Honestly, how do we recruit against UCLA?
If Mora stays put, he and Coach Harbaugh are going to be fighting over a lot of the same recruits for years.
Both: top public universities in the US, 30K+ students, academic peers, former NFL coaches in their prime, both named Jim, huge stadiums
UCLA pros: palm trees, girls (33% Asian, which some kids are into), weather, Hollywood, surrounding wealth on another level, Mora has a flashy Manhattan Beach mansion I'm sure he shows off to recruits, Snoop Dogg's and P Diddy's kids are on the team ("cool" factor)
UM pros: historical success, Harbaugh's personal university connection, success and high profile status
We have our biases, but I think we know what most non-affiliated teens find more alluring. UCLA's newfound momentum is not good for us.
February 5th, 2015 at 10:06 AM ^
Those pros you listed have been pros in recruiting since time immortal for UCLA. Also, we didn't have Jim Harbaugh before either. Hasn't really prevented our program from - at times at least - being a national powerhouse and getting in the players we needed. I wouldn't fret.
February 5th, 2015 at 10:14 AM ^
It's no like the weather there just recently started to get nice.
February 5th, 2015 at 10:07 AM ^
I think USC is going to come around sooner rather than later. So I think USC will take care of this for us.
February 5th, 2015 at 10:15 AM ^
February 5th, 2015 at 10:22 AM ^
If we go head to head with UCLA for guys, I like our chances going forward. I love UCLA's campus but you have to believe Harbaugh getting a full cycle to build a relationship with recruits and playing at the Big House will play favorably for Michigan.
I see our main recruiting battles as being with Ohio State, Stanford, USC, Texas, Alabama and the Florida schools. May be Rutgers here and there for the high end guys out of NJ. But that will probably also be a battle with Ohio State.
February 5th, 2015 at 10:32 AM ^
I don't think it's gonna be that easy for USC to topple UCLA. I really don't think Sark is a better in game coach than Mora Jr.
Then again who knows. USC is losing 3 years straight to them I believe. Maybe that changes this year.
February 5th, 2015 at 10:36 AM ^
I watched a USC game late in the season and I was like "Holy crap, there's that guy and that guy, and that guy". They have quite a few top recruits from the past 2 recruiting classes playing now. They're young although not a fan of them, I could see them taking over the PAC-12 again.
February 5th, 2015 at 10:42 AM ^
February 5th, 2015 at 11:01 AM ^
February 5th, 2015 at 10:08 AM ^
February 5th, 2015 at 10:09 AM ^
I remember hearing Mark Messner talking about his Michigan v. UCLA story. He came back from his recruiting trip to UCLA, loved it, so he went to Bo and said, "Bo, I'm going to go to UCLA."
Bo said, "No, you're not. You're coming to Michigan."
So Messner said, "Um, OK. I'm coming to Michigan."
I guess that's how we recruit against UCLA.
February 5th, 2015 at 10:09 AM ^
For a football weekend. UCLA cannot compete on the game day experience. Have the recruit walk from the main campus to the Big House before the game. I know that they don't do that but rather spend time with the team. But if they did walk to the game and experience the pregame festivities then they would get a feel for the experience.
Students take a bus from the UCLA campus in Westwood to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena for games. It is about a 45-minute bus ride. It is not the same at all.
There is no comparison.
Of course, our new staff could not accomplish that scenario.
February 5th, 2015 at 10:12 AM ^
The energy in Ann Arbor is without equal on game day, even if you don't walk to the stadium. The fact that Harbaugh managed to reel in a few last minute borderline 4-stars WITHOUT the game day experience is a testament to how great he is.
February 5th, 2015 at 10:09 AM ^
However, I lived in Santa Monica and even worked briefly at UCLA in my 20s and it was extremley meh.... Very superficial place and that's not just a stereotype. The campus reminds me of the University of Toledo, average buildings and, land locked, more like a commuter school. Very little character for a major university.
Yeah the chicks are hot and there are famous people and their kids there. And it's a very good school. Westwood dosn't feel like a college town at all, if that's important to you. And the cost of things and the inconvenience of LA become evident to parents pretty quickly. Football stadium is also 2 hours away in traffic. UCLA isn't an ideal place by an stretch--but it is pretty damn alluring.
February 5th, 2015 at 10:11 AM ^
Compared to the location of USC, Westwood is a godsend.
February 5th, 2015 at 10:10 AM ^
Honestly, we have a staff that has more NFL experience than just about anyone if the country. I don't think we will have a problem selling that at all. If I was a top recruit and my goals were my education and getting to the NFL, Michigan would be at the top of my list. I honestly can't think of another univeristy that can combine those two things as well as Michigan. We aren't going to have a problem recruiting kids in the future. I have no doubts we will have Top 10ish classes going foward. Recruiting has never been our problem.
February 5th, 2015 at 10:10 AM ^
the defending National Champions next November will be a good start.
Also, if a recruit cares more about sunny skies and year round bikini's than his education or playing football, do we really want that kid at Michigan?
February 5th, 2015 at 10:12 AM ^
Education is a wash with UCLA.
February 5th, 2015 at 10:11 AM ^
As said above the West Coast vibe isn't for everyone, and if you're looking for a passionate fan-base and Big House type atmosphere, UCLA isn't on par.
But "WIN" is the right answer.
February 5th, 2015 at 10:11 AM ^
Please stop with these pointless threads. Other fans just find these threads and post them up on their version of mgoblog and laugh.
February 5th, 2015 at 10:12 AM ^
Just win baby - if we get back to our winning ways the top recruits will be kicking down the doors to play for Harbaugh
February 5th, 2015 at 10:13 AM ^
has been out there since nationwide recruiting began. If that's how it worked, USC and UCLA would always be good in football and basketball. They have not. And Oklahoma and Alabama wouldn't get anyone. Ever.
February 5th, 2015 at 10:14 AM ^
Get more asian girls.
February 5th, 2015 at 10:15 AM ^
And Snoop Dogg.
February 5th, 2015 at 10:30 AM ^
get engaged to one. Then come talk to me.
February 5th, 2015 at 10:14 AM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
February 5th, 2015 at 10:16 AM ^
I went to Michigan, but lived in LA for a number of years, dated a UCLA Phd student and took a class at the UCLA extension. I bleed blue, but UCLA's campus, weather, and just about everything are awesome. The only weird thing is that they play in the RoseBowl, which is cool, but is also a 45 minute drive from campus. I'm sure the students get into football when UCLA is good, but LA in general isn't a sports town. There is too much to do. In A2 a football player is BMOC. In LA there are movie stars, billionaires, basketball players and 1000 other people that are more important than you.
February 5th, 2015 at 10:21 AM ^
Everything OP said is true. And ALWAYS has been. This isn't new. If Mich turns back into a football powerhouse, into an NFL factory, then it will go back to a playing field where we get the players who are focused on winning or the NFL.... and they get the players who fit a system, like the sun, or are seeking an opportunity for playing time ('cause our teams will be loaded). I am ok with that.
The formula here is difficult to attain, but simple in design. Win.
February 5th, 2015 at 10:19 AM ^
sell recruits on clean air, and vegetation
February 5th, 2015 at 10:19 AM ^
we need MORE COWBELL!!!
February 5th, 2015 at 10:22 AM ^
February 5th, 2015 at 10:26 AM ^
Mora will take the first decent NFL job that he is offered. I wouldn't worry about this.
February 5th, 2015 at 10:42 AM ^
Mora will likely want that LA Rams job. But that's what, 3 seasons away?
February 5th, 2015 at 10:27 AM ^
UCLA (and USC) has been around for many decades, and has always drawn the bulk of its players from California and other west coast states. Their advantages now are the same as their advantages of 30 years ago, and it's not like this is the first time in history that UCLA is recruiting well. Take a look at the Terry Donahue era from '82 to '88—four PAC10 championships, seven straight bowl victories, three Rose Bowl victories plus a Fiesta and Cotton Bowl win, and a lot of players put into the NFL, including 16 drafted in the first three rounds.
Michigan will be fine.
February 5th, 2015 at 10:27 AM ^
Just win baby!
Contrary to popular opinion, it wasn't weather or women (dude, I found an alliteration!) that helped UCLA. It was Michigan having to sell promises, not progress (Yeah!) after a couple of really mediocre to awful years.
Rob
February 5th, 2015 at 10:27 AM ^
While Michigan may not quite have SEC fanaticism the fanbase here is among the most devoted and when the team is decent the students are into it.
UCLA has the Rose Bowl, but it's about 30 minutes from campus by bus. My impression is that the fans turn out for the USC game, and not much else, and that football is not nearly as central to campus as in Ann Arbor (plus more of their sports history involves basketball).
Finally, LA is a big city. I'm guessing Hundley was barely on the radar. If you come to Michiga and become Denard, Hart, Braylon etc. you are a big deal.
February 5th, 2015 at 10:29 AM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
February 5th, 2015 at 10:29 AM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
February 5th, 2015 at 10:30 AM ^
February 5th, 2015 at 10:31 AM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
February 5th, 2015 at 10:34 AM ^
Winning is what kids want the most. Do that and we'll be fine. And honestly, I'd be worrying more about MSU and OSU, right in our own backyard, then I would be over UCLA.
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
February 5th, 2015 at 10:35 AM ^
Let's just give up football because UCLA has nice weather.
February 5th, 2015 at 10:39 AM ^
about the only time I am envious of him is in January and February.
California and LA are beautiful, but so is Michigan. Winter does suck and that is a drawback about Michigan. But California has issues of it's own. No state or locale is perfect.
February 5th, 2015 at 10:39 AM ^
February 5th, 2015 at 10:50 AM ^
I don't think it's fair to single out one ethnic group for why UCLA is indifferent to football. LA itself generally does a mediocre job of supporting teams not named the Lakers--unless they are winning. There is a reason why LA has not had a NFL team in two decades.
February 5th, 2015 at 11:10 AM ^
Ann Arbor has a decent-sized Asian population on campus as well and you would never hear something like that.
Even the Lakers are going to be pretty much dead in terms of support once Kobe retires and there's no reason to go watch horrible basketball. The city could support an NFL team or two easily, but it overall doesn't have the same diehard fan support for sports, college or pro, as the rest of the country, or even the same level as the Bay Area.
Mora has got to prove he's actually a great coach on the field. If he can knock off USC consistently as well as Arizona and Oregon (and possibly Stanford) he'll have a good shot at actually building a machine. Right now UCLA is pretty much selling hope the same way we are, but without the tradition, alumni support and resources, and with a sunnier environment.
February 5th, 2015 at 11:19 AM ^
They have the resources now. I believe they built a brand new football practice facility off of donations and just got $10 million more. I know that is prolly chump change compared to UM, but coaches who are worth anything can sell that to a wide-eyed kid in LA.
February 5th, 2015 at 11:45 AM ^
I didn't read @diag squirrel's comment that way... I interpreted it as if you're into Asian women, UCLA has a lot of them. Not that a certain group doesn't support football.
On the other hand, @socalwolverine1 doesn't appear to be very bright.February 5th, 2015 at 1:27 PM ^
I am pretty bright, or if I'm not, then how do you explain my bachelor of science degree from Michigan?
Obviously, to anyone who is perceptive, my "asian" reference is about students who attend the top three universities in CA (Stanford, Berkeley, and #3, UCLA) overwhelmingly for the pursuit of academic success, not to party and go to football games, like say, at a mostly-white party school in the middle of plains like Nebraska. The point is, if one knows anything about asian culture, as I do living with and working among a ton of asian friends of all ethnic groups (by population: #1 filipino, #2 chinese, #3 vietnamese, #4 japanese, #5 korean) here in socal, education isn't an optional priority, it's the ONLY PRIORITY. Football is an optional activity. That's why the Rose Bowl is never filled for UCLA games, other than for the USC game. That's why one can go on StubHub and pick up a Stanford ticket below face value the day before 90% of the games at Stanford stadium.
Please don't get politically correct on me, in this case the stereotype is FOR REAL.
February 5th, 2015 at 2:24 PM ^
Okay you don't want me to be PC, I'll rephrase then... you're a moron. The pursuit of a college degree and partying and enjoying a football game are not mutually exclusive.
Labeling a group of people not as fans of something simply because of their heritage is not PC -- it's stupid to do so. The other feedback in here towards you justifies my take on this I believe.
I've lived in Japan for several years previously -- I don't need a lecture about Asian culture as I have lived it rather than just exposed to it through friends.
This past season you couldn't give away tickets on Stub Hub for Michigan games -- so your example there too is weak at best.