2014 Schedule Preview: UCLA Bruins

Oct 3, 2013; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; UCLA Bruins wide receiver Jordan Payton (9) runs past Utah Utes defensive back Davion Orphey (11) into the end zone during the second quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports

Wide Receiver

Offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone likes to keep defenses guessing. Mazzone used three and four-receiver sets to spread the ball around last year. Defenses couldn’t key on one player, because Hundley had two or three other options on many plays.

The Bruins will need to replace leading receiver Shaq Evans. Who steps up is anyone’s guess. Devin Lucien has the talent, but inconsistency hurt him last season. Lucien also suffered a head injury in fall practice, but should be fine by the Texas game. Devin Fuller is still learning how to play the slot position. Jordan Payton could eventually become Hundley’s favorite target because of his solid route-running ability.

The lack of a big play receiver could help the Longhorns in run defense. If Quandre Diggs and Duke Thomas can match up one-on-one with a Lucien or Payton, the safeties could play closer to the line of scrimmage to support the run. That strategy could also backfire with a quarterback of Hundley’s ability. This should be an interesting battle to watch all game.