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UCLA Football: Nine Inch Nails in the coffin of a ‘Downward Spiral’ season

By Mike Regalado

PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: Head coach Jim Mora of the UCLA Bruins reacts in the game against the UNLV Rebels at the Rose Bowl on September 10, 2016 in Pasadena, California. UCLA won 42-21. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: Head coach Jim Mora of the UCLA Bruins reacts in the game against the UNLV Rebels at the Rose Bowl on September 10, 2016 in Pasadena, California. UCLA won 42-21. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /
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The UCLA Football team is in the midst of their second losing season and it does not look to get any better. Undoubtedly, with the current leadership, they are in a Downward Spiral.

If this UCLA Football season was an album, it would be Nine Inch Nail’s Downward Spiral.

RELATED: What is left for the Bruins in 2017?

Here are some thoughts on the Bruins’ season aided by the songs of NIN’s most iconic and desolate album.

1. Mr. Self Destruct – “I am the end of all your dreams (and I control you).”

The UCLA Football team under head coach Jim Mora’s tenure and the Bruin Revolution started with a bang. A 9-5 season was followed by two 10-win seasons and an 8-5 season. Since then the Bruins have only been able to post four wins in the last two seasons. Though 2017 still has three games left, it does not seem likely that the Bruins will make this a winning season with ASU, USC and Cal left on the docket. I foresee one win among these three.

2. Piggy – “All of my fears came true/Black and blue and broken bones”

Few thought UCLA would end up like this. Many hoped they would bounce back. That did not happen and the descend into obscurity began. The Bruins may be suffering from injuries, but so are the Bruin faithful. Hobbling. Hoping. Waiting for this all to end.

3. Heresy – “If there is a hell, I’ll see you there”

We wanted to believe 2016 was an anomaly because Josh Rosen was injured. We wanted to believe Mora could put the Bruins back on top. Unfortunately we have been put through hell. There is no more believing. The future is laid out and it continues to head downward.

4. March of the Pigs – “I want to break it up/I want to smash it up”

It has become evident that UCLA is not where they are suppose to be. They lost to Washington 44-23. They helped Utah break their four-game losing streak with a 48-17 victory. The Bruins have allowed 44 or more points seven times in their nine games this season. It is time to rip it up and start again.

5. Closer – “You can have my absence of faith/You can have my everything”

UCLA fans have turned away. As much as we want to believe, it is just not happening and our faith has dwindled. We will be Bruin fans to the end, but there is now a need for change.

6. Ruiner – “You had all of them on your side, didn’t you? Didn’t you?”

The Bruin Revolution made fans believe. They made fans think big things were coming. That has all fallen to the wayside. Bruin fans were right there with Mora. That has all been ruined now.

7. The Becoming – “The me that you know/He doesn’t come around much”

Something has disappeared from the UCLA Football program. A void has been created and there has been nothing left to fill it except false hope. The Bruins were on top and became something else. Something dismal.

8. I Do Not Want This – “I’m losing ground/You know how this world can beat you down”

I do not want this. I do not want this. I do not want this. I do not want this. I do not want this. I do not want this. I do not want this. I do not want this. I do not want this. I do not want this. I do not want this.

9. Big Man with a Gun – “I can reduce you if you want”

We didn’t want. No body wanted UCLA to be like this. Not even the coaches. Still, it was their way or no way. Unfortunately, their way is not working and we are stuck with the inability of leaders to make the necessary changes to become great again.

10. A Warm Place

UCLA is no longer on the sunny side. UCLA has moved into the shadows. It is cold and no one cares.

11. Eraser – “Scar you/Break you/Lose me”

The toll of the last two seasons has pushed UCLA fans to ask for change. The pain of four wins in two season leaves a mark. Mora has lost the fan base. He has erased any momentum he had with the first four seasons. It is time for a new regime.

12. Reptile – “Need to contaminate, to alleviate this loneliness”

As much as one would like to see Mora turn this around, it seems we are past the point of no return. Separate the problem and find new answers.

13. The Downward Spiral – “Problems do have solutions, you know”

And the solution to this problem, the problem of being in a downward spiral, is to change the pilot. If not, then down, down, down goes the Blue and Gold.

Next: UCLA Football vs. Utah 2017: Post game wrap up and thoughts

14. Hurt – “You could have it all/My empire of dirt/I will let you down/I will make you hurt”

“If I could start again. A million miles away. I would keep myself. I would find a way.” It is time to start again. We do not have to hurt. We can do better. Go Bruins.