11 years ago, the UCLA Football program sat on the edge of BCS glory. 7 years ago, the UCLA Football program sat on the edge of oblivion. 4 years ago, the UCLA Football program sat on the edge of BCS glory. Last year, the UCLA Football program sat on the edge of oblivion. This year, the UCLA Football program sits on the edge of oblivion.

What's wrong with that you might ask? I'll tell you what:

After the jump.

In the 2008 offseason, the big question surfaced: Who will replace one of the worst coaching stints in UCLA football history?

For most people, the answer was anyone...right? Aside from that one guy who has the same name as another college, but is coaching at another college that sounds a lot like his name. TOLEDO would be the answer. We asked nearly everyone; Chris Peterson, Mike Bellotti, Mike Leach, and I wouldn't be surprised if Dan passed a note to Pete in that period of "No-Coach". But then... something else came around-

A prodigal son, with a few quick nicknames reverberating around the slums of the college football world. And then, an old guru, with more evidence for success than the etchings on the Stanley Cup.

We got all giddy, and all questions were answered at around the 14 minute mark of the 3rd Quarter in the Rose Bowl on September 1st 2008. And a week later, the questions resurfaced. And then a few weeks later, we hang in with a superior unit at their place. Then we get blown out of the water by a team that didn't score against us.

It was basically predictable!

Since Donahue (1976 [33 years ago]), we have had 15, count em' 15 seasons with more than a 3 game differential from the previous season's W Total. (Example; 8-3 to 5-6)

"You must be this tall to ride the roller coaster"

Personally, I love roller coasters, but not when it comes to football. But when can we get off the roller coaster? When does this come?

Here are the rules against exiting of the roller coaster:

1. Consistent losing
2. Consistent inconsistency
3. Fans happy with .500 season (unless talent restricts anything better)

On a side note: I have been persecuted for being "overly-optimistic" here at BN, and rightly so for the most part. But looking at those rules, we have gotten through law #3!! 33% is done, we just need the other two to work out.

Using that logic:

As UCLA Fans, we have evolved into fans who expect more and more from the team.

Sure, we might get ahead, or behind ourselves sometimes, but this is what this UCLA Football program needs. Right here, right now. We need to get behind our team, and hope that we can start gradually improving in something other than the kicking game.