UCLA Football: International neutral site games we would like to see

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VANCOUVER, BC – MARCH 11: A general view of atmosphere during the 2018 Canada Sevens Rugby Tournament at BC Place on March 11, 2018 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Andrew Chin/Getty Images for TAG Heuer) /

The UCLA football team is moving in a new direction with head coach Chip Kelly and with that, they should also move in a new direction for neutral site games… over international lines.

The NCAA is trying to expand their brand with games being played in neutral sites, not just within the borders of the United States, but outside the international boundary.

The Pac-12 has recently scheduled games for both football and basketball. In recent seasons, both Stanford and Cal have played in Australia. UCLA basketball even played in China, so this could be a good opportunity for the UCLA football team to spread their love internationally.

Yes, I realize things are a bit awkward after UCLA basketball’s China trip, but if these games were to happen, (1) I guarantee Kelly would instill fear in the team to prevent any distraction and (2) I would not doubt Kelly gives them the boot from the team. Anyway, with that being said, here are a few places the football team should go…

BC Place, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Think about this Bruin fans, Vancouver in the late summer. Not too hot, not too cold. If UCLA football and the Pac-12 could get a game like this going in the biggest West Coast Canadain city, it could generate a lot of buzz. Not only that, since it is closer than going to the East Coast for the Bruins, it could easily be scheduled as a non-conference game in the first three weeks of the season.

And because of the attention, you would not need to schedule a team from across the country as schools in closer proximity could just as easily generate buzz for a Canadain game. What I am thinking is Boise State, BYU or , a school that is a it farther, Wisconsin. College football GOLD!

Additionally, if UCLA and the Pac-12 were so inclined, this could also serve as the site for a Pac-12 Conference schedule opener with Washington. Imagine what a marquee conference game would be like in a place like Vancouver? Unfortunately, this is less likely than a non-conference game as the Pac-12 schedules are quite constricting, still, it would be interesting game in the Great White North..