UCLA Football: 3 Keys to Victory over the USC Trojans

With the UCLA football team playing the USC Trojans in the annual rivalry game, Go Joe Bruin goes a little deeper into what the Bruins should do to claim a victory.

How can the UCLA football team beat USC? How can these transitioning Bruins defeat the reeling Trojans? How can Chip Kelly bRuin Clay Helton‘s day?

Though UCLA is 2-8 and USC is 5-5, they are not much different. It has been quite the drama all season long, but with very different paths taken. UCLA was as bad as some expected, but for those that follow them on a weekly basis, they have noticed that improvements have been made. For USC, a team that was picked to win the Pac-12 South, they are not yet bowl eligible with two games remaining. So this should be an interesting game.

1. Limit the Mistakes

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It has been over two months since UCLA put this new Chip Kelly plan into action. There have been sporadic instances of greatness mixed in with those pesky head-scratching teachable moments… all the team needs to do now is limit those miscues and then they will win. Simple.

The Bruins cannot overthink things and they sure as hell cannot get into their own heads. They have been operating in this system over the course of ten games. If there was a time to shine and put together a memorable presentation in this unimpressive first season, this would it. It is a rivalry game and the eyes of the city will be on the Rose Bowl, so for god’s sake, put on a show for the people, won’t you, Bruins?

2. Get in THEIR Heads

Again, the Bruins need to stay out of their own heads… and get into their heads.

Football is not just a physical game, but also a mental one. The human psyche has varying levels of stability that differs from person to person and a good coach can help strengthen those minds. But what if the coach is not instilling that type of learning into their players or what if the team is split in twain because of perceived favortism or what if a veteran defenseman can get easily riled up and draw a senseless flag or what if the players are not sure if their coach will be there next year?

This type of knowledge can be used against a foe in battle. There is always talking behind the scenes and the Bruins can utilize this intel to distract the Trojans and throw them off their game. We have seen what happens with the Bruins when they overthink things, now make USC do the same.

3. Run. The. BALL!

Let me emphasize this “key” by playing a song by classic rockers, Pink Floyd. It is called, “Run Like Hell”. They say the word “run” 36 times in the song. I figured if they did it, I won’t have to.

There is a reason this has been the only “Key to Victory” to make consecutive appearances in the last several weeks. It is because the Bruins should run the ball.

Let me put it to you this way, in 2016, UCLA was 125th (out of 128 teams) in the nation in rushing, averaging 84.2 yards per game. In 2017, they were 112th with 116.4. This year they are 84th with 148.3 yards per game. But to get a more analytical take, the Bruins are 30th in Rushing S&P+, a stats that measure success rate.

Imagine that. In one season, Chip Kelly has made the Bruins one of the more successful running teams in the nation after being near the bottom each of the last two years. This should not be a surprise considering the offensive line has been playing better under OL coach Justin Frye, the offense has been slowly mastering the inside zone read, and a beacon of light, RB Joshua Kelley, has made the Bruins run game something to be feared.

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So pretty please, with a cherry on top. Run the damn ball.