Go Joe Bruin
Fansided

UCLA Football: Deja Blue – Bruin Football Seems Like Bruin Basketball

By Mike Regalado

facebooktwitterreddit

Things are not cheery in Westwood as the UCLA Football team is in the midst of losing season, a situation that is oddly similar to that of UCLA Basketball last season.

After being selected to win the Pac-12 South, the UCLA Football team is 3-6 in a season that could only be described as “frustrating“, similar to what the UCLA Basketball team went through last season.

It has been a long, awakward season. The Bruins entered the year with a lot of promise and have their first losing season under their current coach, who appears to be on the hot seat.

If you are not sure if this is in regards to the UCLA Football team or the UCLA Basketball team, well, it’s about both.

Related Story: The 30 Greatest UCLA Football Players of All-Time

There are a lot of similarities with both teams in the last few years.  Both started with a few winning seasons in the head coach’s tenure, but have digressed. Both have done well in recruiting, but have had flaws in coaching. Both head coaches, and here is the kicker, have insane contracts tying their them to their team with questionable buyouts. Thanks, Dan Guerrero.

Feb 18, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Steve Alford on the sidelines against the Utah Utes during the first half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Steve Alford on the sidelines against the Utah Utes during the first half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

Last season, UCLA Basketball Head Coach Steve Alford took a lot of heat for his 15-17 finish which ended with an embarrassing loss to USC and no NCAA post-season play.

This season, UCLA Football Head Coach Jim Mora has his team at 3-6 (with three games to play), they could very likely lose to USC in embarrassing fashion at the end of the season and is on track to miss postseason play.

The parallels are quite haunting.

The worst part is, like UCLA Basketball last season, we have to live through the end of what could be a  very unpleasant UCLA Football season. If the football team by chance loses their last three games and does not get to a bowl game, then you can expect the Bruins fan base to call for Mora’s termination, like they did at the end of last season with Alford.

There might be changes to the coaching staff, but for the most part, Mora still has a lot going for him.

But once again, a coach is not going to get fired and Bruin fans could be even more livid (and I would not put it past a few to fly a banner over the school calling for the UCLA Athletic Department to axe Mora).

Here is the thing, there is change. This season, the UCLA Basketball has a lot going for them. They have a Top 25 team, a stellar freshman class and a new outlook on their program. Things could be very good for the Bruins this year.

The same could happen for the football team next season. They still have a roster full of talent, their defense is stellar and recruiting should help with depth. As for the negatives, expect Mora to address that in the offseason. There might be changes to the coaching staff, but for the most part, Mora still has a lot going for him.

Next: Colorado Proves UCLA Is Not Worthy

More from Go Joe Bruin

Though this season looks really bad for Mora, he will still have a chance to right the ship. If not, there might be wholesale changes in 2017.