each year, has not won a division title since Mora's first season in 2012. He has yet to coach the Bruins to one of the biggest bowls.

But he does have junior quarterback Josh Rosen.

Rosen is trying to get back to playing as he did as a freshman (passing for nearly 3,700 yards with 23 touchdowns) after an injury-marred 2016 season, when a nerve problem in his throwing shoulder sidelined him for the last six weeks.

"We're supremely confident in our coaching staff," Rosen told the media when fall camp started.

"I can't speak as much to the defense, but offensively, I would go to war with any one of them. We have a really good crop of core leadership in the locker room. We have the same goals and process and ideas in mind. There's no miscommunication. We all know where we want to get and how we're going to get there."

Mora retooled his offensive staff after the Bruins finished second-to-last in the nation in rushing (only 84.3 yards a game). He calls his offensive line his "biggest concern" after the shortcomings last year running the ball and protecting the quarterback.

Sunny Odogwu, 6-foot-8 graduate transfer from the University of Miami, gives the Bruins an experienced right tackle, likely sharing time with Kenny Lacy.

Odogwu originally came to the United States from Nigeria at age 16 to play basketball. He followed new UCLA offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch, who had the same position at Miami. Odogwu started 14 games at Miami in 2014 but suffered season-ending injuries in 2015 and 2016 before choosing to transfer to UCLA over Michigan.

Both tackle positions and center are solidified for new offensive line coach Hank Fraley, who must judge from a three-man competition for right and left guard.

Five running backs return with playing experience. Bolu Olorunfunmi has emerged as the starter in training camp. The junior combines a punishing style of running with a decent amount of speed.

UCLA's schedule is not favorable for Mora to cool his hot seat. It includes difficult road games against Memphis, Stanford, Washington, Utah and USC. The Bruins open at home against Texas A&M, with another embattled coach in Kevin Sumlin. The loser of that game will fight an uphill battle for respect from fans and critics.

MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER: QB Josh Rosen -- The junior's ability to make plays and stay healthy will go a long way to making the Bruins contenders in the Pac-12 South. Rosen must adapt to the schemes of new offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch, whose faster pace should help the potential NFL quarterback unload the ball before getting sacked. Look for the Rosen-to-Darren Andrews connection to be one of the best in the Pac-12. Rosen said he knows Andrews, a fifth-year senior receiver, is "going to be at the right place at the right time" and that they have built a chemistry.

BREAKOUT STAR: S Nate Meadors -- After playing behind departed Fabian Moreau, Marcos Rios and Randall Goforth, Meadors, a junior, is ready to be an impact player for coach Jim Mora's defense. Despite playing in only nine games last season, Meadors totaled a respectable 35 tackles. A quarterback in high school, Meadors is known for his athleticism and speed. He also has the reputation of being a physical tackler. He tallied six defended passes in his limited time last season.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH: DE Jaelan Phillips -- He was rated the No. 1 prospect in the country in the 247Sports composite rankings, and he didn't disappoint when he enrolled early for spring practice. He's played with the first team in fall camp, and with an electric combination of size and speed at 6-foot-5 and 255 pounds, he has a chance to be a dynamic pass-rusher from the opening game.