This was Kurt Streeter's (LA TIMES) take on Cowan.

I FULLY concur....

Steering the Bruins was Patrick Cowan. He came into this season on the second string but first among Bruins fans because of the gutsy way he beat the Trojans and because when he is on the field the team has a heartbeat.

I'll say it now, firmly. As long as Cowan is healthy, he should be the starting quarterback. He proved it all day long."

Clearly, he's THE guy. He may not be Troy Aikman, or the next Heisman candidate, but he's a catalyst, through and through. He's relatively crippled too, and he came through for the Bruins against a very tough team, and with a sub-par coach calling the plays. This kid can do a lot if given the chance.

Sorry, Ben.

'Big Ben' Olson should focus on being healthy should he return as a solid BACKUP. Thus far, Ben's been injury prone, panics at the first sight of a tough D (Utah? Notre Dame??), and barring MAYBE one or two games early this season and last (usually against the weaker opponents), he is mediocre at best.

Here's the problem, he LOOKS like he should be a Heisman candidate, after all, he's older and more mature, he's a southpaw, he can gunsling it (if no one is in his face), and we all have built up these expectations that he should be the guy.

Let him compete for the position NEXT year, his senior year, but give the job of finishing up the season to Cowan. He deserves it. He's played just under EIGHT quarters for us this year... and, thanks to him and our Defense, we're still in the running for the Pac-10 title.

(Don't worry, I'm not completely 'all there' with regard to the chances of us winning the Pac-10, but you simply never know in this conference of ours)...

Go BRUINS!