They’re short on cachet

Kelly says big-name opponents would boost Bruins crowds.

Build a schedule filled with brand names and they will come.

That was Chip Kelly’s message Monday when the UCLA coach addressed the team’s sagging attendance at the Rose Bowl. Already this season, the Bruins have drawn the two smallest crowds since they began calling the venerable stadium home in 1982, including 29,344 on Saturday against South Alabama.

“Attendance, I think when you look at it, especially here on the West Coast, is probably relative to your opponent and really knowledge of the opponent,” Kelly said, alluding to a lack of awareness about South Alabama.

“People know the name of LSU [a UCLA opponent last season that drew 68,123]. I think what’s kinda lost on me is that you don’t understand that South Alabama, just ’cause it’s a regional school from the Sun Belt [Conference], but that’s as good a

AT FOLSOM FIELD Saturday, 11 a.m. PDT

TV: Pac-12 Networks

Ashley Landis Associated Press CHIP KELLY and Dorian Thompson-Robinson in a win over South Alabama that drew 29,344, one of the smallest UCLA crowds at the Rose Bowl.