By far the biggest problem for UCLA last year was at quarterback, as the Bruins ranked 116th out of 120 teams in average passing yards per game at 141.1 and 104th in points scored at 20.2 ppg. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like any questions were answered during the Bruins’ recently completed spring practices. The new Pistol offense didn’t do much in the final scrimmage. The offense scored only three times on 14 drives. Those scores were basically negated by three turnovers — two fumbles and an interception. Junior QB Richard Brehaut went 11 for 20 for 102 yards and a touchdown. Freshman Brett Hundley went 7 of 13 for 57 yards and a touchdown and rushed five times for 3 yards. As a group, UCLA quarterbacks had 12 passes deflected. Brehaut led the first team all spring, yet was unable to distance himself from the injured Kevin Prince, last year’s struggling starter who is expected to be fully recovered from knee surgery this summer. This competition will continue into the fall.

“I don’t have a depth chart at quarterback,” Neuheisel said. “We can’t have quarterbacks playing inconsistent football if we’re going to be a winning football team. Can’t do it.”

The Bruins bring back 16 starters from last year: seven on offense, eight on defense and one kicker. The defense should be solid despite losing Akeem Ayers and Rahim Moore. Defensive end Datone Jones will be back after missing last year with a broken foot. That Bruins defense allowed 200 or more yards rushing in eight games in 2010. The return of linebacker Patrick Larimore also will help that. He was having an all-conference type season before dislocating his shoulder last October. Larimore sat out the spring but should be fine by summer.

UCLA opens the 2011 season on Sept. 3 at Houston and is 150/1 on Bodog’s NCAA football to win the national title.

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