Oregon Ducks vs. UCLA Bruins: 5 Halftime Adjustments the Bruins Need to Make

Heading into the season, nobody expected the Bruins to reach the first ever Pac-12 title game, and yet here they are at Autzen Stadium trying to pull off one of the biggest upsets of the century by beating the mighty Ducks of Oregon. 

As 32-point underdogs, the Bruins definitely have a tough task ahead of them as they try to salvage the remains of a 2011 season that has culminated not only in a Pac-12 championship appearance but also the firing of head coach Rick Neuheisel.

Though nobody in the nation expects them to win, the Bruins are determined to play their best game of the year and make it a contest against Oregon. 

If they are to have any chance of hanging with the Ducks, they will have to go into halftime determined to play a close second half.

This is a list of five adjustments the Bruins must make at halftime if they want to have a chance to hold the Ducks at bay.

1. Account for every Oregon player

Oregon's third touchdown of the night to put them ahead 21-7 was one of the easiest touchdowns in college football this year.

Colt Lyerla was left unguarded in the endzone without a Bruin in sight and Darron Thomas easily connected with him.

Mistakes like these are only putting the Bruins in a huge hole and they need to make sure to account for every Duck if they want to have any chance in the game.

2. Eliminate turnovers

Two UCLA turnovers have led directly to Oregon touchdowns. 

Already huge underdogs, the Bruins must learn to have better control over the ball if they don't want this to turn into one of their ugliest games of the 2011 season.

3. Open up the passing game

The Ducks defense is starting to figure out that UCLA is largely keying on the run game tonight, and is something the Bruins will need to address heading into the second half.

Whether it be by running more sweeps or attacking the Oregon cornerbacks with deep passes, UCLA needs to take the attention off their up-the-middle run game in order to give their offense more versatility.

4. Force Darron Thomas to throw the ball

It should be no secret that Oregon will use their run game to gash the Bruins, but this is something UCLA needs to try and minimize.

They should be able to accomplish this by loading the box in the second half and forcing Darron Thomas to throw the ball more.

Thomas has looked inconsistent at best and has a tendency to throw a few errant passes that UCLA can definitely use to their advantage.

Loading the box will make Oregon look to Darron Thomas to throw the ball; something that may not be his greatest strength tonight the way he has played so far.

5. Don't lose hope

As cliche as this may sound, UCLA must not let their confidence go out the door despite the halftime score.

They need to continue to realize they have a shot in the game and that they have been able to stop the Ducks (as well as put points up on the board). 

If they lose motivation and confidence, expect this game to get ugly fast.