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UCLA Football: The Not So Fierce Rivalry With Utah

By Mike Regalado

Nov 21, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Utes running back Joe Williams (28) carries the ball while pursued by UCLA Bruins linebacker Jayon Brown (12) and defensive back Nate Meadors (22) during the second half at Rice-Eccles Stadium. UCLA won 17-9. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Utes running back Joe Williams (28) carries the ball while pursued by UCLA Bruins linebacker Jayon Brown (12) and defensive back Nate Meadors (22) during the second half at Rice-Eccles Stadium. UCLA won 17-9. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
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The UCLA Football team takes on a the fierce Utah Utes today in a rivalry that really has not developed into one.

In the last five years, the Utah and UCLA football teams have had some epic battles since the Utes joined the Pac-10/12. It started in 2011 with a 31-6 smashing of the Bruins by the Utes in Rick Neuheisel‘s fnal year.

In the next season, in current head coach Jim Mora’s first year, the Bruins grinded out a 21-14 victory at the Rose Bowl. The was a hot midday affair that developed as slowly as this rivalry has.

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In 2013, things seemed to be kicked up a notch when the Bruins went to Salt Lake City on a cold, rainy, snowy night that had the UCLA defense pick off Utah QB Travis Wilson six times.

That games ended with a game-saving interception from true freshman Myles Jack.

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The next season was a different story. Utah had their revenge at the Rose Bowl in a game where the Utes sacked UCLA QB Brett Hundley 10 times. That game hurt because a win could have propelled the Bruins well into the Top 5 in the country, but once again, the Bruins could not get a “W” in the most crucial of games.

That led to last season in the SLC where both teams needed a win to stay alive in the Pac-12 South race. It was a defensive battle as both offenses struggled to score, but UCLA squeaked out the win.

It seems UCLA and Utah have had the makings of a fierce rivalry, but when you take a closer look, there does not seem to be any animosity between the two schools.

For the most part, Utah and UCLA seem to be two Pac-12 schools that may actually root for the other team when they are not playing each other. Aside from a few outliers, Bruins and Utes fans can coexist very well.

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Though you might see a back and forth defensive battle today, and even if there are a few scraps taking place in the game, both teams will continue on with a certain level of respect. Though I would love to see UCLA beat the Utes and run the table to capture the South Division, I, and I am sure a few other Bruin fans, would not mind if Utah went on to take the division. But that is just my opinion.