Utah'ar Fans Calling Out UCLA

by Menelaus on Jun 22, 2006 9:14 AM PDT in Football Comment 10 comments

We're being called out by Utah? Utah??? Argh.

Okay, I'll admit that I can't think of the great state of Utah without thinking of either this:

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via ABC

Or this:

via HBO

So, I may be the wrong guy to be commenting on this. Something about glass houses, or rocks, I'm told.

But, you may have noticed a newcomer to the SB Nation over at Block U, who I am pleased to welcome to the blogosphere. And while some Utah fans may be conceding a loss to UCLA, others are more optimistic.

According to JazzyUte's game preview, UCLA isn't all that impressive.

Today we're going to preview the team that's been living in the shadow of college football's giant, USC.

If there's a forgettable team in the nation, it's UCLA. Forgettable because they often go unnoticed as one of the most storied programs in college football history. Forgettable because for the past few years they've been good, but never good enough to dominate their way outside of USC's shadow.

Last season UCLA sweated its way to an 8-0 start. And when I say sweated, I truly mean it because that's exactly what they did. The Bruins won 5 conference games by 10 points or less, squeaking out wins against the likes of Washington and Washington State (a combined record of 6-16) and got blindsided by an Arizona team that finished with only 3 wins last year.

To say UCLA's 10 win season was fairly hollowed is probably an understatement. The season wrapped up with an embarrassing loss to rival USC and a tough fought win against a mediocre Northwestern team in the Sun Bowl. This season the Bruins will look to capitalize on their 10 win season, but it won't be easy, as the Bruins lose a lot of key players from last year.

And he's not impressed by our coach either, and seems to think that Utah will take us to the woodshed this year:

Karl Dorrell has yet to prove he's a capable coach that has the ability to sustain success and is worthy of praise. Last season UCLA played fairly well, though there were some troubling signs. This year, without the benefit of Drew Olson's arm and Marcedes Lewis' abilities, the Bruins might have a harder time winning those close games, especially if they turn into shootouts.

... With all that UCLA loses and the fact that their defense could still struggle, there is no reason the Utes can't beat the Bruins to start the season.

Unfortunately, Jazzy's comments about UCLA's season last year aren't that far off base. UCLA has been dominated by USC recently, did sweat through too many games last year, and the Bruin's 10 wins in 2005 were less impressive than the number makes them sound. It's also, sadly, true that Dorrell hasn't yet proven himself capable coach that has the ability to sustain success.

So, I guess I can't shoot the messenger. But it troubles me to no end that fans of a school like Utah, I mean, come on, Utah, can somewhat accurately say this kind of stuff about UCLA. And even though I've been pretty impressed by the job Kyle Whittingham has been doing over there since taking the reigns last year, it doesn't make it much better. But, it doesn't stop there. Apparently, Block U has bigger issues with the Pac-10 generally.

In my preview of UCLA, I stated that the Utes had a great shot at knocking off the Bruins. If Utah can run their winning streak to 5 games, the Utes, since 2001, will have knocked off the best the Pac-10 has to offer. How many programs, BCS or not, can say that? In fact, the Utes have more wins (1) than UCLA does against Pete Carroll and his Trojans, ouch!

I like the Pacific Ten but can't deny that a part of me has a growing hatred toward their elitism and greediness.... The problem with the Pacific Ten is that their ego holds the better good of the conference hostage. The fact is, outside of the western United States, it's believed the Pacific Ten is a lower-tiered BCS conference with one really good team (USC). Not that it's true, but perception often dictates prestige, just ask Oregon and Cal, both of whom were left out in the cold by the BCS system in favor of other elite teams.

Again, I hate to listen to someone from a school like Utah crowing about a victory against USC more recent than one of our own, but I guess that's what happens when your team hasn't gotten it done against it's biggest rival for seven years running. That said, I think the Utes have some bigger fish to fry. I won't say inferiority complex. But, dang, there I went again.

Anyway, I'll leave the full UCLA/Utah game preview for another day. Suffice it to say, I think UCLA has more than enough tools to take care of a dangerous Utah'ar, uhm, Utah team. Game on.

GO BRUINS.

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Nicely done M

if we lose this game, this will be Dorrell's CSUN moment.

a loss in this season will make rest of the season a long death march to resignation or firing.

there is no reason why UCLA should not be the starting the season 5-0 this year.

I am not stressed about this game to say the least.

by Nestor on Jun 22, 2006 9:49 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Right on point

It would be most discouraging to not be 5-0 to start the year with the schedule we have.

Of course I expect us to go undefeated every year because that's the optimist in me.

by artybruin on Jun 22, 2006 10:15 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Cannot take a state seriously ...

which bans South Park off its airwaves (at least that's what I heard).

by bluestreet on Jun 22, 2006 11:32 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Hm, not heard that one before.

Sorry, but South Park is not only seen on Comedy Central here in Utah, it's syndicated by a local station on basic television.

http://www.utahs24tv.com/programming/shows/south_park.html

Nice try, though. ;)

by JazzyUte on Jun 22, 2006 2:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

in that case

my friend was clearly smoking dope.

by bluestreet on Jun 22, 2006 2:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

however

my friend also told me Utah blacks out Saturday Night Live. And I am checking KSL's schedule (Utah NBC affliate) and I don't see SNL in their grid. Is SNL blocked out in Utah? or am I missing something in that grid (this is not a flame - genuinely curious)

by bluestreet on Jun 22, 2006 2:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

KSL is weird.

KSL is owned by the LDS Church and decides to run their sports program (a talk sports show) after the nightly news. So instead of playing on KSL, SNL airs on another station.

Originally SNL had aired on KUTV, which was the local NBC affiliate until KSL and KUTV switched in the 90s.

Also, ignore this comment posted below, accidently replied under the original thread.

by JazzyUte on Jun 22, 2006 2:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

guess that why he was confused

when he moved out there he was looking for programs on the usual channels? That's why he thought he couldn't get SNL on South Park in Utah?

Are other Comedy Central shows (i.e. Daily News, Colbert Report) available in Utah or I should ask if Comedy Central available via the basic cable packages in Utah?

Oh and now that we are at it ... are there bars in Salt Lake City? :)

by bluestreet on Jun 22, 2006 2:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's not that different here, I swear!

Comedy Central is on basic cable here in SLC and we do have bars. You'll find that it really isn't that much different than most other western cities.

by JazzyUte on Jun 23, 2006 1:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No Offense

But the day I listen to somebody from the University of Utah try to take UCLA to the mat is the day I, well, there were a few Mormon jokes coming. Cooler heads prevailed. Go enjoy some caffeine free diet 7up and crackers.

Go Bruins...F@#$% SC... UCLA Fight Fight Fight!

by HomeBruin on Jun 22, 2006 7:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs