Bleeding Blue and Gold ... Always

by PrincetonBruin on Oct 29, 2009 7:33 PM PDT Comment 60 comments

Bumped. All I can do is insert the image below to go with rest of this masterpiece. GO BRUINS. - N

Photo Credit: LA Times

This is my first fanpost but I've been hanging around here for a while and finally have something important to say.

Here we are, seven games into another tough season for our Bruins and the outlook is not as positive as it was when we were 3-0. What I want to challenge today are Bruin fans who have written off every USC game this decade because we are so over matched on paper. The USC game is ALWAYS a winnable game and anyone who doesn't think so should be ashamed to call themselves a Bruin. If we don't contest the USC game every year we stand to lose a whole generation of fans, because let's face it, if you are a 12 or 13 year old kid and you are starting to watch college football you want to root for your local team that's out winning national titles not the one that gets run over year after year not only by SUC but by teams like Arizona (seriously?, year after year? pathetic). I am 20 and finding a die-hard Bruin at my age who doesn't attend UCLA is pretty tough in this town. My entire teenage years have been spent seething at the corruption and Roses in South Central while all my friends go to the Coliseum and root for Cheatey Pete and the trOJan gang every Saturday.

Now I don't mean to call out the majority of you on these forums as I know you bleed Blue and Gold more than anyone, but I saw an alarming commend thread this week where a few people suggested that we write off the USC game and this is just ridiculous. I don't even attend UCLA (was accepted but got into my other dream school, Princeton) but when I was 5 years old my dad (an alumnus) taught me one of the most valuable lessons in life "There are two teams you should root for every week. UCLA and whoever is playing USC". There is only one game a year where those two teams become one and its the one at the beginning of December or end of November that we circle on our calendars in January.

I remember, and I think we all remember a bleak season not too far in the past where ESPN told us to bow down to the unstoppable juggernaut that was going to win the national title because we were a mediocre team at best, using a backup quarterback. I had the great fortune of attending that amazing 13-9 game and oh did I rub it in the face of all 31 (yes 31, we happen to be SUC's biggest feeder school) students at my high school who were going to attend SUC the next year. I also remember my first UCLA-USC game when I was just 7 and we beat the trOJans in OT in probably one of the best games ever in the long series (Forgive me old guys, I know of the great UCLA teams and SC games of the 50's and 60's but you had to play for ties back then). I know the team isn't executing at ALL right now and it's agonizing for all of us, but I see too many people acting like we only have 4 games left on the schedule to become bowl eligible. There is a 5th game that should see us do just that, provided we catch balls, avoid penalties, etc. Remember, the Trojan War lasted ten years before they finally sent in the horse. The decade of Troy will soon come to an end, when CRN and CNC maximize what will then be talented juniors and seniors and we will regain our position not just atop the Pac-10 (which we should compete for every single year, without fail) but nationally, as well. That doesn't mean though that we cant hold out hope for a win this year as well, even though its a tough road ahead. Don't forget, we haven't won in the Coliseum since 1998, we are long overdue. As Red Sanders said "Beating USC isn't a matter of life and death, it's more important than that"

Go Bruins! Let's get back on track against OSU this week.

-AV-

P.S. I guarantee you that you will not find a bigger Oregon fan in the state of New Jersey this week ;-)

P.S.S. If there are any Bruin fans living in central NJ, make yourselves known. It's painful watching crappy Big-10 and Big East games on ABC every week we need to find somewhere to cheer on the Bruins or at least watch quality Pac-10 football

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.

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Well

Now only if Richard Brehaut could make this kind of splash in his first meaningful snaps as UCLA QB, our team will be just fine.

Epic first post Princeton. Welcome home.

GO BRUINS.

by Nestor on Oct 29, 2009 7:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

So confident in Brehaut huh nes?

I hope he doesn’t make me look like an idiot lol

There's no one in the world that wants to beat UCLA more than _______.

by ucla13_usc9 on Oct 29, 2009 8:09 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Check that

I do hope he makes me look like an idiot

There's no one in the world that wants to beat UCLA more than _______.

by ucla13_usc9 on Oct 29, 2009 8:29 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

I think

that if he is actually put in a well managed situation he will do well, not as a desperate measure at the end of a game. We’ll see though. I’m not a fan of the 2 QB system considering they have similar talents but I want to see this resolved as soon as possible and if Brehaut can get the job done and Prince can’t then all the power to him.

by PrincetonBruin on Oct 30, 2009 12:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was actually procrasinating on writing a 7 page paper in Portuguese when I decided it was time for my first fanpost. I too look forward to seeing that arm put to good use. It’s the recievers I’m worried about though….

by PrincetonBruin on Oct 29, 2009 7:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

LOL

I can’t imagine if I would be able to get any studying done if I had this place to procrastinate over back in the day. As for the receivers, we are going to need those guys to run crisp routes, get more aggressive in terms of working to get separation, and then of course catch the damn ball. We will see.

by Nestor on Oct 29, 2009 7:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nice post

Only issue I have is, yes we need to best SC every year. But the real attitude we should have is we should compete with everyone we play, every year. I just don’t want to see the attitude popping up that everyone used to have at UCLA.

“As long as we beat SC, its a good year.”

Yes beating SC is great, but we need to take every game seriously before we can compete at their level. As RN has stated, play to win championships, starting with the PAC-10. Winning SC, awesome! At the moment, Oregon St must go down.

by Bruin'96 on Oct 29, 2009 7:48 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

"As long as we beat SC, its a good year."

That was the mantra when TD was mailing it in (Homer Smith had finally retired for good to Alabama) with good talent and at the same time SC was hiring Ted Tollner and Paul Hackett as head coaches. That mantra allowed TD to stretch himself into a better pension situation with UCLA, and got the fans used to .500 seasons, albeit beating SC a record number of times in a row. I say enough of that mantra. Going forward UCLA football has better goals to set.

The other side is that SC alums (at least the ones who i know), IMO, decided that they would not suffer this indignity at the hands of UCLA again, lowered their academic standards for athletes, built a wing at Heritage Hall for the lawyers for inevitable NCAA issues and deepened their ties into the local law enforcement community to bail out and otherwise cover up for the troublemakers on the football team. They got lucky with the PC hire and away they have gone. The coliseum is full for every home game, the school is making $$, and that is what they wanted, plus SC is showing UCLA the door year after year.

RN has his work cut out for him. UCLA continues to be the most applied to school for incoming freshmen in the country (i believe), and the need to accommodate athletes is a hard sell. I believe the school can get better at the best sport of them all, football (even though i was a baseball player at UCLA), but it is much harder when the administration at UCLA is so scattered and the schools’ goals, in some cases, (“why cater to the athletic department when applications are so strong?”) appearing to be in conflict. This is my analysis and evaluation, so it could be off a mile but the signals coming from the school look this way to me.
Bill

BillSouthBay

by Mensgym on Oct 30, 2009 9:12 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

BSB touches upon something here ...

UCLA’s administration puts scholastics above sports – as well they should: UCLA brings in far more money through grant IDC than it does through its athletic programs (IIRC: it is in the 3 for research dollars) That said, the 106 NC’s are truly a testament to the ideal of the student athlete.

As long as we keep our academic integrity, we are going to be at a recruiting disadvantage with schools with lower standards, like $C. (BTW: This is an example of the ‘moral victory’ idea that I mentioned in another thread). This doesn’t mean that we will not be competitive with them – you can argue that having smart players with the discipline to get A’s & B’s in High School is a good thing.

by JonnyG on Oct 30, 2009 11:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Amen to that!

I found it very interesting and odd to hear on the SC/U of O game telecast that Oregon holds their football practices from 9:00 – 12:00 daily. That is very unusual because most classes are held during that time. That is not the case at UCLA or an most any other school.

I know at Pepperdine we are always working with the Academic Coordinators at Athletics to get their players into classes. It sounds like at Oregon they have their priorities slightly misplaced.

I may work with the Waves, but I'm still a Bruin!

by HoozierDaddy on Nov 1, 2009 2:59 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

UCLA addmissions

Yes, they need to wake up. A better athletic program would generate more positive PR and also make the school even that much more attractive. I hate seeing players like Desean Jackson get passed over and picked up by Cal of all schools.

Yes, your exactly right, TD milked those lost years cruising on reputation alone.

“At least basketball produced a title.” Another favorite :)

by Bruin'96 on Oct 30, 2009 11:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What I don't get is

if the school’s purpose is to EDUCATE, why not bring those who have not been taught as well? Football is a great opportunity to bring in an athlete to UCLA who would otherwise go to a football school with an Underwater Basketweaving major, and TEACH him to be a better learner AS WELL AS a great football player.

But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.

by tasser10 on Oct 30, 2009 2:12 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Excellent point, Tas.

Who’s more articulate than Jabbar? But suppose he had gone to Airhead Tech and had not been challenged academically, or did not have the good fortune to be mentored by the greatest coach of all time in any sport? He may not have turned out quite the same.

I doubt that any academic rules had to be bent to allow him in the school (his numbers in academics were undoubtedly better than mine), but Tasser’s point is that we should take the opportunity to teach a kid who might not otherwise have the opportunity to develop.

by Fox 71 on Oct 30, 2009 6:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Another thing to consider is

What’s wrong for an athlete to come to school and dedicate himself to that chosen profession?

Film School, much like those want to play in the NFL and NBA offers very slim chances of actually rising to the level of a Steven Spielberg, and yet there is nobody forcing us to take math or engineering classes we don’t want to take.

I think they need to harness that desire and channel it towards some very real and complimentary courses in kinesiology.

A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. John Wooden

by MexiBruin on Oct 30, 2009 7:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry MexiBruin, but you don't know what you're talking about.

Film School is a graduate program, so those students have to do well in college in order to apply and be accepted. Part of doing well in college is completing GE classes.

Therefore, film students did, at some point, take science classes.

by PeterUCLA on Nov 11, 2009 12:55 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I know you're a fellow Bruin, but your sentiment is very misguided!

By your logic, UCLA should open its doors to the lowest-performing students to better “educate” them. That would immediately result in an exodus of top faculty, grants, and research from UCLA, thus making it a mediocre school.

California is governed by a master plan for higher education which stipulates (1) that the UCs are the primary graduate schools with strong, undergraduate programs, (2) that the CSUs are the primary undergraduate schools with some graduate programs, especially education and nursing, and (3) that the community colleges are general access undergraduate institutions focusing primarily on general education, trade, and technical training.

For this master plan to work, the UC must remain elite and research-driven. That type of environment, while needing some diversity, demands a high level of competence among the student body.

I’m proud of the high standards at UCLA, both academic and athletic. I think they can co-exist and coaches Rick and Ben are getting it done on the recruiting end without completely sacrificing the academic integrity of the university.

by PeterUCLA on Nov 11, 2009 1:01 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Agree

I was just brining up the point that it is part of the path to six wins and not to write it off. Stopping Canfield and the ’quiz and scoring TDs in the redzone are the first priorities but this was just a teaser for Nov. 28th

by PrincetonBruin on Oct 29, 2009 7:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

We can beat USC

There’s no doubt about it. When rivals play, anything can happen. My comments in the other thread were that I don’t think that by next season beating USC should be an expectation. While I understand the emotion behind expecting to beat USC, when you don’t have the same type of players, you can’t expect it IMO. That doesn’t mean we don’t have a chance though, this year or next.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Oct 29, 2009 7:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sure, it's a stretch

considering the way we’ve been playing, but that’s why I’m looking for a spark this week. The 2006 team was lost in the desert until about this point in the year so it’s not out of the realm of possibility. I’d be interested to see how we play against UW, who is probably better than their record shows and then I can feel more confident about the SUC game, but there is always the outside glimmer of hope. SUC is a two loss (Oregon is on fire and the game is at Autzen) team, hardly what they were in 2006. I do expect caught balls and minimized penalties this week however, win or lose

by PrincetonBruin on Oct 30, 2009 12:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great post

Well put, always great to hear from bruins outside of Southern California.

Always bleeding the bruin blue and gold.

by A Ucla Bruin on Oct 29, 2009 8:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

It's only temporary

If I could be in LA I would. This year the SC game coordinates with my very brief Thanksgiving Break and I will be at the game in enemy territory, decked out in Blue and Gold as always

by PrincetonBruin on Oct 30, 2009 12:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

SC feeder school?

Did you go to LCHS?

by JonnyG on Oct 29, 2009 10:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

If he went to Princeton

I ould have to assume he probably went to LCHS. That, or MCHS. Those are like, what, the only two good high schools in the greater Los Angeles area now? ;)

by CAJason80 on Oct 30, 2009 8:24 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

REALLY?

I grew up in LCF and recall that the city incorporated just to maintain control over its school district (ugly HS team colors, though). It is good to hear that they’ve kept up the standards.

by JonnyG on Oct 30, 2009 11:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Are you referring to Mira Costa or someone else when you say MCHS?

by bru79 on Oct 30, 2009 1:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Indeed I am referring to Mira Costa

by CAJason80 on Oct 30, 2009 3:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is the team deserving?

I get it about having hope and being a Bruin for life. I’m with you on that. But there is also looking the team in the eye and asking if they are deserving right now of our confidence. I would say no at this point in time. Except for the Tennessee game, they really have not shown they can produce a victory in the clutch. Maybe this weekend we will see them do that. But I have to see it before i start investing in any wild dream that they could beat a team like SUC.

by Keptycho on Oct 29, 2009 10:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

ummm . . .

But I have to see it before i start investing in any wild dream that they could beat a team like SUC.

Since when? The very definition of a dream (not the clinical one of course) is to dare to imagine the unimaginable. The operative word being dare. We didn’t have snowball’s chance in 2006 and we beat them. We had less of a chance in 2004 and beat them fair and square until the SPTRs came in and stole it from us.

If you are a part of this community, you are already invested. No one is saying you need to go out there and bet the farm. But, if you don’t believe we can beat a like SUC, what’s the point of being a fan?

A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. John Wooden

by MexiBruin on Oct 29, 2009 11:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

you sound like...

…every Yankees and Cowboys fan from the 90’s. So you won’t put your hope and confidence in a team that doesn’t dominate every week? Let me tell you something…I will always be a Bruin. Being a Bruin is more than just having a winning football and basketball program.

I think Conquest Chronicles is a better site for you. Sorry, but your comment is ridiculous.

by hicalliber on Oct 30, 2009 2:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

"'confidence"? - maybe "faith"

We’re mincing words here and maybe talking past each other. I will be cheering and hoping for a victory over $C* – as will most of the folks on this board, but I’m not betting the farm on it.

This is what makes CFB so great – when it comes to rivalry week we toss out the records.

by JonnyG on Oct 30, 2009 11:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

High School...

I have a feeling you went to Polytechnic High School. Am I wrong?

by NorthCampusBruin on Oct 29, 2009 10:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Agree with MexiBruin

about 2004, that one was stolen from us. That was a rough one to be at because we played so hard and didn’t get rewarded for it. I went to Loyola, from which apparently we signed a recruit TE a few weeks back. If you are talking about Long Beach Poly, we beat them for the CIF championship in 2003 by playing fundamental football, which is what our Bruins need to do. If you are talking about Pasadena Poly, they are a big feeder to the Ivies but not so much in the athlete pool

by PrincetonBruin on Oct 30, 2009 12:40 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I went to Loyola myself...

And I happen to live in South Jersey currently (just outside of Philadelphia, about 45 mins south of Princeton) so we certainly do have something in common. Being Bruins from the area is not easy or accomodating but with various resources, especially this site, we manage.

I definitely agree with your post – well stated.

by zinlinez on Oct 30, 2009 5:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the post, and I agree with the sentiment. That being said...

Screw Princeton. Screw Pete Carril. And screw the back door cut.

Seriously tho- nice post, and keep them coming.

by insomniacslounge on Oct 30, 2009 1:32 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Dear Lord Insomniac

I have no idea what you are talking about. WTH is this back door cut you are referring to? Okay never mind … I don’t want to find out either.

by Nestor on Oct 30, 2009 4:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

In one of the cafés in the student center

There is a big image of a Princeton player jumping up in jubilation immediately after the game, while our Bruins hang their heads in shock. It is my least favorite place on campus. I avoid it like the plague. My dad asked me who I would root for if they every played each other in the tournament again. Pton already had the upset, its all about CBH’s Bruins now!

"Beating USC isn't a matter of life and death, it's more important than that" -Red Sanders-

by PrincetonBruin on Oct 30, 2009 10:02 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also

Princeton basketball is horrible these days. We used to dominate the Ivy League in the 80’s 90’s and early 00’s and make the tourney a lot but then Penn got good again. You’ll be happy to know that our team is just pathetic nowadays

"Beating USC isn't a matter of life and death, it's more important than that" -Red Sanders-

by PrincetonBruin on Oct 30, 2009 10:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Reminds Me Of My Teenage Years Growing Up In Iowa

Excellent post. Definitely reminds me when I was a teen back in the 70’s and I fell in love with UCLA and all my buddies thought I was nuts; that I should be rooting for USC instead. Well, I got to seriously rub their noses in sh** during the 1975 season when John Sciarra took the team to the Pac 8 title; beating USC and then getting revenge on Ohio St. in the Rose Bowl on January 1, 1976.

Los Angeles Rams and the UCLA Bruins!!!!!

by Minnesota Bruinfan on Oct 30, 2009 4:41 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

UCLA football and Rose Bowl 1976

We were there watching Lynn Stiles tackle Webster (?) on the two point conversion. That team was a great example of what good coaching (Vermeil) can do with good players, and not a lot of “need to rebuild”. Vermeil left after that year to go to the Eagles, took Jerry Robinson with him and ended up in the Super Bowl in short order too.
Bill

BillSouthBay

by Mensgym on Oct 30, 2009 9:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Stiles + Webster = '66 vs. Mich St.

by bru79 on Oct 30, 2009 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

In 66, it was Bob Stiles tackling Bob Apisa on the two point try. And that was Coach Prothro.

The 1976 Rose Bowl was UCLA (coached by Coach Vermiel) against OSU. They marched up and down the field on us in the first half but only lead 3-0. They had a fullback the size of a mountain (Pete Johnson, who I think was over 260 and there was no one that big back in those days.) They also had Archie Griffin. For some reason which I have yet to figure out, Woody Hayes decided to do more passing in the second half, and their QB (Cornelius somebody) just didn’t have it.

We got a lead in the third quarter which looked invincible, but then they got a touchdown to make it sort of close. Then Wendell Tyler made about a million yard run and we won 23-10.

And as with MSU in ’66, OSU had beaten us earlier in the season. As with MSU, they were unbeaten and the number one team in the country, and we were enormous underdogs.

I think before everyone concedes this game to Oregon State that we should poll the ’66 and ’76 Rose Bowl teams and see whether a huge underdog has any chance of winning.

by Fox 71 on Oct 30, 2009 6:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well Said, PB

The talent gap with the junior college across town is narrowing, and the coaching gap disappeared two years ago. (Thankfully, the education gap between the two schools will never close.)

For those of us who grew up watching our Bruins own the trOJies in the 80’s and 90’s, this has been a very unfun decade. The next decade will be much better, and we can get it started a year early on November 28th.

Go Bruins! Go Ducks! Go Tigers!

Louisiana born, California grown - bleed Blue and Gold, with a healthy dose of Purple mixed in.

by ucla84 on Oct 30, 2009 7:18 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Rec’d x1000!

Go Bruins!

by Harsha on Oct 30, 2009 8:25 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Very Well Said

No matter how our team looks, UCLA vs. sc is always a game that can be won by either side. How sweet it would be if we won at the Coliseum!!!

by LoveMyBruins on Oct 30, 2009 9:28 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

that was an amazing read PrincetonBruin

my two favorite teams are UCLA and ANY TEAM that plays against suc…i too learned that at a very young age…just before kick-off at every UCLA/suc game i know we can win…while i have seen my share of suc victories over the BRUINS…i have also shared the winning atmosphere in person for a few GREAT UCLA VICTORIES as well…being hopeful going into the UCLA/suc games is a part of bleeding BLUE AND GOLD…that is something we all should share here…

by bruincheerleader on Oct 30, 2009 11:30 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

"Princeton needs a man like you...."

and so does BN.

Nice post. Keep’em coming.

by Bald Eagle on Oct 30, 2009 12:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The line is

“Princeton could use a man like you…”

But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.

by tasser10 on Oct 30, 2009 2:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks, Joel

Sometimes you just gotta say…..what the heck….

by Barnes2JJ on Oct 30, 2009 2:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

thanks for the clean up

right idea. poor execution

by Bald Eagle on Nov 1, 2009 10:13 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm a huge, die-hard Bruin fan in every respect

But no, we’re not beating SC this year. Is it possible? OF COURSE. If Appalachian State can beat Michigan then ANYTHING is possible. But come on man, it seems like you’re almost expecting us to win, or at least give SC a good run for their money. All I can say is don’t hold your breath. Our offense is God-awful and our defense is, well, better, but we’re still prone to huge lapses that lead to long touchdowns even against mediocre teams. And really, what’s going to change about either of those things this year? Is Kevin Craft going to suddenly realize his potential and start throwing passes to guys wearing blue and gold for once? Is Kevin Prince going to make every opposing defense look like San Diego State? Is Richard Brehaut going to disregard the entire learning process that every young QB goes through? No. None of those things are going to happen…THIS year. NEXT year is the one everyone, wisely, is looking forward to. I’m sorry to bust up the dream, but 2009 is a lost season, with a not-embarrassing loss at USC and young player growth the only things to possibly look forward to. Start pulling out your UCLA basketball gear, cuz the football team won’t be making any noise until 2010 at the earliest.

by theslammer on Oct 30, 2009 3:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

If that's the case

No need to be around BN during that game week.

by Nestor on Oct 30, 2009 3:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also a "die hard Bruin fan"

Would not attack Howland by calling him “stupid.”

by Nestor on Oct 30, 2009 3:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

mediocre teams?

We have the 3rd toughest schedule in the country!

Look, there’s nothing wrong with being realistic, but I expect us to be competitive in every game we play…and so far we have done just that (except against Cal). Yes, the team is going through growing pains, but perhaps we’ll be all grown up by the time we knock on U$C’s door.

by hicalliber on Oct 30, 2009 3:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I didn't say Howland was stupid

I said he should FEEL stupid for only having one capable point guard on the roster. And Nestor, really? I was emotionally devastated after each and every one of the Final Four losses and will now never set foot in Gainesville. Two of the happiest moments of my life are 73-71 and 13-9, and two of the worst moments are 52-14 and 66-19.

So yes, I AM a die-hard Bruin fan even if I don’t regard Howland and CRN as freaking gods. They’re both very good coaches, but they’re not perfect by any stretch. So I feel completely comfortable in crticizing their mistakes, and I don’t feel any special need to sugarcoat my feelings by writing 1,000-word fanposts whereby I cautiously question one of them while heaping praise on them at the same time. That doesn’t make me any less of a Bruin fan than you, it just makes me a cynical one.

Here’s something to consider, N: What have you seen as a UCLA fan? You saw the ‘95 title. You saw the eight-game winning streak vs. USC. You saw the glory days of UCLA sports. You know of a time when UCLA didn’t always disappoint its fans. Here’s what I’VE seen, from 2003-present: Losses in five of six games to USC in football (and soon to be six of seven), with most of USC’s wins coming in absolutely dominating fashion and our lone victory coming as a complete fluke, albeit a glorious one. Also, three glorious and exciting Final Four appearances from our basketball team…all of which ended in blowout losses, giving USC fans complete justification for their “WHERE’S YOUR TI-TLE?” chants and putting 2006-2008 UCLA basketball right up there with the ‘90s Buffalo Bills on the “So great but never won it all” dynasty list. Remember a post I wrote last week about the 2005 football season being so enjoyable, and you shut me down by basically saying that you barely enjoyed that season at all? THAT’S ONE OF MY HIGHLIGHTS AS A UCLA SPORTS FAN. Yeah, an 8-0 run filled with desparate comebacks against crappy teams that I and everybody else knew couldn’t possibly last. That’s just how pathetic my UCLA fandom has been, as I’ve been mostly disappointed every year I’ve been rooting for them.

Here’s my point: You’ve seen the days when UCLA was winning titles in basketball and was actually FAVORED to beat USC in football. I can’t even imagine what either one of those scenarios would be like. So yeah, I feel fully justified in being “cautiously optimistic” about UCLA football and basketball until they show me I should be a full-on optimist like you guys.

by theslammer on Oct 30, 2009 4:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

You have a history of being overly negative ...

… and posting baseless, unsupported arguments here on BN.

You called Ben Howland who stupid in a one line comment. I don’t really care how much passion you have as a “Bruin fan” … you don’t get to display it that way here on BN.

I understand the tough experiences you have had as an UCLA fan from “2003-present” but that doesn’t mean you get to concede a game against Southern Cal in this community. If you want to adopt that mindset this is not the place for you.

by Nestor on Oct 30, 2009 4:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Let me get in here real quick.

Purely as a peace maker.

Slammer, I share Nestor’s history of having been around for all the great years and being conditioned that that was the norm, recent history the exception. But after suffering these many long years (which in my book started in 2001) I can understand some of what you’re saying. One year, I had bought season tickets just so I would have guaranteed tickets to the City Championship at the Rose Bowl. But after another typical Dorrellian year in football, I did not want to suffer another ignominious defeat nor face their arrogant fans and did everything I could to sell those tickets. I knew we were going to lose that game.

A friend of mine who shares Nestor’s passion for all things UCLA Athletics swore up and down we were going to win. But, he swears as much every year. But, he got me feeling better anyways and I was able to go into the Rose Bowl with an open mind.

We won 13-9.

Nestor is right if not somewhat blunt in his assessment. We are Bruins. Like the Spartans at Thermopylae, we choose to be here, taking the brunt of the barbarian hordes so that decency and integrity will not perish from this earth. We do not ask for better odds, we fight because there is a fight to be fought. Reason and rationale has no business in this thing of ours.

A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. John Wooden

by MexiBruin on Oct 30, 2009 8:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And why should he "feel" stupid for that?

Have you seen how many guards he’s put in the league? Unless you’re going to do some massive overrecruiting, which is another definition of stupid, mass defections to the league due to success is the mark of a great program. He plucked both Collison and Westbrook out of relative obscurity and made them draft picks, the latter of which went in the lottery. You can’t automatically assume when you recruit these guys that you’re going to do so well with them that they will be ready for the next level after 1 or 2 years. The other option is picking up warm bodies simply for the sake of filling your roster at your thin positions, which I say thanks but no thanks to. That’s what both our last football coach and our last basketball coach did. I think we all know how that turned out.

by Tydides on Oct 30, 2009 10:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs