Locking In On Stanford Cardinal: UCLA's Biggest Pac-10 Game Since 2001

by Nestor on Sep 27, 2009 9:35 AM PDT in Football Comment 49 comments

So we all had fun watching football games from all over the country and within the conference yesterday. I get that lot of people are now really eager and want to think about the big picture in terms of how the season is going to end for UCLA as the conference seems to be well "wide open":

The Pac-10 race is wide open: There will be no weeks off in the Pac-10 this year. Even Washington State has shown enough to toss off the patsy label. Oregon might be the latest flavor of the week, but is anyone really counting out USC? Or Cal? And what about Arizona State's effort at Georgia? The Sun Devils proved their first two games weren't a mirage. Of course, a competitive conference means a black-and-blue conference, and the nine-game round robin schedule means the likelihood of a team emerging unscathed is nearly zero. In fact, it's a good bet now that the eventual champion will win a tie-breaker among two-loss teams.

That was from Ted Miller, the veteran Pac-10 observer writing on his WWL blog. While some here want to take pleasure in other team's tough weekend, I think as a UCLA fan we should be well advised given our team's history, we don't look ahead and just lock into our next game (ok, we can make exception for the Trojies, who were getting booed by the lovely Trojan family).

I believe the Stanford game this weekend is the biggest conference road game UCLA is going to be playing in since the Stanford road game in 2001. I am not going to go over again on how no one here thought much of Dorrell's "10 win" aberration from 2005. We all knew that season was a total aberration where we were getting bailed out in one game after another by 2 Live Drew. We all knew in the back of our mind we were never really in real contention of the Pac-10 conference race and it got confirmed when Dorrell's incompetency was exposed in Arizona and then slaughtered in the Coloseum. We never had a chance were living off miracles.

Well for the first time since 2001, Bruins can have a shot at it. However, they will get that shot IF AND ONLY IF they can execute against a tough, superbly coached Stanford Cardinal this upcoming Saturday in Palo Alto. Last week it was Washington, that was the toast of the Pac-10. This week it will be the Oregon Ducks and Toby Gerhart and his Stanford bunch Bruins will be taking on in Palo Alto.

Given how the Cardinal thoroughly dominated the Huskies in the trenches last night, making Gerhart look like the best RB in the conference, while turning Locker into something ordinary, I'd say the Bruins will be underdogs against a fired up bunch which will also be chomping for revenge. The last thing UCLA or any of its fans will want to do is look past this team. And we will make sure that no one does that here on Bruins Nation. If you want to talk how UCLA is going to do against any other opponent besides Stanford this coming week, you will have to look to somewhere else because here we will be locking in on the Cardinal the same way we lock onto opponents during March Madness. At this point this is our game of the year, and nothing else is really going to matter. More after the jump.

As mentioned above Stanford Cardinal is going to be one of the two celebrated Pac-10 teams (other one being Oregon) this coming week:

Stanford is on the cusp of breaking through: The Cardinal bullied Washington with 321 yards rushing, and the defense played much better, holding the Huskies to 290 total yards and just one offensive TD. Think there's some regret about how the second half went at Wake Forest? Nonetheless, Stanford sits atop the Pac-10 with a 2-0 record in conference play. Another win or perhaps two and the Cardinal enters the Top 25.

I haven't seen the line for our game yet. I am going to assume they are going to be 4-7 point favorites. Also, I am going to get guess they are going to treat our game as their biggest one in their recent program history. The way it's shaping up now this game is going to be the more pivotal one for early conference positioning, than the one that will take place across the bay.

So the Bruins are going to be taking on a group that will be hungry for revenge and who also like the Tennessee volunteers will feel deep down that they gave the game away to us via the prevent defense last season. I was looking through the stats of last year's game and it was disconcerting to note that the Trees averaged almost 6 yards rushing against our front 7. Well one year later Gerhart seems to be more polished and stronger. He also seems to have a QB in Anrew Luck, who seems to be a better game manager than either Tavita Pritchard or Alex Loukas. Luck is doing heck of a job minimizing his mistakes and picking his opportunities for striking with play action passes.

If the Bruins want to pull out a win next weekend, we will need to be sharp and polished on defense. That means our guys will have to stay within their assignments, minimize mistakes, and do much better job with tackling than what was on display against Kansas State. Not to mention we will need much better play from the special teams coverge and continued improvement on the OL.

I will say again UCLA is not in a position to take Stanford lightly. If I were UCLA coaches and players, I would be extremely careful about saying anything that would give the Cardinal an extra edge. I will just offer up the trash Bob Toledo offered up before taking our Number 4 ranked Bruins up to Palo Alto in 2001:

Chris Lewis [then QB for Stanford], aided by an effective Stanford running game, picked the Bruins apart. And understand, this Bruins defense was considered by many to be the finest in the country. Led by new defensive coordinator Phil Snow, the Bruins' defense had been shopping for a nickname. "The Snowstorm" had been suggested.

Yesterday: dandruff.

Before the game, UCLA coach Bob Toledo said Stanford would draw only about 50,000 fans (64,495 showed up) for the game and he likened that to "a Safeway parking lot."

You have to love it when college football coaches talk trash. Toledo must have been chagrined when his baby blue SUV got totaled by a runaway shopping cart in the hands of a second-stringer.

Well the outcome wasn't fun and many would say that was the game that officially accelerated UCLA football's cratering into total abyss this past decade.

So on that note, let's get ready for a fun game week. Let's dive into our next game. Let's talk about our opponent with respect but no fear. Let's talk about matchups and strategies Neuehisel, Chow and Bullough will be looking at to get a W. Let's lock in and talk this game to death.

Oh and don't forget if you haven't made plans yet, get on them right now. Find a way to get to Palo Alto on Saturday if you live in or around California. As I said up top this is the biggest Pac-10 game UCLA has played since 2001.

GO BRUINS.

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Underdogs as usual.

2 weeks off, well rested, adv ucla.

Should be a great game, wish it was today . Our biggest negative is prince is still out. Hopefully the coaching staff with the extra time can make that a non issue. Win sat and the 1 out of two will set us up for a strong finish. Game on Bruins!!!!!

by Bruin'96 on Sep 27, 2009 10:03 AM PDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Yep

Having Prince (or Brehaut) in there concerns me. I am guessing Stanford is going to load up the box all day and force us to beat them via the passing game. I am really unsure right now what to expect from our offense. This will be a huge game in terms of finding where our OL is in terms of development.

by Nestor on Sep 27, 2009 10:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's too bad

Because it seems (from what I read — Locker didn’t really prove it) that Stanford’s weakness is their secondary, so the way to exploit them is with a good passing game. I do remember that our best offense against them last year came on two 2-minute drives at the end of each half.

To win next week we will have to pass the ball. I don’t think we can “manage” our way to a win.

by bluebland on Sep 27, 2009 10:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think we can

I think the key again on defense will be to set the tone early. Gerhart is an amazing talent but we will have to stuff him up the middle and make sure our DBs are staying disciplined and not biting on PAs.

As for offense our line I think is a little better and we have more speed from our backs. We will have to think about moving the ball with chunks of yardage at a time and get Craft/Brehaut in short yardage situations on 2nd and 3rd downs. I think we can do it but it’s going to take focus and discipline. If we can eliminate the bad penalties we were taking against KSU, we will have a decent chance of being productive on offense and “manage” the game.

by Nestor on Sep 27, 2009 10:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Still, I wouldn't be surprised

If a perfectly timed, well-executed trick play for a touchdown ends up being the difference on offense.

I just think Stanford will be stacking, stacking, stacking.

by bluebland on Sep 27, 2009 10:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

On defense

my biggest worry is that we have a true freshman corner in Price and a very small corner in Viney playing opposite Verner. If I was a coach, I’d be looking to send Gerhart down their sideline.

by captainqtp on Sep 27, 2009 11:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Didn't Viney

perform well against the rush at Tenn?

by bluebland on Sep 27, 2009 1:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He did fine

but will he do fine after Gerhart runs up his sideline for the 5th time in a drive?

by captainqtp on Sep 27, 2009 1:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gerhart

is a “between the tackles” kind of runner. Although your point is well taken because neither Price nor Viney are very big. We’ll need help from the safeties and good tackling from our LBs.

by hicalliber on Sep 27, 2009 3:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

True

I guess I still have visions of Viney getting hurdled for a crucial touchdown last year. Was that against Tennessee?

by captainqtp on Sep 27, 2009 5:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

DB's

Our DB’s are the most sound tacklers on the team. I watched the Tennessee game again noticing their expertise in open-field tackles, great coaching, and looking at their builds, Hardesty is faster, and weighs just less than Gerhart. Don’t want to really lock on to comparison, but its a start

by ucla13_usc9 on Sep 27, 2009 2:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

How hard is it to get tickets for the Stanford game?

Hi everyone,

I am going to be up in the SF Bay Area for the next weekend(I will be flying into the airport early morning). Does anyone know how hard it will be to just buy tickets at Stanford stadium? Or is there any way to prebuy the ticket online right now? Thanks in advance for any help with this. Go Bruins!

Go Bruins!

by Bruin1996 on Sep 27, 2009 10:11 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

It's not hard

UCLA has tickets for $20 and I believe Stanford is selling general admission for $12. See this fanshot for details on pre-game bash and tickets. After last night’s game more tickets will be sold, I’m sure, so get your tickets now!

"The entire world that bleeds blue and gold ... they have been dying for this." - Coach Rick Neuheisel

by uclafan11 on Sep 27, 2009 10:37 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tickets are available through the Stanford Athletics website

Link to the ticket office here. General admission is $12, reserved tickets start at $25, and visitor section reserved (if available) are $20. You can print at home or pick them up at will call day of game.

I don’t think the game will be a complete sell out (iirc, the Cal game 2 years ago is the only sellout at the new stadium), but between last night’s result and a greater excitement among Stanford fans htis year, it could come close.

by bruinhoo on Sep 27, 2009 10:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

hoo

I think it might be worth it put this info. up in a separate fanpost. That way it’s even more readily viewable for other folks. I will bump it up as well.

Thanks man.

by Nestor on Sep 27, 2009 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No problem

fanpost is up

by bruinhoo on Sep 27, 2009 11:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Awesome

Thanks man. BTW … did you move out of DC?

by Nestor on Sep 27, 2009 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

In sort of a holding pattern now

Right now, I’m home In the bay area.

by bruinhoo on Sep 28, 2009 1:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Appalingly, embarassingly easy

The stadium was roughly 55% full against the Huskies, which is the fullest it’s been for years other than the non-Big Game. I expect it to be maybe 60% full against the Bruins

by 4.0 Point Stance on Sep 27, 2009 1:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nestor, a request

Please warn in advance when a link is going to be to the ‘wrap, and especially to Plashke. Had I known, I wouldn’t have clicked. Reading that wasted 15 of the remaining seconds of my life, and added nothing to it, other than a greater appreciation for the writing which appears here. Plashke is really a poor writer. You can call it “style” or whatever you want to call it, but it wouldn’t get brother Plashke out of English 1A at UCLA.

by Fox 71 on Sep 27, 2009 10:52 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Fox, just hover your mouse pointer on the link

and the address will appear below on the status bar of your browser, but I get what your saying.

by brewnz on Sep 27, 2009 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good start to the week Nestor

This game is HUGE for both teams. I think we will be 3-4 point dogs. Toby Gerhart is a great back and they like to sock you in the mouth with their running game. It’s strength on strength our front seven versus the O-line and Toby. Here’s why I like our chances: their outside passing game is non-existant. We will be able to put our corners on an island and dare Luck to throw it. I look for a grinding game on both sides as both teams try to rely on defense and the running game. This could be a game where special teams make the difference. Overall, these two teams probably havr the best specials in the conference. Our return teams can’t get loose with their explosive return game. The team that keeps the details clean will probably win this one. Turnovers and penalties will loom large for the loser. I can’t wait to see what wrinkles we’ve added over the bye week. The atmosphere will be electric. Can’t wait.

by BruinAl on Sep 27, 2009 10:56 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Boy

Hitler must have been upset with the booing fans.

"The entire world that bleeds blue and gold ... they have been dying for this." - Coach Rick Neuheisel

by uclafan11 on Sep 27, 2009 11:03 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

That is hilarious

by brewnz on Sep 27, 2009 1:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Game Notes

I’m sure that Nestor & Co will drill down in detailed analysis this week, but I like our chances in the game in general due to our D, and Run D specifically. We need to be sure that:

- our tackling on the perimeter continues to be solid and we wrap Gerhart behind or at the LOS. He is a hard runner to bring down when he gets going downhill.

- we contain on special teams. Owusu (sp?) for Stanford had ANOTHER KO Ret for TD yesterday, I believe his THIRD of the season. We need to squib or out of bounds if Locke can’t get the leg to drive it deep. Here’s hoping he will.

- limit the short field and use field position to our advantage again. Can’t see Stanford running the ball 80-90 yards on our excellent run D. On the other hand, if we hand them the ball due to TO or other reason in good field position, could be a long day.

Final note – did anyone see that the KO returner for KState went off yesterday for two TDs against Tenn Tech? Not the stiffest of competition, but that guy is the real deal. It also partially explains why we gave up quite a few yards.

We better strap it on and be ready to go against Owusu and others this Saturday.

GO BRUINS!! SEE YOU ON THE FARM!!

by bruin4life1993 on Sep 27, 2009 11:24 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I like Craft for this game

Just from the fact that he led us to a win with that clutch TD pass to Harkey in the closing seconds. I don’t know how much Stanford has changed since last season, but having a QB that has seen action against them and pull out a clutch win goes a long way given the inexperience of our other 2 top QB’s (Brehaut a true frosh and Prince out).

by drebruin on Sep 27, 2009 12:09 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Red zone execution and time of possession.

Stanford opponents score inside the red zone. Stanford opponents have scored on 10 of 12 red zone possessions thus far this season, 7 of which have gone for TD’s. If the Bruins can stop stalling inside the red zone and punch the ball in, it bodes well for them.

Additionally, Wake Forrest won the time of possession game, and won. Stanford has otherwise won the TOP in their 3 wins.

I believe these two stats are telling and will also determine the outcome of the game.

by sam_in_hb on Sep 27, 2009 12:43 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The Wake loss had a lot to do with the cross-country trip IMO

Game started at 9 am pacific. Stanford won the first half, lost the second. I think they were just worn down.

A few notes – as everyone knows, Stanford’s entire offense is predicated on between the tackles running. Expect to see a steady dose of power plays (guard pulls to strong side) and the occasional counter. Harbaugh also loves to run the lead draw out of the I, although I didn’t see any of those against Washington. Stop those three plays and you stop the Stanford offense.

Gerhardt is one of the 5 best backs in the country. I genuinely believe this. I also believe that Owen Maricec, the fullback, is one of the five best fullbacks in the country. Andrew Luck is the golden boy 5* quarterback, but he’s unproven and Harbaugh is not comfortable telling him to sling it.

Wide receivers are a different story. Not a deep group to say the least. Ryan Whalen is the token white possession receiver. He’s probably got the best hands on the team. But Chris Owusu, the true soph, is the one to pay attention to. Incredible athlete with 3 KR touchdowns on the year. They’ll try to get him the ball on the edges via end arounds or screens and let him turn on the jets. He’s a threat to score from anywhere.

Defensively, the strength appears to be on the line. They did a great job pressuring Locker and ate up Washington’s read option game. Clinton Snyder is a 4 year starter at mike linebacker and probably the surest tackler.

As noted above, the defensive weakness is in the secondary. Bo McNally plays strong safety; he’s the best DB and a ballhawk. But he’s not going to cover wideouts stride for stride. The corners and free safety are new and untested. In fact, one of the starting corners (Sherman) and the starting FS (Howell) were offensive players until they switched in spring. 2 years ago Sherman led us in receptions, now he’s the #1 corner. He can be picked on (assuming UCLA has a quarterback who can throw the ball).

by 4.0 Point Stance on Sep 27, 2009 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

unless they are playing against a team with a terrible d line

Stanford will run the ball and the game will be relatively low scoring.

Our line is way better than UWs and I think our defense is very good and able to stop a 1 dimensional offense. I don’t see stanford scoring more than the low 20s, and could be held to less.

The question is going to be whether our offense can score more than three touchdowns. If so, we win. Less than three and we are in a dogfight.

"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"

by silverlakebruin on Sep 27, 2009 1:37 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

When does the Stanford game start???

Making plans for trip up!!!

by GogetemBruins on Sep 27, 2009 2:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

12:30 Got it.

I’ll be there +5.
GO BRUINS.

Does Stanford have as good running game as Tenneessee? Maybe, but they sure won’t have 100K+ screaming fans. I like UCLA’s chances in this game.

by GogetemBruins on Sep 27, 2009 2:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tennessee > Stanford.. in rushing

Tennessee has the best rushing look we’ll see all season,
Well, since Cal look horrendous, and SC is sputtering.

Stanford won’t use zone blocking as efficiently as UT did, but Crompton is just so bad that we could put 9 guys in the box frequently.

Tennessee also has the best defense that we’ll see for the rest of the season. No doubt.
So by that logic, which is faulty, we’ll win by 2 possessions. Don’t count on it, but that’s just by comparison

by ucla13_usc9 on Sep 27, 2009 2:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tennesee barely beat Ohio

Crompton is literally the worst quarterback in Division I (although you guys could give him a run for his money…) Luck is better even as a freshman.

by 4.0 Point Stance on Sep 27, 2009 3:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You can't compare scores

The BARELY lost to Florida too, I guess that makes Florida a bad team because they didn’t blow out a team that lost to UCLA and BARELY beat Ohio, try again

by ucla13_usc9 on Sep 27, 2009 4:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

But I do agree

Luck is better than Crompton, because well, Luck is a college level QB

by ucla13_usc9 on Sep 27, 2009 4:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Special Teams coverage needs to be solid on Sat

unlike the KState game. Stanford’s returner already has 3 kickoff TD’s this year. I hope that the extra time spent in practice this past week pays off…

I was able to watch a lot of the Wash game but none prior – how has Luck looked when they had drives that they NEEDED to throw? Gerhart and their running game was so stout against UW that it opened up the passing game nicely. IF our front can key in on stopping the run – I just wonder how Luck would look if we made him throw (with our ball hawking secondary).

Free Brandon Wood!

by gorams77 on Sep 27, 2009 2:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

How this would turn out

Stanford is not a one dimensional team by any means. Luck is a highly talented guy, but like it been mentioned above, he hasn’t been faced with too much adversity. The only reason they aren’t undefeated is because they’re defense is so stagnant. I’ll take a shootout, but I would prefer a defensive battle because we have so much of an advantage.

by ucla13_usc9 on Sep 27, 2009 2:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Doesn't matter who we have at QB as long as...

1. don’t commit so many penalties _;;
2. avoid turnovers…like fummbbbblllinnggggg
3. eat clock; who cares if it’s an ugly game? we’ll have the better kicker; run run run

by TheNewbster on Sep 27, 2009 3:09 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

and I would add that we focus on field position and not giving up big plays in special teams.

by hicalliber on Sep 27, 2009 3:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Whoops

Need to go back and re-read your own archives there, Nestor.

10/31/05, following 30-27 (OT) at Stanford: "I don’t know man. I really don’t know any more. I can’t take this any more. But, I really have no choice right now but to believe, believe in our 2LiveDrew…Well there are going to have to realize something special is happening in Westwood…Right now, I need to keep gathering my thoughts and say most importantly of all just be thankful to the Gods of Football. May be just may be they are officially getting rid of the dark clouds, that have been hovering over the Nation…As I wrote yesterday, the motto for the Nation for rest of the year: IN 2 LIVE DREWS WE TRUST. GO BRUINS. "

9/27/09: “We all knew that season was a total aberration where we were getting bailed out in one game after another by 2 Live Drew…We all knew in the back of our mind we were never really in real contention of the Pac-10 conference race…We never had a chance were living off miracles.”

Look, I don’t want this to be mistaken as a personal attack on you. But come on, dude. I was a UCLA fan prior to 2005, but all of the amazing comebacks and thrilling fourth quarters helped transform me into a full-blown UCLA junkie not unlike yourself. And, judging by things that you actually wrote in the past, you felt a similar rush during the Cal/WSU/Stanford/UW games as well, and were, like me, very much enjoying the 8-0, top 5 BCS ranking part of the season. Therefore, although you very much dislike KD and have spent the last few years convincing yourself that everything the man ever did at UCLA was evil…have some respect for the 2005 team. That team had to play against its opponents as well as its coach every single week, and when you consider that, it really is a miracle that they managed to win 10 games and pull so many heart-stoppers out of their asses. So far, they’re my favorite UCLA football team that I’ve followed (I’ve been a fan since 2003…talk about your bad timing, I know), so please, I’d like their memory not to be completely belittled.

by theslammer on Sep 27, 2009 5:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Those victories were nice and fun

But in the big picture that season was no where close to the rushes we experienced during our Rose Bowl seasons. That season was an aberration and didn’t mean much in the broader context of UCLA history. It was just about as meaningful as the worthless Sweet-16 appearances during Lavin era. The rushes we got in the short term was great … but didn’t mean much in the context of a listless and leadership program under Karl Dorrell.

You can’t just revise history by selectively digging up posts without considering the body of posts making up the narrative of Dorrell era.

by Nestor on Sep 27, 2009 5:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I feel sorry for anybody who came of age as a fan

During a corrupt coaching tenure. I was high on the highs back then too, even tho I’d been a die-hard since the Rose Bowl season of 93, because it was my junior year at UCLA and I wanted to think something magical could happen while I was there despite the dodo.

But losing 52-14 to a winless team after a bye-week is more than a disappointment. It exposes all the preceding miracles as shams, mirages, job-saving hocus-pocus that inflated the record of a .500-team. It was great to see MJD and ML in action; it was great to witness a year in which our QB was 32-3 TD/int. in the reg. season. But none of it lasted past 52-14.

Likewise, I don’t have a single fond memory of all of Lavin’s seven years, not even that first Michigan Sweet-16 game where they hilariously kept letting us inbound it to our only good free-throw shooter (Kris Johnson).

We won despite being lousy. There’s no pride in that. Just sheer luck.

by bluebland on Sep 27, 2009 6:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep

the destruction in the hands of pathetic Arizona team and the debacle against U$C* washed away all the “rushes” from that Lavinian/Dorrellian season.

by Nestor on Sep 27, 2009 6:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Still some rushes from that year

I agree that even as the season was happening, most fans knew that a reality check was going to hit that team eventually. But despite the inept coaches, it was certainly a thrill to see MJD do his thing on the football field. That kid was (and still is) electric. I feel bad for him that he was put in an environment where he couldn’t have more team success.

In some ways, Maurice Jones Drew is the football counterpart to Baron Davis. Although I feel even worse for Baron b/c while our football team certainly underachieved, I don’t think it’s talent level was BCS title worthy. Baron’s teams however, should have been cutting down some nets if they’d only had a coach that had half a f*cking clue on how to play the game of basketball!!!

Oh great…now I’m ticked off again.

by insomniacslounge on Sep 28, 2009 2:26 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

MJD/Baron Davis is a good comparison

But don’t sell the talent Toledo left Dorrell with short. We have written a lot about the talent Dorrell inherited and then went on to underachieve with in his first three years. That 10 win season in some ways was underachievement because they shouldn’t have to resort to miracle comebacks, suffer humiliating losses and end up in a boring Sun Bowl.

by Nestor on Sep 28, 2009 5:27 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The worst part about Lavin...

…is that he always acts (maybe he believes it too!!) as if he got fired because he didn’t win a title every single year and that the fans are insatiable. Actually Mr. Lavin, it’s because you couldn’t coach your way out of a paper bag and degraded the quality of new recruits while living off the talent that Harrick left you!

shakes fist at whoever brought up Lavin :)

by BoltDaddy on Sep 28, 2009 9:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The only thing I vividly remember about the 2005 season

Was right after that UCLA/Stanford game. My fiance and I were in Jacksonville, watching a DJ Shockley-less UGA team lose to Florida 17-7 because we had to play Joe Tereshinski III at quarterback. My fiancee wore her UCLA sweatshirt to the game because it was the only warm thing she brought.

After the UGA game, we’re walking back to the Landing, and someone comes out of nowhere and yells “Hell Yeah! Go Bruins!” We ended up hanging out with him for a couple of hours and watched that crazy ass Stanford game end at something like 1AM out at the Landing.

I tend to just block the Arizona game from memory. If my limited recall of that event does exist at this point, we all left my house in the middle of the 2nd quarter to go grocery shopping and pick up more beer because we knew we were going to get slaughtered.

Coming of age during the Dorrell era as a UCLA fan/student must have sucked. I keep wanting to remind people, “You know, during the 90s, we beat USC sometimes by 20+ points.” The highlight of the entire Dorrell era is 13-9. Before that, it was ‘losing to USC, but not by that much.’ Oy.

by CAJason80 on Sep 28, 2009 2:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

2005 Season

This game is no where near the 2005 game we had against USC. I guess people forget and it’s best we do. We were at 10 wins and in the national picture for a change only to be sent back to reallity by the Trojans 66-19. What a beatdown they gave us. Was a complete nightmare. Why they claim this is the biggest game since 2001 is behond me.

by Football Gur on Sep 30, 2009 5:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Special Teams

Anyone else notice the extra time spent on basics this week by the coaches? Attention to detail, defense and special teams should be fine. Our offense needs to not blow it, then we will win. Same formula that got us out of Tenn will apply here.

by Bruin'96 on Sep 27, 2009 10:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs