Neu Year's Day Open Thread

by Nestor on Jan 1, 2008 12:04 PM PST in Football

As I write this post, Michigan and Florida are locked in a tight battle in Lloyd Carr's last game (Wolverines have just gone up 21-14), while UVa is kind of pounding on Texas Tech (hmmm?). You can track the scores via ESPN here.

A little later this afternoon Illinois will make its first appearance in 'the Grand Daddy of Them All' since 1984:

Photo Credit/Source: ESPN

Yeap. Coach Neuheisel knows a little something about Illinois and making a statement on New Year's Day.

If you want to catch up on his statements and his first day as the UCLA head football coach go here, here, and here.

Enjoy the day.

Consider this as a special Neu Year's Day Open thread as we are all fired up for Bruin Football in 2008.

Happy Neu Year BN.

GO BRUINS.

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If DW Goes

Ron English for DC? Michigan is playing tough D today.

Did get burned by a fake punt -- very gutty call by Urban Meyer, which led to a touchdown drive.

All these bowls to choose from -- waiting to root for Ill.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Jan 1, 2008 1:03 PM PST reply actions

Ken Norton Jr. for DC at UCLA, DeWayne to UW as DC

Well that's according to Kirk Herbstreit. And he already crapped the bed pretty badly with his Les Miles to UM "scoop".

I want Ken Norton Jr. back in Westwood though. Seriously, a three time Super Bowl winner, former All-Pro AND FORMER BRUIN! Who could have goofed that up? Oh wait ... I know that answer ... I thought Dorrell's fumbling of him was near criminal and Dorrell got (another) free pass on that from the MSM. If you believe Dorrell Norton was an indecisive dilitant who couldn't make up his mind what he wanted to do - so Dorrell didn't offer him a position. So Norton, being heartbroken UCLA doesn't offer him a job begins coaching HIGH SCHOOL. Sound like someone indecisive to you? Pete Carroll, ever the opportunist seized upon this and offered Ken Norton a job immediately. This can all be referenced from a Plaschke column from two years ago in the LATimes.

Hiring Norton, Jr. in any capacity in Westwood would go a long way at rebuilding the bridges that were nuked under Dorrell.

by Seanny Rotten on Jan 1, 2008 5:57 PM PST up reply actions

Unless you heard something I didn't

Herbstreit didn't say Norton was going to UCLA. He said DW was going to Washington and that he thought RN would make a run at Norton and expected Norton to take the job. It was pure speculation and he admitted it as such.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Jan 1, 2008 6:09 PM PST up reply actions

Louisville

I think that English and Ted Roof from Duke are both going to Louisville-but I like the thought

by DallasBruin on Jan 1, 2008 1:37 PM PST reply actions

Today...

WE ARE ALL ILLINI.

by billyknight on Jan 1, 2008 1:52 PM PST reply actions

I've Always Wanted KNJ Back

but not sure he is ready to be a DC.

I was really upset when KD would not let him join -- even as a volunteer coach.

RN has started a "homecoming" celebration. I hope there's a place for KNJ in the festivities.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Jan 1, 2008 2:05 PM PST up reply actions

Whoa! TT Won!

Way to go, Steve! Your guys did it!

by whp68 on Jan 1, 2008 2:39 PM PST up reply actions

Hey Illinois

Karl Dorrell just called. He thinks your playcalling is way too conservative.

by bruinmike88 on Jan 1, 2008 3:26 PM PST up reply actions

RN's Advice to Illinois

Pass on first down.

I can't wait for next year.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Jan 1, 2008 3:34 PM PST up reply actions

In six seconds,

amidst crowd distractions, he delivers a succinct and astute game observation, despite the fact that the "question" (would he give advice to help the Illini) was a joking, throw-away line. Think of what he could do with, say, a quarter or two's worth of time to make adjustments.

I like this guy.

p.s. Pretty thrilling TT comeback. Loved the onsides kick. And, what were they, something like 5 for 5 going for it on fourth down?

by Bruinut on Jan 1, 2008 4:51 PM PST up reply actions

RN know his football

I'm a bit concerned about his recruiting because at Colorado and Washington he had a tendency to recruit too many skill position players and not enough big guys, but the guy knows his X's and O's unlike any coach we've had in quite some time.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Jan 1, 2008 4:54 PM PST up reply actions

I think too many skilled players is another

fallacy.

It's been addressed here, but there was one year at UW where his class on OL being deficient (maybe not any at all), but he made a conscious decision because the following year was loaded at OL.

by Odysseus on Jan 1, 2008 8:50 PM PST up reply actions

I think it'd tough to call it a fallacy

when he admitted it himself. He admitted in an interview I heard on the radio that he got a little too into getting obvious talent at the skill positions and undervalued linemen. He also said his top recruiting coaches were all skill position coaches and that was part of it. He said it's one of those things he's learned from though and will make sure to get a good mix of players and coaches leading recruiting so I believe him, but I won't be 100% convinced until I see it.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Jan 1, 2008 10:52 PM PST up reply actions

Yup

I was thinking the exact same thing, 66. I'm about ready to start the season now :)

by tliggett on Jan 1, 2008 5:39 PM PST up reply actions

June Jones is showing me RN is best

choice for UCLA.

Jones's team is showing no defense and no offense.
Losing 38-3 to Georgia!

by bluegold on Jan 1, 2008 8:48 PM PST reply actions

Kinda makes you wonder..

..Jones is having his head handed to him and Petersen lost his bowl.

Surely, these folks will continue their winning ways; they're too good not to. But don't you wonder if, some time during a private moment, either are (or will) be saying to themselves, "I coulda had the UCLA job."

..especially, after RN has rebuilt the program.

by whp68 on Jan 1, 2008 9:34 PM PST up reply actions