Here are five examples of teams that struggled in their season opener but went on to have successfull seasons.
1984 Florida Gators: The Gators lost to the Miami Hurricanes, 32–20, to begin the 1984 season. However, Florida bounced back in a big way by winning nine straight games after starting the season 0-1-1. The Gators that season displayed remarkable resiliency following a challenging start and ended the season with a 9-1-1 record. UCLA is hoping to have success like Florida did that season after struggling in their season opener against Utah.
1988 Florida State Seminoles: FSU opened 1988 with a much-anticipated rematch versus their in-state rivals, the Miami Hurricanes, after their in-state rivals won a national championship the previous season. On the road, they were thrashed 31-3 against the Hurricanes. However, Florida State bounced back hugely and ended the 88 season with an 11-1 record, a Sugar Bowl triumph against Auburn, and a No. 3 final ranking. UCLA lost by 33 at home to Utah, and they hope to bounce back like FSU did back in 1988.
2024 Clemson Tigers: Clemson opened up the 2024 season with a 34-3 blowout defeat to Georgia in the Aflac Kickoff. However, they would respond by winning their next six games, and they would go on to defeat SMU in the ACC championship game. The Tigers were also one of the 12 teams to make it to the College Football Playoffs. UCLA can bounce back after its season-opening loss like Clemson did last season.
2023 LSU Tigers: LSU struggled in their season opener against Florida State, losing to the Seminoles 45-24 in the Camping World Kickoff. The Tigers responded and won ten games that season, including a New Year's Day Bowl win over Wisconsin.
2016 Oklahoma Sooners: Oklahoma suffered a double-digit defeat to Houston in its season opener that season. They also lost to Ohio State by 21 in week three play, but they firmly finished the season winning their last 10 games. They defeated their in-state rivals in the Big 12 championship by beating Oklahoma State by 18 and they defeated Auburn by 16 in the Sugar Bowl.
The Bruins have two non-conference games left against UNLV and New Mexico. This is a crucial opportunity for the team to regroup, build confidence, and work out the kinks exposed against Utah. An early 2-1 start would be much better heading into Big Ten play.
A couple of wins against teams like Washington, Nebraska, and their crosstown rival USC would be a significant step toward a successful season and a bowl bid. Defeating Indiana on the road would be an upset and would completely change the season's narrative.
Utah's loss was a harsh introduction, but it was also a learning experience. For the season to be a success, they will need to show growth and improvement throughout the year. There is still a chance for the team and its new quarterback to prove themselves against the rest of their schedule and salvage the season.