UCLA-Stanford Preview: Bruins Seek To Turn Things Around At Home

There’s nothing like a little home cooking.

At least the members of Bruin Nation hope that’s the case as UCLA faces the Stanford Cardinal this Saturday night at the Rose Bowl.

Not only is this the Bruins’ home opener, it is also the Pac-10 Conference opener for them and Stanford, who demolished Sacramento State last week, 52-17.

Coach Jim Harbaugh’s challenge is to show the Pac-10 that his program on the Farm is more than Toby Gerhart, last year’s Heisman Trophy runner-up who’s now a running back with the Minnesota Vikings and was the main reason for their 8-4 record in 2009.

The Cardinal (1-0) will rely more on their passing game, as Andrew Luck certainly showed his mettle at quarterback with 316 yards and four touchdowns against Sacramento State, including scoring passes of 59 and 81 yards in the first quarter alone.

Although the Hornets were an FCS ( formerly Division 1-AA) “gimme”, Luck’s performance was nothing to sneeze at; the Bruin secondary will surely be tested.

The key to UCLA’s (0-1) success is for them to cut out the penalties, turnovers, and poor tackling that led to their demise against Kansas State. Quarterback Kevin Prince must significantly improve on his 9-for-26 passing with three turnovers, including two interceptions, last week if the Bruins are going to have a chance.

Otherwise coach Rick Neuheisel and offensive coordinator Norm Chow should seriously consider replacing him with Richard Brehaut, who performed very well during fall camp and the fall scrimmage.

It is imperative that UCLA wins these next two games, both of which are at home against Stanford and Houston next week on September 18th. This is not only so that the Bruins can start Pac-10 play with a win and gain momentum, but also because none other than the fifth-ranked Texas Longhorns are lurking at the end of this month.

UCLA would love nothing more than to be 2-1 going into Austin on Sept. 25th. The Bruins had their chances at Kansas State, but failed to capitalize on them as their mistakes proved to be their undoing.

That absolutely cannot happen on Saturday.

If it does, it may lead to a long year in Westwood.

Tags: Norm Chow, Rick Neuheisel, Rose Bowl, Stanford Cardinal, UCLA, UCLA Bruin Football, UCLA Bruins, Westwood