Dec 31, 2013; El Paso, TX, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Jim Mora on the sidelines during the fourth quarter against the Virginia Tech Hokies in the 2013 Sun Bowl at Sun Bowl Stadium. UCLA defeated Virginia Tech 42-12. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Today, the UCLA Bruins Football team has set up home-and-home games against San Diego State and Texas A&M. The UCLA Athletic Department has also adjusted the schedule with Rutgers, pushing that series back a few years. With this, UCLA will further be showcasing the #BruinRevolution across the nation for the next decade.
It came out this morning that UCLA will be renewing a home-and-home series with in-state opponent San Diego State. On August 31, 2019, the Bruins will host the Aztecs at the Rose Bowl. On September 19, 2020, UCLA will head south to San Diego. The last time UCLA and SDSU played each other was in 2009 when the Bruins beat the Aztecs, 33-14.
UCLA also released the information about the home-and-home series against Texas A&M. On September 3, 2016, the Bruins will be visiting College Station to take in the Aggies, while on September 2, 2017, Texas A&M will play UCLA at the Rose Bowl.
This is a bold move in and of itself because it not only pits the Bruins against the mighty SEC, but sets up a showdown two years in a row against a recent southern powerhouse.
Lately, UCLA has been applauded for taking their recruiting efforts into SEC country. They have not always gotten the guys they wanted, but have been able to successfully grab a few kids from the south. This series will help the Bruins advertise their brand to those southern players who would not normally be able to watch UCLA. Another smart move by head coach Jim Mora.
Finally, UCLA have pushed their series with Rutgers back from 2016 and 2017 to a home-and-home in 2020 and 2021, which starts at the Rose Bowl.
It is evident that Mora wants to advertise his brand across the country and show what UCLA will be doing in the future. Recent Bruin head coaches have played it safe in scheduling by playing smaller, mostly west coast schools, occasionally travelling past the Rocky Mountains.
With Mora at the helm, UCLA is going after some big programs and is willing to do it anytime, anyplace. In the next nine years, the Bruins will go up against the likes of Memphis, Michigan and Oklahoma. This is huge for UCLA as they attempt to show the college football world that a Revolution is Bruin in Westwood and will not be taken for granted. Well played, Coach Mora.
Mike W.R.
Twitter: @TheBigDisco