Maisel is a decent writer. He can write decent reporters but like many others in the MSM he often doesn’t bother digging a little deeper. For example in the profile piece I blogged on the main page, he referenced the Seattle Times articles without any critical reference as to how they might have been total hit jobs.

As for this take on the rivalry, he is probably trying to get a rise out of folks and drive traffic to his piece. I read it and frankly was kind of bored by it.

I don’t think UCLA alums/students here on BN or in the greater community have anything to prove when it comes showing our devotion and passion for our school. The way we have stuck by our team through the lean years and kind of passion we have shown in taking initiatives in asserting ourselves in the conversations concerning the state of our program, speak for themselves.

Sure our Bruin culture will never be the one in Tuscaloosa or in other SEC program. But what we have is pretty damn special. And it will only get better when our time comes and we take care of the business left unfinished in the 80s and 90s.

GO BRUINS.

Apparently the rivalry isn’t fierce because all Californians are laid back. You’d think he would have to go on than a lame generalization.

The laidback attitude of most Californians makes for a lukewarm rivalry between USC and UCLA.

I don’t think Maisel has actually been on either campus prior to a UCLA v. Southern Cal game or even attended one of the games himself.

He completely misinterprets the word “rivalry” to mean a single, simple mindset. It is more varied and complex than that, of course. Alabama and Auburn fans do not have some kind of monopoly on college rivalry. They simply act out in a most regional style. Mr. Maisel is mistaking culture and class for ambivalence, and lack of manners and immaturity for passion.

I find this comment quite disturbing: “But L.A. college fans don’t have the same allegiance to these two schools that college fans around the country have.” That statement is beyond idiotic. He should come and spend some time here with me in Kansas City, and see what “allegiance” looks like when it thrives in a foreign land. He should go visit BruinInDenver, Fox, freesia….

Mr. Maisel has not actually done his homework. (Imagine that.) Staying in LA for a few months and wandering around is not “research.”

Love My Bruins

06…middle of the game…BOTh FULL TEAMS ARE ON THE FIELD…JUMPING AROUND…GETTING HYPED..It was an amazing sight I’ve never seen at Bucks V Michigan or any other famed rivalry. Its all about perspective. I think it was relaxed before, but there is a definite resurgence in the rivalry.

and true story..I hate USC SOO MUCH that when I was forced to take the SAT on their campus..I left my shoes there…No lie. Thats how much I hate SC

I tell ya what…maybe the football interest has slipped…but the overall rivalry is un touchable. Name me any other rivalry that exsists in EVERY SINGLE sport? Be it volleyball, tennis, hoops, baseball….UCLA and usc contests are the most intense.
Ohio St. and Michigan in basketball is blah…Florida St. and Miami in volleybal? ZZZZZZZZZZZ.

Maybe Army-Navy comes close…but as “great” as all the alledged rivalries go…UCLA & So. Cal. is the best…and we have to share the same city with them.

He never felt this way when we were dominating South Central. Its like it never happened.

If anything, ours is a unique rivalry unlike any other in the country. UNC – Duke is played out on the hard court. Alabama – Auburn is played out on the gridiron. Not only are we the only major Div 1 schools to share a major city, ours played out across a spectrum of sports and industries. We own Basketball, they own Football. Since the inception of the Gauntlet competition we have traded wins for overall sports competition. I remember that while in film school, an agent I interned with told me that UCLA produces writers and USC produces directors. I know our law school is better than theirs.. But from what I hear their school of architecture is pretty good.

Maisel simply does not understand what he is talking about and reduces his argument to the lowest common denominator which in this country is football (but, if you were to compare us in the sport the rest of the world calls football, we own them in that too.)

The rest of the country pays more attention to USC – Notre Dame

I pay more attention to Auburn – Florida or Auburn – LSU than the Iron Bowl. Does that mean Auburn – Alabama isn’t a rivalry?

then he’s probably right. UCLA and USC is so much more than just a football rivalry. When you’re talking about other rivalries it’s 364 days (or 365 this year) of buildup to one game and that one day defines the rivalry. With UCLA and USC it’s football, basketball, baseball, volleyball, water polo, tennis, education, jobs. One day doesn’t define the rivalry like it does most rivalries. If that makes it overrated as a football rivalry fine, but I like our 365 day a year rivalry far more.