He cannot lose his 6th in a row to go 0-6 vs Shaw.
The narrative must change for UCLA. We've out recruited them for 5 years; we have a super talent at QB; and a Sr. dominated Defense. Stanford is breaking in a new Qb, new OL; and they have a weakened front 7. This is the most beatable they've been in a while.
Another loss to a Stanford team that is in a transition year would be a serious indictment of the UCLA program and Mora as the head coach. Stanford will be a bigger, stronger, more experienced team again in 2017. This is the year. It really looks like now or never. If Mora can't win a home game now; with the more experienced team?
This is where Trevor, the mental coach, may come into play. Shaw obviously laughs at Mora and his mentality. He's been in Mora's head. I hope Mora has spent the whole week with Trevor by his side. And in turn, I hope it results in UCLA's team (with Mora #1) being mentally and emotionally prepared for a battle with a normally better coached, better prepared, mentally tougher team. Composure and focus is a key to beating Stanford and it starts at the top.
I have had major doubts about Mora for the last 2 years. I WANT him to get this team to a 10 win/ Pac12 championship level; but I just continue to feel Mora hasn't put in nearly enough work to get us there. I see coaching hires that were lazy and shortsighted(because he thought he was gone). I've seen lackadaisical recruiting efforts. I've seen guys retained that should've been replaced. There have been internal cultural issues with this program. Any team that has 10-12 guys suspended spread out over the OOC schedule has issues.
I do not believe Mora is a long term answer. He was a great guy to come in and 'turn around' the program when it was really down. He had fire; he had the brash bravado that the program needed. But the fire waned. I believe if he truly embraced being a college football coach and lived in the moment; this program would've already taken the next step from being a 8-4/9-3 program into being a 10-2/11-1 program. ironically enough; he likely would've landed the elusive 3rd chance in the NFL if he had lived in the moment.
This game could jumpstart UCLA into a big season. And in turn could give Mora a much needed boost to his reputation as a coach. But a loss could really cement him as an also-ran. Let's be honest, UCLA doesn't have a single 'signature win' vs a top 10 team in 5 years. Beating 7-8 win sanctioned SC teams with fired coaches just aren't that impressive.
I don't dislike Mora. Many accuse me of "you just don't like Mora!" . That's bs. He's a better guy than many who reach that level. I actually think he can be a very good college coach if he's fully engaged; and flanked by good coordinators. Certainly good enough to push UCLA past the Donahue era. That's what is so frustrating. I just expect more than he has given.
With that said. I will be at the Rose Bowl on Saturday. Cheering my ass off... Just like I did in College Station; just like I do every home game. Win or lose. Go Bruins
The narrative must change for UCLA. We've out recruited them for 5 years; we have a super talent at QB; and a Sr. dominated Defense. Stanford is breaking in a new Qb, new OL; and they have a weakened front 7. This is the most beatable they've been in a while.
Another loss to a Stanford team that is in a transition year would be a serious indictment of the UCLA program and Mora as the head coach. Stanford will be a bigger, stronger, more experienced team again in 2017. This is the year. It really looks like now or never. If Mora can't win a home game now; with the more experienced team?
This is where Trevor, the mental coach, may come into play. Shaw obviously laughs at Mora and his mentality. He's been in Mora's head. I hope Mora has spent the whole week with Trevor by his side. And in turn, I hope it results in UCLA's team (with Mora #1) being mentally and emotionally prepared for a battle with a normally better coached, better prepared, mentally tougher team. Composure and focus is a key to beating Stanford and it starts at the top.
I have had major doubts about Mora for the last 2 years. I WANT him to get this team to a 10 win/ Pac12 championship level; but I just continue to feel Mora hasn't put in nearly enough work to get us there. I see coaching hires that were lazy and shortsighted(because he thought he was gone). I've seen lackadaisical recruiting efforts. I've seen guys retained that should've been replaced. There have been internal cultural issues with this program. Any team that has 10-12 guys suspended spread out over the OOC schedule has issues.
I do not believe Mora is a long term answer. He was a great guy to come in and 'turn around' the program when it was really down. He had fire; he had the brash bravado that the program needed. But the fire waned. I believe if he truly embraced being a college football coach and lived in the moment; this program would've already taken the next step from being a 8-4/9-3 program into being a 10-2/11-1 program. ironically enough; he likely would've landed the elusive 3rd chance in the NFL if he had lived in the moment.
This game could jumpstart UCLA into a big season. And in turn could give Mora a much needed boost to his reputation as a coach. But a loss could really cement him as an also-ran. Let's be honest, UCLA doesn't have a single 'signature win' vs a top 10 team in 5 years. Beating 7-8 win sanctioned SC teams with fired coaches just aren't that impressive.
I don't dislike Mora. Many accuse me of "you just don't like Mora!" . That's bs. He's a better guy than many who reach that level. I actually think he can be a very good college coach if he's fully engaged; and flanked by good coordinators. Certainly good enough to push UCLA past the Donahue era. That's what is so frustrating. I just expect more than he has given.
With that said. I will be at the Rose Bowl on Saturday. Cheering my ass off... Just like I did in College Station; just like I do every home game. Win or lose. Go Bruins
