10 Reasons

Every year, I give 10 reasons why the Bruins could beat the Troajans. Here's the 2009 installation!

1. Momentum

The Bruins are 3-0 in their last 3 games. USC is only 1-2. Granted, the level of competition wasn't nearly the same... but momentum can be a big thing.

2. Turnovers

We need 'em. Last week against ASU, UCLA was +6 on turnovers. We'll have to win the turnover battle at the Coliseum to come out with a victory.

3. Getting Defensive

The UCLA defense was dominant last week. The USC defense has been porous. If the Bruin defense comes to play and keeps this one a low scoring contest... then our chances of victory are much improved.

4. We're Wearing our Home Jerseys!

The game might not be at the Rose Bowl, but we'll be in our home blue. UCLA has historically done very well against USC wearing the home jersey. Maybe that streak will continue.

5. The Price is Right

Brian Price demands double teams. Brian Price still gets tackles for loss. Brian Price is sooo going to the NFL next year. But this year... he's wearing blue and gold.

6. Pick-6

Alteraun Verner and Rahim Moore have been interception machines this season. Matt Barkley has also been turnover prone this last month. A defensive touchdown for the Bruins would be a huge boost for this team.

7. The BCS is Bust

The Trojans won't be going to a BCS game this year. That's the first time that has happened in a very long while. They may not have much motivation, as in years past, to come out play. What's the difference between the Sun and Vegas bowls? Not much for the ketchup and mustard...

8. Rusty

Sometimes a bye week can help your team heal and get focused. Other times, it can let your team dwell on a poor performance. USC has been idle since the got whooped soundly by the Cardinal. They might need to shake a little rust off at the start of this game.

9. Play not to Lose

The Bruin offense and the coaching staff did a great job of sitting on a lead and riding that to victory last week. An early start to this contest would go a long way to improving our chances for a win.

10. Play to Win

Kevin Prince has been slinging the ball lately. His new found confidence to let the rock fly has been one of the key reasons this offense has been more productive. UCLA has nothing to lose today and everything to gain... play for the win!

Trojans Should Beat Cal Tonight

let me just preface this by saying I'm pulling for the Bears in tonight 's big showdown with the Trojans. But USC should win this one. Here's why...

The Trojans have an offense that has racked up a lot of yards. They rank #1 in the conference in total offense (which is measured by yards gained). They can move the ball well.

Likewise, when it comes to total defense, they are ranked #2 in the conference. They can stop you from moving the ball.

The problem is they aren't moving the ball when they need to.

Despite being #1 in total offense, the Trojans only are only the 5th ranked team in term of scoring offense. A more shocking number is that USC ranks dead last in the conference in 3rd down conversion percentage.

The other big problem is turnovers. They have a turnover margin of -2 right now. That's good for 8th place in the conference.

They are a team with plenty of horse power, but the engine isn't firing on all cylinders right now.

With Carroll at the helm, it's just a mater of time before SC puts it all together for a game.

I think they do that tonight against a suspect Cal defense.

Opponent Spring Practices

Spring practice wrapped up last week and all our opponents have completed their sessions as well. Here is a look at the news stories coming out of those camps and what our boys might expect to face this fall.

Tennessee

The Vols have spent some time retooling their offense as well this April. Like the Bruins, Tennessee heads into the 2008 season with a new coordinator, three other new offensive assistants, a new scheme, new terminology and a new quarterback. Jonathan Crompton, a red-shirt junior, is the likely starter for the fall. He will be out of action for the next month after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his throwing elbow.

There will be more of an emphasis on the running game this time around and the Volunteers have a good one in Arian Foster. The Vols return all five offensive line starters from last season and they will provide a big front for Foster, who's closing in on Tennessee's all-time rushing record.

BYU

The Cougars return a very potent and experienced offense this season. One area to watch is their offensive line. A big and powerful group last season, they've been dinged by the injury bug this spring. BYU returns a lot of players at the skill positions including QB Max Hall who had good games against UCLA last season. Junior wide receiver Austin Collie had a good spring and he'll challenge the Bruin's inexperienced secondary this fall.

On defense, the Cougars lose standouts Kelly Popinga and Bryan Kehl. Following in their footsteps, junior Matt Bauman has asserted himself as the new leader of the linebacking corps. He had a good spring and the BYU defense is starting to gel despite not returning many players from last year's squad. Their secondary is young and there might be an opportunity for our offense to throw on them this year.


Fresno State

One of the goals of the spring for Fresno State was to add some depth to a team that returns 10 starters on offense. To help fascilitate that, the veterans didn't see a lot of reps during the scrimmage. QB Tom Brandstater only had 5 pass attempts while his backup took most of the snaps behind center. The Bulldogs have a new offensive coordinator his season in Doug Nussmeier and it will be interesting to see if he opens up an FSU offense mainly known for a strong running game. They have a lot of experience along the line, though many of those starters missed time this spring with nagging injuries.

While the offense is mainly set, the defense has some had some holes to fill this spring. The Bulldogs lost Marcus Riley and Trevor Shamblee, two of their best linebackers. In their place, a host of young players are looking to fill those spots. They also have to fill the shoes of Tyler Clutts, one of their best defensive ends. They don't really have any super stars on this side of the ball and they lack a true leader.

Arizona

The Wildcats remind me a lot of our own team. An inconsistent offense. A defense without any big super stars. They're a work in progress that always seems to be rebuilding each and every season and this team is still struggling to learn the air-raid offense installed last season.

One area where the Wildcats will have some experience is at quarterback. Willie Tuitama is back for his third season and he had a decent spring. He threw for 231 yards on 20 completions out of 36 attempts and one touchdown during the spring game. The running game looks decent and their offense could be exciting if it really gets going.

The defensive side is going to struggle this season. They have a lot of new faces and not a lot of a talent. They lose two of the best corners in the league with Antoine Cason and Wilrey Fontenot departing. They do have some guys stepping up in Devin Ross and sophomore Mike Turner; both had good springs. Highly regarded recruit, Robert Golden, is coming in the fall to add some depth in the secondary.

Arizona State

ASU had a break-out season last year, but will they continue with that success in 2008? RB Shaun DeWitty adds some depth to the Sun Devil's running game. Along with Keegan Herring, this team should continue to perform well on the ground. Carpenter was only able to complete 7-of-21 passes for 88 yards in their spring game. They still have a lot of problems with their offensive line and it doesn't look like they've solved those problems yet.

Erickson looks to add more of a spread-element to his offensive strategy. The team practiced with more four and five-receiver sets and tailback screens this spring. ASU might be making a name for itself as a defensive team this season. The defense was impressive throughout spring and dominated the spring game.

USC

Across town, the Trojans are getting ready for another dominating season. They had a battle at quarterback that everyone knew would end in Mark Sanchez getting the starting job. So it was no surprise when he came out of the spring game as the leader. Mitch Mustain and Aaron Corp held their own, though, and the Trojans look loaded at the position for the foreseeable future.

One big piece of news was that Joe McKnight ended up missing the last week of practice because of eligibility problems. Those likely won't translate into him missing time this fall but it did give the other running backs a chance to shine. The leaders at running back for next season would be C.J. Gable, Staffon Johnson, and Allen Bradford.

On defense, junior cornerback Kevin Thomas, who missed the 2007 season because of a shoulder injury, has played well during the spring. He's already worked his way into the Trojans' third cornerback spot and he has the potential to take the job from starters Cary Harris and Shareece Wright.

California

The Bears had a lot of questions to answer this spring. The biggest one is who will be the starting quarterback? Nate Longshore has a lot of experience but he struggled mightily in Cal's downward spiral last season. Kevin Riley had his fair share of struggles as well, but he impressed in their bowl victory over Air Force. Unfortunately, Longshore missed the entire spring because of a pectoral injury. The decision, according to coach Tedford, could come as late as the week before their home opener.

Injures have also set back other skill positions on offense. Running back Javid Best is out with a hip injury. Which hurts because the Bears lost James Montgomery this off season when he transfered to WSU. Wide receiver Jeremy Ross is also sidelined with a sprained ankle. That leaves a lot of inexperienced guys getting playing time this spring and a lot of unresolved questions on the depth chart.

On defense, the Bears have been using a three man front during the spring. Redshirt freshman Bryan Anger has been wowing onlookers with his punting ability. He should help their special teams unit this fall.

Stanford

Like so many teams in the conference, the Cardinal are searching for a starting quarterback for the 2008 season. Tavita Pricthard, who lead them to their huge victory over the Trojans in the Coliseum last season, is the front runner at this point. He struggled, however, in their spring scrimmage where he only completed 12 of 28 passes for 106 yards. That leaves an opening for Alex Loukas and transfer Jason Forcier (Chris Forcier's brother).

Oregon

No team in the PAC-10 lost more offensive weapons this past season than the Ducks. The dynamic duo of Dixon and Stewart won't be wearing their Oregon uniforms this season and that has left the Eugene faithful asking a lot of questions about their backfield. They may of gotten at least one answer in LeGarrette Blout. The Duck's running game got a boost from the big, 235 lb running back. He bulldozed his way to 68 yards on just 5 carries during their spring scrimmage and he's drawing high praise and favorable comparisons to Stewart.

Oregon State

Oregon State struggled on offense last year but their defense kept them in a lot of games. Unfortunately for the Beaver Believers, that sturdy defense front seven won't be back this season. They did have some depth at linebacker and it looks like some young talent, including Keaton Kristick, Bryant Cornell, and Dwight Roberson will be an adequate replacement.

On offense, the Orange and Black get back standout receiver and return-man Sammie Stroughter. He'll be a big boost to a passing attack that had it's ups and downs last season under first-year quarterback Sean Canfield. Also back from injury is guard Jeremy Perry who missed all but one game in 2007 because of a broken leg. The rest of the offense was hit pretty hard by graduation, including the loss of running back Yvenson Bernard. They'll have a lot to work out this fall if they want to stay in the top-half of the conference standings.

Washington

The Huskies were delt a tough blow when they lost their best offensive lineman in center Juan Garcia with a foot injury this spring. A 6th year senior, Garcia was a second-team, all-conference selection last year, starting every game at center for the second consecutive year. Their line will be young and inexperienced, so it makes the loss of a seasoned veteran hurt even more.

After missing on hiring DeWayne Walker away from UCLA, the Huskies hired Ed Donatell, who spent 12 of the previous 13 seasons coaching in the NFL. Their defense will likely be a work in progress this season as their defensive line losses many of their starters. The Huskies are hoping to tap into some of their true freshman who enroll this fall at defensive tackle. That's not a good sign for the Dawgs as freshman rarely make an impact on the line.

Washington State

One of the stars of the Cougar's spring scrimmage was Michael Willis. The converted defensive back has been moved to wide receiver for the 2008 season. Willis pulled down 6 receptions for 129 yards and a touchdown during the game and he could be a another big target along with talented receiver Bradnon Gibson. Of course the Cougs still need to find a quarterback who can throw to these guys. Fifth year senior Gary Rodgers is the heir apparent to Alex Brink but he could be challenged by junior Kevin Lopina, who had a solid spring.

Head coach Paul Wulff is also introducing a new no-huddle spread offense this season. He'll run that offense behind a veteran line that returns four starters but no stars at running back. Things are so thin at tail back that when the spring session ended, WSU only had one healthy player available. Chris Ivory missed part of the spring with injury and he has also struggled to stay academically eligible. Dwight Tardy also watched the rest of the team from the sidelines due to injury.

Wulff and his staff switched to a new 4-3 defense moving standout linebacker Andy Mattingly to defensive end. This squad has struggled with depth and injuries in the past and they still need to find players in their two deep after the spring. WSU' returns three returning senior starters at linebacker including Greg Trent but their secondary has a lot of holes.

(Photo Credit: AP Photo/Wade Payne. Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Winning the War

The game against SC went down pretty much as everyone expected. The UCLA defense played pretty well and our offense was atrocious. The silver lining should come tomorrow or Monday when Dan Guerrero final puts an end to the Karl Dorrell era. While the Trojans may have won this battle, UCLA will hopefully win the war with a new coach.

When the Bruin defense held Booty and the Trojan offense to a 3-and-out on the first series, it looked like UCLA had come to play. Austin picked up the punt around midfield and the Bruins were in position to start their first series in SC terrirority. That was until he fumbled. Another big defense stop a few plays later on 4th down and the Bruin defense was feeling its oats. Then came the Markey fumble. So a big pass and a dive in the end zone later and the Trojan's "first drive" ended in a touchdown thanks to the UCLA offense.

It really was a tale of three teams out there. The UCLA defense, the USC Trojans, and that abysmal lot of players that was also wearing blue-and-gold. It seemed like the UCLA offense was desperately trying to lose that game. Their first 6 series ended in 5 punts and a fumble. They ended up committing 4 turnovers and you're not going to beat too many teams playing like that, but especially a #8th ranked Trojan team in the Coliseum.

Really, USC wasn't all that dominating. The Bruin defense held them to only one touchdown in the entire second half. If UCLA under Karl Dorrell had even a semblance of an offense, it could have been a close game or a Bruin victory. They didn't necessarily need a great offense or even a good one. Just an offense that is suitable for the college game and these players. One that maybe had some elements of misdirection beyond a triple/reverse fake-pass. The two reverses executed ended up being total duds with one getting canceled by illegal motion and the other ending in a poor exchange and a fumble.

The announcement that this era in Bruin football can't come soon enough. The experiment that was Karl Dorrell's reign was summed up in tonight's futility. It's too bad because I really liked Dorrell and wanted him to succeed since he is a former Bruin player. But his time has come and UCLA needs to start closing the gap with the other premier teams in the conference. Tonight was an all to painful reminder that this program still has a long way to go.

(photo credit: AP)

13-9

Since today is the last day I can post this. Here ya go: SCOREBOARD.

Ten Reasons

I posted something similar at Bruin Report Online last year and I figured I should keep the tradition alive. Call it superstition or call it desperation... in either case here are my 10 reasons why UCLA can beat USC this year.

10. The Reggie Bush Curse. Don't believe in curses? You should. Cade McNown cursed UCLA when he tried to run up the score on the Trojans in 1998. The Result was 7 years bad luck for the Bruins. Reggie Bush has laid a similar hex on SC. Hey, they haven't beaten us since Bush left for the NFL!

9. Tricky, Tricky! Jay Norvell and Karl Dorrell have thrown in some trick plays this season. Will we see the play book busted open this game? Let's not forget that UCLA has performed a fake punt every year under Karl... but not yet this season. A reverse to Slater on a kickoff? A pitch back to Olson on a run? How about a Breazell pass... or two??? Who knows what the Bruins have up their sleeves. Certainly the SC defense doesn't.

8. Eight and Seven! This rivalry has been all about streaks lately. The Bruins won 8 in a row and then the Trojans won 7 straight. History tells us it is time for the Bruins to keep their new streak going.

7. Rain Rain, Come and Stay. The weather forecast for this weekend is a 30% chance of showers. Bad weather can slow down otherwise good offenses. It also makes passing difficult. UCLA is pretty tough against the run, so this could play into our favor. Our own offense is already terrible, so rain isn't going to make it any worse.

6. We own your Booty. John David had a tough game last year... and that's putting it mildly. He also didn't play well as a reserve in 2005. Maybe the Bruins are in his head? I'm hoping Bruce Davis is in the ear-hole of his helmet very often this weekend.

5. Been There Done That. USC used to be the unbeatable giant of the PAC-10. That stigma is gone. This Bruin squad already beat this team last season and the air of invincibility isn't there. Expect the Bruins to come and play.

4. Win One for the Gipper. Bruin fans may be virtually unanimous in their calls for a new coach, but the players support him. They haven't quit all season and they might use Karl's job situation as extra motivation to beat SC.

3. Kai Forbath. How did we win the game last year? It was defense and field goals. If it comes down to the same situation this year then UCLA has a virtually automatic kicking machine in Forbath.

2. Matt Slater. He is the X-factor in every game. He basically is the UCLA special teams unit. Not just on kick returns either. He has laid some spectacular hits while covering punts and kicks and recovered a fumble as well. If he can take one to the house then that could really help the UCLA cause.

1. D-fence! D-fence! How did we win the game last year? It was field goals and defense. About the only real strength the Bruins have is their defensive unit. If they rise to the occasion and, maybe more importantly, are fortunate to get some turnovers then they can keep the Bruins in this game. Hopefully Walker has his boys well prepared for battle because UCLA will lean heavy on his squad.

OK, OK... maybe I should call this the 10 reasons why UCLA can keep it close this year. It may be a beat down of epic proportions on Saturday and the odds are definitely not in the Bruin's favor. Then again, we were 15 point dogs last year and look how that turned out. You never know how things will go in a rivalry game. At least that's what I keep telling myself over, and over, and over again.

2007 Preview: USC Trojans

On December 1st, the annual battle for Los Angeles will play out before a sold-out crowd at the Coliseum. The victory bell will be back up for grabs and this game could carry conference and national championship implications as well. It will definitely be a huge game and both teams likely have the date circled on the calendars here at the start of the season.

Any UCLA fan with half a pulse knows that the Bruins knocked off USC last year in one of the biggest upsets in the history of the rivalry. The Trojans didn't play their best game of the season and John David Booty and the SC offense were stifled by an aggresive, blitzing defense. On the other side of the ball, the Trojan line backing corps couldn't contain Patrick Cowan in the first half and his quick scrambling, timely completions, and all around grit was just enough to propel the Bruin to victory.

This year both teams return a lot of experience, with the Trojans bringing back one of the best defenses in the country. Like usual, Pete Carroll has amassed a host of young talent that is unequaled in the conference or in the nation. With the game in unfriendly territory, the Bruins will likely be big underdogs once again this year. Don't expect the Trojans to be caught napping this time around as payback and revenge are on the minds of Pete Carroll and company.

Offense

While USC is everybody's pre-season favorite to make it to New Orleans for the National Championship game, there are some question marks on offense. Steve Sarkistian will be taking over the offensive coordinator spot from Lane Kiffin, but the two worked closely on the play calling last year so the change shouldn't be huge. A true star has not emerged at tailback or receiver, but that issue will likely be resolved come December as well. No matter who steps into those starting position, the Trojans will have one of the best offenses in the conference and the country.

The key cog in the Trojan offense machine this season will be senior quarterback John David Booty. Booty had a great 2006 campaign earning all PAC-10 honors. With his near perfect blend of mobility, arm strength, and experience, he is the odds on favorite to win the Heisman this season . Of course, Booty's worst performance in 2006 came against the Bruins as DeWayne Walker pressured him from every conceivable angle. Reacting to outside pressure was noted as a weakness during the USC training camp this fall, so expect Walker to try and bring as much heat as possible.

The amount of talent that Southern California has at tailback is ridiculous. Going into their training camp they listed 10 players at the tailback position. Those numbers have thinned a bit with transfers and injuries but the Trojans still have a lot of guys looking for playing time. At this point it looks like C.J. Gable and Chauncey Washington are the likely starters. Staffon Johnson is finally out of Pete Carroll's dog house and he impressed this fall. Allen Bradford could also see some minutes and true freshman Joe McKnight is so talented he'll get some carries and some passes as well. Blocking for them will be standout freshman Stanley Havili at full back. The Bruins front seven were very good against the run last year but whoever carries the rock for SC will be difficult to contain.

With the departures of Jarrett and Smith to the NFL, the Trojans lose their two leading receivers from last season. Stepping into the spotlight this season is Patrick Turner who had some big games and tight end Fred Davis. The rest of the receiving corp is undecided at this point and there is bound to be some drop-off at the position. The talent waiting in the wings is impressive and by December they will have almost a full season under their belt as well. There is no doubt that the Bruin secondary will have their hands full again. They did a great job last season slowing down the Trojan passing attack and it will take another inspired effort this time around as well.

The Trojan's otherwise stellar offensive line looked shaky against the Bruin defense last year in Pasadena but they stepped back up in their Rose Bowl win against Michigan. This time around they'll have to absorb the loss of their leader, and all PAC-10 center, Ryan Kalil. This squad does return All-American tackle Sam Baker and starters Chilo Rachal and Drew Radovich. If UCLA is going to win this game then they are going to have to start by winning the battle in the trenches. If Dragovic or Blake can't bring much pressure this season at the end spot then Bruce Davis may see some double teams to slow him down. That could give Harwell and Kevin Brown some opportunities in the middle against Matt Spanos or Nick Howell at center. There is no doubt that this offensive line is very good and they will likely be working well as a unit after 11 games. Not to sound like a broken record but the Bruin front-four are going to have to bring their A-game in this contest.

Defense

While the Trojan offense still has some question marks around a few key positions, there are absolutely no question marks on defense. This is a very scary unit and it will undoubtedly be the most difficult defense Jay Norvell and company face all season long. The Trojans are switching back to a true 4-3 this year and they are absolutely stacked at all three levels of the defense.

UCLA had no answer for Sedrick Ellis last year and they likely won't this year either. Joining him back on the line is All-American candidate Lawrence Jackson at end. Kyle Moore and much-hyped, true-freshman Everson Griffen hold down the other end spot. If the two can stop fighting each other and channel their anger onto opposing tackles, they'll be a very good one-two punch. Chris Markey has managed to gain a total of 78 yards (on 33 carries) against USC over the course of three years. Unless our line really gets a push against this front-four, he may not add much to that number.

The Trojan line backing corp has received so much pre-season hype there is no need to repeat it here. They are fast, strong, aggressive, and a nightmare for opposing offenses. All Three will be competing with each other for the Lombardi award this season. With Ben Olson behind center, UCLA doesn't have the running threat that Pat Cowan brought to last year's contest, so this group can focus more on blitzing and pass rush. It is hard to envision UCLA gaining a lot of yards on the ground with this group backing the line, so Norvell may try and spread out the offense and keep the ball in the air.

Which brings us to the secondary. I think the Bruins have a pretty good safety tandem, but USC's might just be better. Taylor Mays had a fantastic campaign last year and earned some All-American attention as a true freshman. At Strong Safety, Kevin Ellison has been a consistent play maker as well. Senior Terrell Thomas shouldn't be feeling the effects of shoulder surgery this season as is another player looking at post-season conference honors. This group is tall, fast, and athletic, so the Bruins won't get any natural mismatches with their trio of 6'4" receivers. Their secondary also runs a legit 2-deep, so nickle and dime packages will be very good.

Special Teams

The one area where SC has struggled in recent years is on special teams. It won't be any easier this year as the Trojans have to overcome the tragic loss of kicker Mario Dannello. In his place is Junior David Buehler, who only had one attempt last season. Walk-on punter Greg Woidneck will pickup where he left off last season, though he doesn't have the biggest leg in the conference.

It sounds like C.J. Gable is back returning kickoffs and he could be a serious threat with the new kick-off rules. Desmond Reed wasn't nearly as good in punt returns and I'm sure Perez would love to boom another one over Reed's head this season.

The Verdict

It is hard to be too optimistic about this game as a Bruin fan. The Trojans have superior talent and a lot of experience. The game will also be played at the Coliseum where UCLA has lost the last 3 games this decade by an average of 33 points! That's not exactly a recipe for success this December. The Trojans also have the extra motivation of getting revenge for last year's stunning upset. Pete Carroll isn't exactly known for going easy on opponents and I'm sure his team will be pumped and well prepared for the Bruins.

There are a few things that could change by the time the game is played. Injuries are always a factor this late in the season and the Trojans always seem to have more than their fair share. They have a lot of depth all over the team but quarterback could be one position where Southern California could see a big drop-off in production. None of Booty's backups have much experience and with a tough schedule this season, they may not see significant minutes before UCLA comes to visit. Of course, that knife cuts both ways as UCLA has been dealing with its own depth issues in the backfield this pre-season.

Another factor is the development of Ben Olson and the UCLA passing attack. If the light-bulb clicks on for Olson then he absolutely has the raw talent to be a Heisman-worthy quarterback himself. If the offense is capable of taking it to the next level then that could produce enough points for Walker's defense to try and keep the game close. Those are two very big if's and not something I would count on.

When it is all said and done, I don't think the Bruins have enough firepower to pull out a win in this game. This Trojan defense is impressive and it will be very, very hard to score on them. Walker's defensive ain't too shabby either so it could be another low scoring affair. I think it will be much closer than prior years, but ultimately this contest will go to the bad guys. Then again, UCLA was a big underdog last year and we all know what happened. Here's hoping I'm wrong and the Bruins make it two-in-a-row... I'm not going to bet the house on it.

CalPoly's predicition: UCLA defeat. Record: 9-3 (6-3).

(photo credit: Getty Images)