Michael Snaer

While we collapse, a kid from So-Cal ends Duke's 45 game home winning streak....

Rankings as of today...

ESPN 2012 Football Recruiting Rankings UCLA: #24

A Realistic Perspective

Like all alumni and fans, I'm excited —thrilled, actually — with the announcement that Ellis McCarthy is coming to UCLA. And I'm just as excited by some of the other recruits, as well as those on the horizon. But as many front-pagers have said repeatedly, recruiting is just one part of the formula for success. And while Mora has made all the right moves so far, we need to temper our enthusiasm with the knowledge that Neuheisel was a great recruiter, too. So, at least for me, I'm waiting to see whether Mora plays the most talented athletes or follows the path of Neuheisel, who seemed to give undue weight to experience. A case in point is Datone Jones. Based on his play last year, he shouldn't start. He may be 100 percent better this year, of course. But I'm waiting to see how Mora decides on the starters, along with whom he picks as his defensive coordinator. Go Bruins.

Please, Not Mike Nolan

For what it's worth, my view is that Jim Mora is heading in the right direction, at least so far. However, the suggestion that Mike Nolan may be under consideration as defensive coordinator appalled me. I've been a 49er fan for decades, and I saw the results of Nolan's leadership. In my opinion, Mora could not make a more unenlightened choice than Mike Nolan. If Nolan's name gains prominence, I'm ready to start an "anybody but Nolan" movement. Go Bruins.

No More Chianti Dan -- Let's Be Respectful

Since we know that a certain Vice Chancellor took great umbrage at what she perceived to be disrespect for our AD, and since we want to maintain our credibility, I think we should pull back on the Chianti Dan label and use the one that Dan chose for himself: From now on, I propose that he be known as -- "Strap On" Dan." Let's honor his choice of nickname.

Stanford and now Harvard better than UCLA

I think it's worth noting that Harvard Basketball was ranked nationally by a major poll for the first time in its history on Dec 5 (as I am also a Harvard grad, I think this is great). But hell has not frozen over, although one would not be crazy for thinking so, since UCLA Basketball has fallen off the basketball map at the same time. So, let's recap. Stanford Football is playing for national championships while UCLA Football has been dead for a decade, and Harvard Basketball is nationally ranked while UCLA Basketball, the greatest tradition of excellence in all college sports arguably, is dying. I wanted to note the developments of both Stanford and Harvard major revenue sports teams for the record as I'm tired of hearing about academics being a problem for UCLA. These 2 shameful facts should put that fallacy and pathetic excuse for mediocrity to bed once and for all. Are you paying attention Dan Guerrero? (rhetorical question - we all know the answer, even Dan)

"Home" games on front page schedule

New UCLA Athletics Website Homepage

Equally Better

I do believe that John Smoltz has a bit of Yogi Berra in him. As commentator for tonight's Tigers-Yankees game 5, he was talking up the Tigers bullpen. Then, he said, "But for the Yankees, their bullpen is equally better." As with all good Yogi-isms, you have to pause in order to decide whether the comment is absurd or profound. Qualifying "better" with "equally" twists my mind. Well done, John.

[Updated] No Pac-12 Expansion For The Present

At 8:10 p.m. PDT, Andy Katz of ESPN reported that there will be no expansion of the PAC-12. He named no sources, so the official word has not yet come from Larry Scott or the conference AD's or Presidents. Burnt Orange Nation is quoting Scott who confirms the ESPN report. Stay tuned.