PASADENA, Calif.—Although Kevin Prince knows he sounds a little crazy, the UCLA quarterback isn’t ready to acknowledge the Bruins’ visit from Colorado will be their last game at the Rose Bowl this season.
Even after everything that’s gone wrong while UCLA (5-5, 4-3 Pac-12) struggled to stay at .500 this season, the Bruins still have a share of the Pac-12 South division lead. If they can beat the Buffaloes (2-9, 1-6) on Saturday and somehow win next week’s showdown with No. 18 Southern California, UCLA would play for the conference title—and who knows, maybe end up back in the Rose Bowl.
Sure, it’s not likely. But it’s something to play for—other than coach Rick Neuheisel’s job.
“We still control our own destiny, and that’s pretty amazing,” Prince said. “We could still win the conference championship, but we can’t do anything if we don’t beat Colorado. We’re not the type of team that overlooks anybody.”
With all the ties running between Boulder and Westwood these days, nobody on either sideline is likely to discount Saturday’s meeting between two struggling programs.
“I grew up a UCLA fan, so it’s going to be nice playing there,” said Colorado quarterback Tyler Hansen, who’s from Murrieta, Calif. “I’ve seen quite a few games there. It will be a real cool experience to be playing in the Rose Bowl.”
While Colorado coach Jon Embree schemes to stop UCLA receiver Taylor Embree on his son’s Senior Day, Neuheisel will coach possibly his final home game at his alma mater against his former employers at Colorado and Jon Embree, his good friend and former assistant coach. UCLA receiver Josh Smith and center Kai Maiava transferred from Colorado, while Buffs receiver Paul Richardson transferred from UCLA.
“There’s going to be guys over there that are familiar with us, so that’s a motivation, but at the end of the day, it’s all love,” said Smith, also the Bruins’ kickoff returner.
Neuheisel might not love what happens to his coaching career if the Bruins don’t finish 5-1 at home this season with a win over Colorado, which has lost 22 straight road games. UCLA lost the momentum from its first winning streak in more than a year during last week’s snow-covered loss at Utah, but Neuheisel is focused on getting the Bruins to the second bowl game of his four-year tenure.
“We still have a chance to achieve all of the goals that we had at the start of the season,” UCLA linebacker Sean Westgate said. “It’s been special to play at the Rose Bowl for four years, but you need a win to really make it right.”
Although the Bruins rely on tailbacks Johnathan Franklin and Derrick Coleman to drive their offense, UCLA might not have a better opportunity this season to excel with passing. Colorado’s defensive secondary has struggled mightily, ranking 101st in the FBS in pass defense, and the Bruins have several talented receivers who often don’t get many chances to make big plays.
Embree is more worried about UCLA’s running game, third-best in the Pac-12 with 186.7 yards per game.
“You have to try and take away their strengths if you are going to have success,” the Colorado coach said. “They have a good one-two punch, and if you don’t stop that, then you are in trouble.”
UCLA’s defense might get a boost with the possible return of safety Tony Dye, who has been out for two months with nerve damage in his neck. Dye could have sat out the rest of the season and applied for another season, but instead returned to practice this week with hopes of playing in the Bruins’ final two games and a possible bowl.
“I was always going to come back, but what really decided it was the chance to play for a Pac-12 championship,” Dye said. “This game is a huge part of that, and if it’s our final home game as seniors, I want to be out there with my guys and go out the right way.”
Although Embree and Hansen made headlines in Boulder by guaranteeing a win over UCLA after last week’s skid-snapping victory over Arizona, neither team puts much stock in such predictions after the rough seasons they’ve both endured.
“We just have to go out with the emotion and intensity that we had last week,” Colorado cornerback Travis Sandersfield said. “It’s their Senior Day and last game at the Rose Bowl. We just have to match their intensity. The team that makes the least mistakes is going to win the game.”
