If you are a UCLA football player, you should probably stop reading this article. There is nothing for you here. We can meet up again on Sunday, thanks!
With the Bruins taking on the Utah Utes (3-1, 0-1) this weekend, that is the only thing that should be on their minds. As far as the Bruins (4-0, 1-0) go, this is the last game of the season (until the next one). The UCLA coaching staff has been very good under Jim Mora‘s tutelage in keeping the team focused on the task at hand and not letting look toward future games and these next two days are going to be some of the most important to do that. Why?
Arizona 31, #2 Oregon 24
Arizona’s 31-24 upset win knocks Oregon out of the playoff hunt for now. http://t.co/ZiTeqXSqjW pic.twitter.com/rpnQQTXRoV
— Yahoo Sports College Football (@YahooSportsCFB) October 3, 2014
That is what happened last night on a Thursday edition of college football. The Oregon Ducks fell at home to the Arizona Wildcats, a team that has now beat them two years in a row. Last season, Arizona pulled off a shocker at home when they beat Oregon in Tucson. One of the factors in that game was that Ducks QB Marcus Mariota played with an injury that hampered his game. There is no such injury this time as the Wildcats took out the #2 team in the nation in their own home.
This is big. It is big because Oregon is the next opponent UCLA will face after Utah, which is why the Bruins CANNOT LOOK PAST THIS WEEKEND!
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Right now, for UCLA, there is no Oregon. It has to be all about Utah. The Utes gave the Bruins a bit of a scare last year in a game that ended horrifically for Utah. It was a battle to the end that UCLA pulled out with an impressive performance by the defense who snagged six interceptions. This game against Utah will not be easy and there has to be 100% focus on the team in red that comes out of the opposing tunnel at the Rose Bowl.
If UCLA wants to think about the future, they need to not think about the future. It is as simple as that.
The Bruins will have their shot at the Ducks with a chance to make them lose two games straight. But if UCLA does not pay attention, there is a chance that Oregon can make UCLA lose two games. No Bruin wants to see that.
As far as Arizona beating Oregon, there is nothing to see here. Act like it never happened.