Steve Hartman: Pom Pom reality check
by bruin_nerd on Aug 30, 2009 1:15 AM PDT
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PrintSo, I know we're in the middle of evaluating our team right now. But, the team across town had their scrimmage. For those of us fortunate enough to live in L.A. (or maybe not so fortunate), CBS Sports Central covers a lot of local stuff. Although, we're subject to "robo-announcer" Jim Hill, the co-host is Steve Hartman - an admitted UCLA alumn. As they reported on the U$C* scrimmage, Hartman went into something just short of a tirade (looking for a video on YouTube). But it brought up some great points.
Hartman basically called Pom Pom's "historical decision" an arm waving exercise out of desperation...saying that if Corp were healthy, he would be starting. He even brought up Barkley's increase in interceptions in his Senior year. At one point, I thought Jim Hill wanted to jump across the desk and could imagine the producers having simultaneous heart attacks. But, the points were well thought out and valid (typical bruin). Good to know that there's some support in L.A. to counter the Trojan Times. I will attach the video if I can find it. Go Steve!
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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Nice.
Would love to see the video if you can find it.
Looking over South Central’s schedule I see 8 potential losses for them. I think they lose 4, maybe 5 games out of those 8. Anybody else want to weigh in?
A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. John Wooden
It's not going to be a 1 loss season like years past but...
I don’t think that they could possibly lose 5 games, let alone 8, despite Petey’s ineptitude as a coach (I’m going to have a post chronicling this soon). Potential losses, I’d say 11 (Everyone but Wazzu), but will it happen, no. I think the only real possible losses on their schedule (the rest would have to play out of their mind that day to have a chance against $c) are Ohio State, Cal, Oregon State, Oregon, & Notre Dame. I think they lose 3 out of those 5. Yes it will be a down year for them and yes, they have a true freshman starting @ QB, but they do have the luxury of of surrounding him with 10 talented returners (albeit, not a very explosive group, but talented noetheless). One bad note to deal with is that their #3 WR, Ronald Johnson broke his collarbone in practice and will be out 4-6 weeks. That has him missing the Ohio State game for sure, and possibly the Cal & Notre Dame games. Even if he makes it back for those, how much of a factor could he really be after missing so much time. Just a couple more days Ladies & Gentlemen!
never said they would lose 8
just potential embarrassments. My list of possible SC losses:
Ohio State: Terrell Pryor has a year under the gun, and they are playing in Columbus. Despite their embarrassments in Bowl Games, Ohio State is always ready to play especially in the Jim Tressell era.
Washington: Two things: Sarkisian knows not only the system but the players at SC. Also, Jake locker is a very mobile quarterback, and USC has always struggled and even lost to mobile QBs. See Vince Young and Pat Cowan. And oh yeah, the game is in Washington.
Cal: Arguably the best team in the Pac 10, they will have to beat SC if they want to cement their hold on the top spot. The game is also at Berkely, so home crowd plays a factor. However, Cal is every year the team most likely to choke.
Notre Dame: This one is mostly about Charlie Weis’ position on the hot seat. He knows he has to finally beat SC. The players are tired of losing to SC. Tired of hearing about it in the boardrooms and in the press. It’s in South Bend and one week after a tough game against Cal.
Oregon State: Just cuz it’s Oregon State. Also, while it is in LA, this game comes after two “tough” games against Cal and Notre Dame.
Oregon: Tough team every year. Away game, Quick QB, spread offense. during a very difficult stretch for SC. See next bullet item.
Arizona State: ASU is not supposed to be very good this year, but a couple ingredients for an upset here. 1) Dennis Erickson; say what you will he is one of the best coaches out there. 2) It’s in Arizona which means home crowd, and 3) the biggest kicker of all, they catch SC after the TrO.J.ays play 3 of 4 away. during which they will play 3 of their toughest opponents.
UCLA: Admittedly, a biased choice. But, we are improved this year. And, both Neuheisel and Norm Chow want a piece of Cheat Carroll before the NCAA swings it’s hammer and sends him back to the NFL. Big caveat for us, they have a bye week before they play us. So, it’s going to be a tough one for us. But not impossible.
A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. John Wooden
I agree
I do see those as all potential losses. Maybe I’ve been sipping on the Kool-Aid a bit myself, but I couldn’t see Cheaty letting them lose more than three. The rest will be close games, as most $C games generally have been until the 4th quarter when teams give up because they’ve psyched themselves out because they’re going against the mighty Trojans. The difference this year is, they don’t have that one gamebreaker that can carry the team to victory. The WRs are really good but no one has that breakaway speed that rips out the heart of the opponents. The RBs have the afforementioned speed but have an innability to read the defense/hit the hole. Combine that with the fact that they go 10 deep @RB so no one gets a chance to get hot. That is an excellent point you bring up about Washington. His knowledge of their roster & playbook go a long way. It could happen. Plus, they fit the perfect pedigree of a team that could upset $C. What a season it’ll be.
I think they lose 3
Pick three of the following:
1. Ohio State. At the Horseshoe facing a team that is more seasoned, at home, and angry at u$c*. But remember, it is better for $c* to lose later than sooner as these same arguments for tOSU would be used as arguments to downplay this loss for $c* if they run the table.
2. Cal. I think Cal does it at home this year barring a Cal-like meltdown. One more talented, at home and angry team for $c* to face.
3. Notre Dame. Don’t think the Irish are angry, talented, and sick of $c*? Seriously, ND has got the talent and this is the game, if anything, a win will keep Charlie Weis employed after this season. These are his guys after all and I think they play up in South Bend. I think that this a potential trap game for $c*. They are going to be more worried about Cal before and Oregon State behind ND. I think that Peaty is more concerned about Oregon St. than anyone this season because Mike Riley seems consistent and consistently good in particular against Peat.
4. Oregon St. See above. Haven’t lost much of what beat $c* in ‘08. The only wrinkle is that they are playing suc at home. Still, I think OSU has a lot to prove and definitely aren’t afraid to take it to the condoms at home.
5. Oregon. Same factors. Oregon to me isn’t as strong because of the coaching change. The potential to beat $c* is there but I don’t care how seamless a coaching change is, it always seems to work against most teams.
6. UCLA. I’m biased as I have stated before. We are away but not very far away. I’ll drink the Kool-Aid here because I want to believe. Our defense is strong and our offense will be better than last year. That will be an improvement.
7. Any team they play. The condoms have lost to teams at all talent levels. This is more a factor of what makes college football great than $c* sucks. Any team can beat any other team on any day. The myth of $c*, perpetuated by the media, as invincible has been fatally damaged in recent years. Every team wants to beat them and every team can do it. Put the right variables together and you get an $c loss.
Troy will fall.
by Bruins102NCAA on Aug 30, 2009 2:38 PM PDT up reply actions
Bruins, Bruins, Bruins....
I feel like the guy who pleaded with the student section not to thrown the cards after the card stunts.
Anywah, do NOT start counting just$c*"s losses just yet. My son made a statement that may well be his contribution to the advancement of civilization (and in my view it’s worthy.) When I was making comments like that, he said “Dad, don’t forget the sc sleaze factor.” There was the phantom pass interference call against Danny Graham. There was the phantom catch by Affolter. There have been fumbles that weren’t fumbles, and non-fumbles that were. Just as Cheatie Petie and his gang own the police, they also own the officials. Hence, we cannot overlook the “sleaze factor.” In some of those games that they should lose, the “sleaze factor” will get them a win.
You know Fox it's funny
Because my Trojan friends say similar things about calls that go against them. One of my friends claimed there was a study that showed the calls went against u$c* more often than not. To which I replied, “I would LOVE to see this study.” She never got back to me on that one. Go figure.
Troy will fall.
by Bruins102NCAA on Aug 30, 2009 6:12 PM PDT up reply actions
Except....
Oregon at home against Oklahoma. :)
by bornagainbruin on Aug 31, 2009 8:55 AM PDT up reply actions
well the sleaze factor is real.
And that’s why I say 4 or at best 5 of the potential 8 losses looming out there.
Actually I’m glad you brought up the sleaze factor. Like everybody else, I was really happy Norm Chow mentioned Kevin Prince as his next Heisman winner. But, I felt sad shortly thereafter because Coach Chow has never had the SC Mafia working against him. I remember SC’s contribution to Deshaun Foster’s SUV-gate that essentially lost him the Heisman. Don’t think they are not petty enough to try something else when we are back in the promised land and we have a player or players being mentioned in the same sentence with Heisman Trophy.
A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. John Wooden
sc SUCKS!!!!
sc also holds the record for the most touchdowns without the football – thanks refs. Many times they have “scored a touchdown” and their running back or receiver didn’t have the football in his hands or was out of bounds when the ball was caught. It has happened a time or two during the sc/UCLA games. I believe one time was with Johnny Morton.
arrogance + ignorance = u$c.
HOORAY STEVE HARTMAN!!!!!
by Forever a Bruin on Aug 30, 2009 10:07 PM PDT reply actions
I like Hartman
And Jim Hill’s run throughs are getting so monotone and perfunctory. Also, re: local tv, those putzes over at channel 7, Sandoval and Fukazaki, are the biggest SC homers.
Fukuzaki
My wife saw Rob Fukuzaki act like a jerk after interviewing Coach Wooden when we were students there. It was at a Wooden booksigning in the UCLA Store. Fukuzaki spoke very slowly and rather patronizingly, then when they were finished taping, he didn’t thank Coach and said something like “alright, that’s done, let’s get out of here.”
by Westwood Wizard on Aug 31, 2009 10:42 AM PDT up reply actions
PMS Show
Fukazaki is very high on the PMS Show’s list of douchey sports casters.
Oh UCLA you sweet bitch, you've BRUINed me for anything else.
Bigger ones were at Channel 5
They are owned by Tribune, so they became the TV version of the fishwrap, plus they have some u$c* alums working there.
That’s where I lost all respect for Carlos Amezcua (whom I think is still at Channel 11, sorry I’m a Bruin in exile). He is a BYU alum, but you would never know it by the way he sucked up to Cheety, Whinehart and Bu$h. The final straw was when he would make fun of CBH’s talks, saying he sounds like Donald Duck.
by bruinbabe2000 on Aug 31, 2009 12:29 PM PDT up reply actions
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