The Biggest Hurdle For UCLA Football Come 2015-16 Will Be A Mental One

Of all of the things ready to stare the UCLA Bruins in the face come the 2015-16 season, nothing should be scaring them more than themselves — nothing.

UCLA football’s newly released 2015 schedule doesn’t show too many areas that the Bruins will be in big trouble — save the match ups against Utah, Stanford, and the all-enticing USC finale.

Aside from those big three, the Bruins don’t face too much of a difficult path the rest of the way.

Opening against the Virginia Cavaliers — the same squad that gave them a devilish run for their money a season ago — will be from the comfort of their own home this time around and will be sure to be a dozy.

As a side note, Virginia didn’t win a single road game last year — let’s hope that streak continues.

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Following opening night the Bruins will contest against UNLV, BYU, and Arizona before taking on the Arizona State Sun Devils at home.

The reason the game against the Sun Devils will be important for UCLA is because it will be the defining moment for their ability to handle the random yet somehow composed and directed chaos that is ASU.

USC fans know the struggle all too well thanks to that Hail Mary last year.

Sorry Trojan fans, I had to post the video:

Oops.

The thing about UCLA’s defensive style is that they need to play explosive to stay ahead of the Sun Devils.

Last year, UCLA completely embarrassed ASU in a 62-27 romping — don’t ever count out a team that got burned that badly in round two.

Ever.

UCLA went 9-3 last year with losses coming to Utah, Oregon, and Stanford.

Since the Ducks aren’t on the menu for this season due to the scheduling swap within the conference, the Bruins will have one less major enemy to worry about.

But two is more than enough company and room for concern.

Against the Utes, UCLA tried everything up their sleeve it seemed.

After trailing the whole game the Bruins erupted for 14 points in the fourth quarter but fell just short of what would have been one of the more impressive rallies in all of college football.

Because trust me when I tell you that Utah does not go down without a fight.

Giving credit where credit is due, the Utes won that one fair and square so there’s no reason to sit here and be bitter — only be better when that opportunity presents itself.

As for the Stanford issue, Josh Rosen will need to ensure his Bruins some early touchdowns or scores of any sort to hang with the Cardinal.

UCLA did a terrible job a year ago against Stanford on defense and because of that they got lit up left and right in a 31-10 rout.

Bottom Line: There’s no glass ceiling this time around.

From there on out, if the Bruins can secure locker room leadership they will be well on their path to a new sort of glory days in the post-Hundley era.

Watch out college football. You’ve been warned.