We have a very talented bus driver. His first assistant bus driver routinely develops Heisman Trophy winners. These guys know what it’s like to drive a bus. They are experienced bus drivers. They have been given the extra task of putting the wheels back on the bus, getting some passengers into the bus, and getting all those passengers in their seats and facing forward.

It seems that lots of others have willingly jumped aboard the bus, incluidng most everyone here in the BN. The last thing the bus driver needs to hear from those who are sitting way, way out on the periphery of the seating area is how he needs to be steering. Right now, the bus is just starting. One or two wheels are out of alignment. The driver is busy, and he doesn’t need a bunch of people (who truly know nothing about the intricacies of bus driving) yelling “Watch out for that car” and “You should have turned back there.”

OK, that’s about as far as I think I can take the bus analogy. Let’s just enjoy the fact that we have a bus that is going forward, not one that is making a movement or turning the corner.

Since I was a student at UCLA in the 1960’s, and as a supporting fan, both financially (that stopped some time ago), and an emotionally vested person, I have noted that when school starts, UCLA loses one or more games. Sure enough, this year, UCLA lost when school started. Not sure even this respected coaching staff (and I do respect them, and love their stability so far), has an answer for that one. There are the other issues too. Remember that Neuheisel stated more than once that last year UCLA would recruit well, and that happened, and then this year we would recruit well again (seems headed in that direction), and then the team would be better. His challenge is to get from back there (last year) to there (next year). Class of 66 is spot on with his analysis.
Bill

Our Bruins played a hell of a game and controlled the outcome. Yes, I too walked away disappointed that we, again, shot ourselves in the foot; but I did it with a sense of pride, because we manhandled the No. 13 team for most of the game. Our guys can win. They have shown that they have the ability. Unlike the last two seasons, where we weren’t going to win games because we just weren’t good enough to compete, we have shown that we can compete with anyone, anywhere, at any time. The next step is not just to hang in there, but to win consistently against good competition. Remember, few teams ever make that jump, and ours looks to be heading in the right direction to do just that. Patience is a virtue. Mark my words: the UCLA dynasty is beginning. 2010 Rose Bowl here we come. U-C-L-A-Fight-Fight-Fight!

I was at the Rose Bowl, fighting off a 101-degree fever and numbness in my fingers and toes, so I probably was physically incapable of getting too upset during the game, or crafting a well-thought-out call for calm thereafter.

THANK YOU for stepping up with this.

We are ALL Bruin fans, and while many of us may not like some of the different stops along the way, we are ALL still riding this out to the end of the line.

M

I was hoping you’d post something like this 66, and you delivered.

 I think it’s clear that this team is on the right path, and the fact that so many fans were upset after these two losses proves it. Despite there being grievances about personnel use, play calling, special teams play, etc. I believe that when it’s all said and done most fans were upset we lost because these games were winnable. However, like 66 said, consider what the state of our program was just two years ago. Would these games have been winnable under CTS? I highly doubt it. And that right there is an indication that we are on the right path.

Even with all the youngsters I see a team that is making improvements. We are now able to run the ball (albeit nothing too spectacular), but it is something we were NOT AT ALL able to do last year. The QB also has time to throw the ball and is not being ground into the turf every other play (ala Kevin Craft last year). Our D, despite missing tackles is not giving up as many points as in years past. They make their stances when they need to, create turnovers, and even put some points up on the board.

Though I firmly believe overall inexperience plays a part in our offensive woes, when it’s all said and done I believe most of the team’s inability to score originates from two areas: QB play and receiver play. However, before I am accused of bashing our QBs and receivers, let me say that I have the greatest confidence in all our QBs and receivers. They are very talented players, each with their own set of skills. However, simply put, they are not executing the way they CAN and SHOULD. On the part of the QB’s you have some VERY inexperienced players. Making the jump from HS to D-1 college ball is extremely difficult, even with a year of the playbook under your belt. Conversely, I have also seen some poor throws on their behalf. They have not only missed wide open men, but have thrown balls into double coverage and/or lobbed the ball in an attempt to make a play. As for the receiving corps, we have SOME inexperience with Carrol and Presley, but Austin is a senior and Embree is a second year starter. Both have played well in years past. I have seen way too many lazy routes run, a lack of separation from the defender, and dropped passes. This includes tight ends as well. About the only receiver I would say is making the most of his appearances is Rosario.

 All in all, I would say that we’re making some progress. Our bus is missing only a few parts, which would otherwise make it road ready. Last year we had neither a running game or a passing game. This year we have somewhat of a running game and half of a passing game. If the QB’s and receiving corp can get on the same page in the next couple weeks, I will say that our bus is not only road ready, but will be ready to begin its ascent.

Kickoff coverage….admit it. When Oregon took the return all the way, you werent surprised. We have been pushing our luck for awhile. (Though the length of the kickoffs has hidden this in the Stanford game). This has been true now for 2 years.

That said, it seemed to me being at the game, that we were quite close to shutting down the play, so how serious can the criticism be? And, we got blocked punts, blocked field goals and a nice punt return this year — so our special teams are doing quite well in other areas, so again, how serious can the criticism be.

Lets just fix kickoff returns.

to review every game, but have perspective on where we came from and where we are going. There are going to be disappointments along the way, but as coach says, we can disagree with some of the coaching decisions without being disagreeable.