So mathematically Karl Dorrell is still not eliminated from meeting the minimum expectations we set for him before this season.
However in order for Dorrell to pull this off he needs a win tomorrow. Check that we need a win tomorrow. Then instead of celebrating that win and forgive him for all the underachievements of last three seasons, we need to keep in mind he won't be off the hook until he meets the minimum expectations for this season. In other words just winning against the Irish will not do. Beating the Irish will not matter much if this team promptly chokes by losing to Washington State or Oregon State at the Rose Bowl or lose to a pathetic Arizona State squad in Tempe.
With that in mind why is there such a lack of confidence in Karl Dorrell going into tomorrow?
It's because we see Dorrell making comments like this on why his team was embarrassed up in Eugene:
Walker and the Bruins have the ability to take away things from Quinn, who is 30 yards shy of becoming the 32nd Division I player to pass for 10,000 yards in a career, and the Fighting Irish, who have scored at least 31 points in their past three games.
Defensive ends Justin Hickman and Bruce Davis, who have combined for 12 sacks, will be working at times against freshman right tackle in Sam Young (6-8, 305 pounds).
The Notre Dame line is not overly imposing, with two starters less than 300 pounds, and the Fighting Irish have gained only 3.3 yards per rushing play.
But the pieces, on both sides of the football, will be in motion.
"It's a clash of minds this week," cornerback Rodney Van said. "Charlie Weis, he's an excellent offensive coordinator and he's going to come out with sets, formations and things that are going to trick us around.
"But we here, we all believe in DeWayne. Anything he tells us to be in scheme-wise, we're going to be in. We trust him. And whatever he calls, we can get the job done."
But where is Karl? Well he is the offensive genius behind the Bruins' vaunted WCO, which has been sputtering the whole season, an then crashed and burned against Oregon's mediocre defense. So this is what Karl is doing get the offense ready:
And that was in line with UCLA's passing game all season. The Bruins enter Saturday's nonleague game at No. 10 Notre Dame averaging a Pacific 10-low 9.8 yards per completion.
"We've loosened up our throwing game a little bit (in practice), so you're starting to see some things come alive," UCLA coach Karl Dorrell said. "This might be the week."
I wonder by coming "alive" he means that our offense will be in a constant attack mode, for i.e. take a direct shot in the end zone right off a defense getting a turnover deep in the Irish territory.
I wonder by coming "alive" he means that Pat Cowan is going to throw deep every once in a while, perhaps completing passes more than 25 yards.
I wonder by coming "alive" he means that we will see playmakers like Gavin Ketchum getting time, and making inspire players, instead of having to see Bill Plaschke's favorite walkon coming up short in coming up with another crucial catch.
I wonder by coming "alive" he means that we are going to see well coached, crisp offensive outing which is not shooting itself in the foot by making stupid false starts and taking stupid personal penalties?
Well I tell you what we are all going to root for the Bruins to "come alive." And then in addition to coming alive as I mentioned above we are not only looking for a victory (all the pathetic losers who will be happy with just a moral victory can find another blog or website to celebrate), we will be looking for that inspiring "coming alive" performance to continue for rest of season propelling us to 9 wins and a victory over Southern Cal.
Putting aside all the emotion and anger about the Oregon game (or last seven years), if Karl Dorrell can lead this team to wins in 4 out of next 6 games, end the season with a victory over Southern Cal, and then win a bowl game, then he can still claim credit for a successful season, and set himself up for a banner year in 2007.
So please come alive Karl.
We are all waiting.
GO BRUINS.