In preparation for the inaugural Pac-12 Championship Game on Friday night in Eugene, Oregon, the UCLA Bruins held their final practice of the week on Wednesday. Head coach Rick Neuheisel, who was fired on Monday by UCLA but will coach the game on Friday, was carried off the field by his players after his final practice as head coach of the Bruins.
Neuheisel was emotional when meeting with reporters, fighting back tears. "It is meaningful when you work to create relationships, and you want desperately for them to achieve what they are capable of achieving, and despite the fact we didn't win enough games, they are achieving as people," Neuheisel said on Wednesday. "I am extremely proud to be a part of this team and am looking forward to hopefully a grand finish."
The Bruins will need a grand finish in order to beat the Oregon Ducks, who are now a whopping 31.5-point favorite over UCLA, per Odds Shark. A money-line bet on UCLA to win the game straight up would net a 55-to-1 return.
The inaugural Pac-12 Championship Football Game will be played on Friday, December 2 at 5 p.m. PT on Fox. For more news and information on UCLA football, be sure to read Bruins Nation.