UCLA Football: Chip Kelly Talks Game Scheduling Strategy Amid Big 10 Move

Kelly breaks down time zone travel and how it could or could not affect the body

Like it or not, 2023 will be the last season of the Pac-12 the way we know it. At this time in 2024, your UCLA Bruins will be in the Big 10 Conference, and the entire landscape of college football will be different. 

With change comes some challenges, which is no different with the Bruins. Going to a much better conference is tough enough, but it becomes even trickier when you add all the other little details many don't think about. Consistent time changes are one of the main off-the-field challenges the Bruins will face. 

UCLA will travel five times to the mid-west/ east coast in 2024, something they have never experienced. It will be new for everyone except head coach Chip Kelly. Kelly is no stranger to constant time changes as he dealt with it as head coach for the San Francisco 49ers. 

Kelly gave his take on how the team will adjust to the time changes and what type of effect it may or may not have on their bodies. 

"If you're only there for less than 36 hours, there is no jet lag. You go in; you stay on your body clock. When we were in San Francisco, we had to go play Carolina; it's just a 10 am start for us. We were on the field for practice at 10 am, so it really wasn't that much different. So, if we go to play an East Coast team in the Big 10 a year from now, they told us we won't play any games before 12:30 our time, so it would be a 3:30 kick for them so we'll stay on our same time schedule because we would leave on Friday, play a game on Saturday 12 noon for us, 3 for them then get on a plane and come back. It doesn't affect you on that standpoint because you're only there for a short amount of time, so you really try to stay on the same schedule."

(via Chip Kelly)

It will be tough for the West Coast team traveling to the East Coast, but at least they won't be put at a disadvantage game-time-wise. 

Remember, the teams originally from the Big 10 also have to travel to the West Coast, too, so it's not easy for both sides. There are a ton of ins and outs that are still getting situated; however, it will all be worth it in the end. 

We cannot wait for the move, but first, the Bruins will look to make an impact in whatever will be left of the Pac-12.