BCS or Bust

by Nestor on Aug 1, 2007 4:46 AM PDT in Football Comment 26 comments

Totally missed this amusing cheerleading piece in Yahoo! Sports from Rick Kimbrel, the publisher of BruinBlitz. Per Kimbrel Dorrell squad is "sprinting" towards training camp and dead set with their high expectations this coming season (uhm, emphasis mine):

Senior defensive tackle Kevin Brown has never been in better shape. He knows the clock is ticking on his UCLA career and now in his final season there is a sense of urgency. Brown looks ready.

Brown's defensive tackle running mate, senior Brigham Harwell looks like a beast. He is benching close to 500-pounds and looks it. Harwell, like Brown, knows what's at stake and he wants to go with a bang.

The injured players from spring that were there are all chomping at the bit to get back on the field. To a man, senior fullback Michael Pitre, senior running back Chris Markey and Breazell can't wait for training camp to get back in action.

In talking with the players' it is BCS or bust in 2007. The players' have high aims for the coming season. What was notable is they are approaching the season one game at a time.

More than one player said that anything less than BCS will be a disappointment. That kind of mentality is important. These guys want to win and they want to win a lot.

Anything less will not be tolerated. This is the first time in the Karl Dorrell regime where there will be solid depth across the board.

Make sure to read the whole piece. Its pretty amusing, which includes the following vision Kimbrel has of Ben Olson:

Olson appears to be learning and besides learning he seems to be shaking things off better. Those two elements will be key for the offense this season.

The more I see Olson, the more his situation reminds of what happened to Carson Palmer during the early part of his career at USC.

In other words Kimbrel is implying that we should expect Ben Olson to put up same numbers Carson Palmer during his last year at Southern Cal.

Hey who are we to pour cold water on Kimbrel's excitement?

We are saying the same thing. Dorrell has everything he needs. There should be ABSOLUTELY NO EXCUSES should Dorrell fail to win at least the Pac-10 championship this coming season.

BCS or Bust it is.

GO BRUINS.

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But "you can't win every game"

No seriously, if we're going to believe that the players expect nothing less than a BCS bowl, a lofty but reasonable goal, then I better see them DEVASTATED if they lose this season like Afflalo was. A BCS bowl is for an elite teams, and elite teams believe they can and should win every game. I'm not attacking our players here, because maybe they truly do believe this, in which case I applaud them, because it would be in spite of KD's bar lowering. There's a big difference between some vague reference to "bringing the tradition back" whatever the hell that means, and explicitly talking about BCS berths.

by Tydides on Aug 1, 2007 6:23 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

And no more "3 game seasons," either, as KD declared last year.

Everyone think about that for a something: Have you ever heard another coach try to "salvage" a season by declaring that the remainder of the games represented a "3 game season"?

I guess last year's 3 game season didn't include tanking in the Nut Bowl which, looking back, I believe we lost due to lack of preparation and motivation. It also still bothers me that KD SAID that no one loses their job to injury, but then he didn't play Olson in the Nut Bowl even though he was healthy. I know it would have been hard to bench to Cowan after the SuC victory, but either you stick to your promises...or you don't. Don't think Ben Olson doesn't remember this broken promise.

All we can do is hope that KD has "grown and learned" on the job and that the team really does have a "we can win it all" attitude this year.

by Barnes2JJ on Aug 1, 2007 6:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That "3-0" chant

made us look like some sh!tty program from MWC. Wait Dorrell loses to those teams in his bowl games.

by bluestreet on Aug 1, 2007 6:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ahh, that 3-game season...

I remember that declaration all too well. And all the KD followers went along -- yeah, yeah, that's it...a 3 game season...anything you say, boss...

I know, why don't we redefine 2007 as a one-game season: Stanford. That way, UCLA (most likely) will have an undefeated season. Do you think the BCS people will go for that?

by bluegold on Aug 1, 2007 7:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rick Kimbrel ...

is a fucking tool.

Go Bruins

by Achilles on Aug 1, 2007 8:58 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

yep

he writes like he has a man crush on the players ... and his piece last week defending Scott as if he was the model citizen and Sister Teresa of the inner city was ridiculous. I cant believe that guy's stuff is making it on Yahoo Sports. I mean, I am rah rah UCLA too, but he is juiced up intravenously to the kool-aid, its embarrassing.

editor, DumpDorrell.com ... formerly posted as DumpDorrell

by BruinCore on Aug 1, 2007 3:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Whoa, whoa, WHOA!

"More than one player said that anything less than BCS will be a disappointment. That kind of mentality is important. These guys want to win and they want to win a lot."

NO.

FREAKING.

EXCUSES.

Read my sig.

WHY NOT US? WHY NOT NOW?

by Meriones on Aug 1, 2007 9:49 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

31 days to kickoff

Can anyone believe it?

It will be here before we know it.

How about a couple of blow-out victories (with UCLA on the winning side) for a change? Wouldn't that be refreshing?

Frankly, I will stand up in the stands and applaud KD if the team throws the ball on first down instead of running straight up the gut. I know running up the gut is a sure-fire winner on first down, but it might be time to break the mold.

No more excuses is right. UCLA fans (not necessarily the ones who regularly post on BN) need to wake up and stop settling for mediocrity.

by Barnes2JJ on Aug 1, 2007 10:12 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

2008

Once again I must caution the group.
There is a special ring to "taking it one game at a time".. I will have to remember that one.
Also, BO is "learning".... he has been in the system for 4 years now, so one would suspect he had learned before now. I believe the KD cliche closet has worn off on me too!!! :>)

BillSouthBay

by Mensgym on Aug 1, 2007 10:49 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I wonder if any of these guys

Still have their Pac 10 championship bracelets from last year!

This is why I'm saying we'll lose 6 this year, because it's still the same players who have NEVER known how to win. Hope I'm wrong, but don't think so.

SO SICK OF THIS CRAP... JUST SHUT UP AND WIN!

by greatgymnasticsschool on Aug 1, 2007 3:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Do yourself a favor

and don't EVER go on BruinGold. You will want to take your monitor and throw it out the window, after ripping out your hair and banging your head on the wall. Not only do they go around calling everyone on BN racist, but they act as if they are the only true Bruins when it is painfully obvious from the way some of them write that they never even went to UCLA.

by tasser10 on Aug 2, 2007 7:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why the racist label?

Incompetent headcoach, mediocre program, happens to be black.

5-times arrested, 2-times convincted assistant coach, happens to be black.

Is that the reason?

Most of us here were also vocally anti-Lavin. Last time I check, Lavin was not black.

Could BruinGold explain one away?

by bluegold on Aug 2, 2007 7:30 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Lavin

is exactly the example I gave. But they have to resort to the racist label because they have no other way of defending their position. I will say that there were some apologies for that comment, but it just shows that they have nothing on which to base their support but blind hope. That is not a site for skeptics and anyone with an analytical mind.

by tasser10 on Aug 2, 2007 8:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

These idiots don't realize

that if you bring the racism charge up so frequently, it really cheapens the cases where real racism is involved.

But it is so handy: you don't like something, slap the racism label to it to win the argument. Because who dares speaks against racism.

I repeat: really a CHEAP argument.

by bluegold on Aug 2, 2007 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's not even an argument

It's an excuse. Do yourself a favor and never go on that site. Not only is their english terrible (it is pretty obvious most of them didn't even go to UCLA), but they can't make a logical argument. So they get frustrated and just attack you, and being called a racist is just one of the ways. There's also hater, doomsayer and naysayer. Of course, we're not those things when it comes to Howland. So, by their logic, we must be racist.

There's a post there today about how amazing our backfield is. What? Talk about drinking the kool-aid! They can't even say why they think so. They just have this feeling, no objectivity whatsoever, it's man-crush all the way.

by tasser10 on Aug 2, 2007 11:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't even give the racisim

A return comment. It's too stupid. Win more than 7 games and no one will have a problem. THAT'S THE ONLY PROBLEM.

Although I do want a new monitor, maybe I'll head over here :)!

by greatgymnasticsschool on Aug 2, 2007 8:13 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

2008 expectations

GGS.... If KD wins 8 games, loses big to SC, and loses a bowl game (not BCS), he should be shown the door, birthday rememberances or no. He would have failed in my eyes, and that would include an allowance for injuries as well.
Bill

BillSouthBay

by Mensgym on Aug 2, 2007 8:35 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Even Bobby Bowden

thinks this team can make a run for the NC. There are no more excuses. Anything less than a strong 10-2 season is a failure for me. And that includes a Pac-10 championship OR a BCS bowl.

by tasser10 on Aug 2, 2007 9:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Those two losses . . .

better be to the top two teams of the Pac 10, Assuming it's SC & Cal. No way ND comes into the RB and wins. NOBODY else should come close . . . DAMN IT, since I started this post 35 seconds ago, i'm already pist!!! All these excuses!!!

by TheStick on Aug 2, 2007 7:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

In my opinion

If KD doesn't win 10+ games and the bowl game, they shouldn't let him travel back with the team.

As I've always said, I want UCLA to win a championship, and not just because I've been hoping for it for close to 30 years. I feel it's important when trying to sell yourself as the greatest sports university to have won at the most important sport. (and not absolutely suck at it, BTW). We are a joke at Football on the national level, don't even matter unless we're playing someone who does. So this is my question to Dorrell lovers, "do you think he can ever win a championship?" The answer is always "no" and usually contains something about it being UCLA's problem. I then point out that they are the problem. (although I do agree that academic requirements and playing 25 miles from campus are HUGE obstacles)

I don't think UCLA will have 10+ wins this season. I think 8 will be a miracle. I hope I'm wrong but I haven't been for quite some time except for USC - and it's been discussed how much that had to do with them. The program from a football standpoint is broken at it's core. It's led by a guy (not a black guy, just a guy) who simply can't do the job and uses systems and schemes that flat out do not work. They haven't worked in his entire time as coach and NOTHING IS GOING TO CHANGE THIS YEAR.

IS 8 WINS ENOUGH???? I WANT TO KNOW! I WANT TO KNOW WHAT KD HAS TO DO TO STAY AROUND. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE MORGAN CENTER THINKS ABOUT THE SITUATION IN FOOTBALL. I'M REALLY SICK OF HOW POORLY THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT HANDLES SEEMINGLY EVERYTHING... OH, AND I THINK THE "100 WINS" BANNER LOOKS LIKE A HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR INTERN DESIGNED IT DURING RECESS. Okay, I'm done for now.

by greatgymnasticsschool on Aug 2, 2007 9:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

SERENITY NOW!!!

I put up a diary about what I thought was going on between KD and the Morgan Center. I do think we will be better this year, but I don't know how much better and I don't know if it's enough to be stuck with KD again. We have essentially the same team with an easier schedule. If we do not do better, then it becomes pretty clear what the problem is.

I do know one thing. Well I don't KNOW it but I have a good feeling about it. When KD gets fired, DG will find a very good replacement for him. Just a feeling, but it's my way of being optimistic. If not, I think we'll have KD for 5 more years, at which point either he "gets it", or he's shown the door.

by tasser10 on Aug 3, 2007 7:12 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

KD

for 5 more years?!?

I can't carry this angst for five more years.

It's been said by others, but if UCLA remains mediocre and KD stays in place, my interest in UCLA football will diminish greatly, as will any donations from me to the Athletic Fund.

by Barnes2JJ on Aug 3, 2007 7:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No doubt

I threw up a little bit in my mouth just thinking about it. But if he underachieves this year and still is not fired, it becomes pretty obvious that he will be here for a while...

Someone on another board said "9-3 should be a gimme and a win in the RB or Holiday Bowl would be nice." That's what we're going up against. People who are happy with KD's best team going to the Holiday Bowl. Losers.

by tasser10 on Aug 3, 2007 9:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Totally agree

but, being from and living in SD, I have a soft spot in my heart for the Holiday Bowl. In fact, I'm old enough to recall the great BYU-SMU "M & M" Bowl (Mormon & Methodist) Holiday Bowl about 50 million years ago or so.

Jim McMahon was the QB for BYU and it was one of the greatest comebacks in college football history, IMHO. This was the SMU team prior to the "death penalty" and the team was pretty good and very exciting.

As you probably know, there have been a lot of other great Holiday Bowls over the years and the games almost always are close. I was also fortunate enough to see Barry Sanders play in the game and (I think) score 6 touchdowns. He seemed to score almost every time he touched the ball.

Anyways, just a little trip down memory lane for me. But I completely agree with everything you said. I'm just bored at work and it's fun to reminisce.

by Barnes2JJ on Aug 3, 2007 9:12 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll take the Holiday Bowl

LAST YEAR! I have no problem with us going to that bowl in a good season. The way I see it, UCLA should always go to a bowl game.

by tasser10 on Aug 3, 2007 12:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can agree with one thing there

With this team + schedule (even this coach), 9-3 should be a gimme. The question is whether Dorrell can get the team (or not prevent it) from winning the 1-2 additional games that it reasonably could take.

Though being a bit younger, I have some overall Holiday Bowl memories, and have no problem with the Bruins playing that game. Considering the team's potential this season, I would not call that outcome "nice", but I can think of ways for the season to play out where a respectable season could result in that game.

by bruinhoo on Aug 4, 2007 9:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs