Sep 6, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins celebrate with running back Paul Perkins (24) after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter of the game against the Memphis Tigers at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Emotions are as much a part of football as the halftime show and can have similar characteristics. Some are down-right bad and some are really freaking good. Still, with UCLA’s ups and downs as they are, we try to help you with the proper emotional reaction to the UCLA Vs Texas game at AT&T Stadium, no matter the outcome. Despite what happens on the field, there is always another day to fight, fight, fight. Here are our game day emotional scenarios and how to react properly to any outcome.
UCLA loses to Texas
Betsided
You can forget about fans heading to the airport to welcome them home. Sure, this is not a championship game but if UCLA loses many “fans” will treat this loss as if it was in a championship game. UCLA has not looked the way many fans expected them to in preseason. You would have assumed that they already crowned UCLA national champions. Look, football is a tough, brutal game that needs to be taken one step at a time, as Coach Jim Mora always preaches.
But yes, IF the Bruins fall to Texas, that would be mind altering but not meltdown-worthy. Texas has not looked good in their first two games, but they are on the right track with first year coach Charlie Strong. Now if Texas blows out UCLA, let us say 66-3, that would be sufficient enough evidence to meltdown. But until then…
Proper Emotional Reaction: Sulk for 24 hours and get over it.
UCLA beats Texas by a touchdown or less
Consider this enough of a reason for the Bruin fan base to lose it. The Bruins were expected to be a juggernaut this year and it appears as though they are not all on the same page. Whether that is true, there are many things to consider, like UCLA not being completely on the same page. It happens, there are several teams that have not looked like the first-rate team fans thought they would be, UCLA is no different.
The Bruins had an excellent defensive outing against Virginia with the offense stalling. Last week, the offense was killer as the defense gave up a lot to what many fans thought was an inferior team. The truth is, Virginia and Memphis, whilst not on anyone’s ballot for the the #1 spot in the nation, are good and have clearly improved from last season. I think in this situation, it was that UCLA’s offense and defense have had clear faults which the coaches are looking to correct.
Texas is not great, but they have a good coach that is slowly trying to give them identity. It is not unlikely for Texas to go down without a fight, especially in a transplanted home game for the Brunt Orange.
Proper Emotional Reaction: Happiness. They escaped Jerry World with a “W”. When was the last time YOU did that?
UCLA wins by two or three touchdowns
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This is the end result Bruins will be hoping for, especially when it is the result they expected to see in the first two weeks. We all know UCLA is good, they just have to bring it all together and what better way than a nationally televised game in the biggest football playground on the planet?
There are many Bruins from Texas and they will be looking to make a showing for their team in front of their home state, so emotions will be high, but they also have to be in check. That goes for Bruin fans, no matter the outcome. This would be ideal to not only calm the Bruin faithful, but to actually showcase the talent of this team.
Proper Emotional Reaction: Satisfaction. Bruins can sleep better knowing UCLA is where they need to be.
UCLA blows the doors off AT&T Stadium with a 21+ point win
Nov 30, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins coach Jim Mora celebrates at the end of the game against the Southern California Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
If UCLA completely annihilates the Longhorns, that would be fantastic. The Bruins have what it takes to rout teams and it is possible if the offense and defense can have complete games. If this happens, UCLA can do a lot of damage, not only in the Pac-12, but amongst the rest of the college football elite.
NOW, if they do smash Texas, DO NOT assume that the Bruins are national title contenders. One may be inclined to overreact about how good this team is, which they might be, but taking the high and mighty road never works for any one (cough*cough*USC*cough*cough). The Bruins have a long way to go before they can be crowned anything. One thing is for sure though, the Bruins have stumbled along the way and could do it again, at that point we do not want you to have a stroke because of a misstep.
There is a lot of football to be played and fans as well as the team have to focus on the journey and not the destination, but if they do wreck Texas…
Proper Emotional Reaction: A sense of pride and elated emotions. Celebrate for the next 24 hours and get over it. The next game is against the 2013 South Division winner, Arizona State, which means it is back to work for UCLA.