VIDEO: Jim Mora on advantage of UCLA starting season at home

When UCLA steps into the Rose Bowl this Saturday against Virginia, it will mark just the second time in six seasons that the Bruins have opened the season at home.

From 2010-12, the team traveled to Kansas State, Houston, and Rice to start the fall. They finally hosted Nevada the year after that, before traveling to Charlottesville to face the Cavaliers last season.

That the Bruins don’t have to deal with a cross-country flight should only help a team that is already a 19.5-point favorite for the 12:30 p.m. kickoff.

“You don’t have to travel, and I don’t mean that facetiously” said head coach Jim Mora. “Last year, we had to go out two days early because it was a long flight and it was a long bus ride. It knocks you off your routine a little bit. We’re all about our routine as we get closer to the game.”