2008 Preview: BYU

I don't have time for a full blown write-up this week, but thought I would put in my two cents for this game up in Provo.

I think our offensive line is in for a tough day against the BYU front seven. Tenneessee didn't hardly blitz during our game. It's a lot easier for 6 guys to block 4 guys than it is to pick up linebackers and defensive backs flying in from different angles. Even with that advantage, we had no running game against the Volunteers. I can see BYU trying to put a lot more pressure on Craft this game; I know I would.

Our run defense wasn't that good against a solid UT O-line and Foster carying the ball. BYU might not be as good, but their O-line is big and they're running back is a big dude as well. They could really wear down our defense over the course of four quarters. Max Hall, the Cougar quarterback, is a much, much better passer than Crompton. Our young secondary will get burned a few times. Heck, our senior-laden secondary got burned by him last season at the Rose Bowl.

With Bronco Mendenhall calling the shots, you know this team will be much better coached than Tenneesee. They're a tough, physical team and it will be a real test for UCLA. I think it will be a close game but home field advantage gives this one to the Cougs.

My prediction: UCLA 20, BYU 24.

Love On for the Jonas Brothers

Got to love this. During USC's weekly coaches conference call with the media a prankster got through. The guy said his name was Steve Marsh from College Blog. He asked Carroll: "Would you ever reward your players with sex with Britney Spears or the Jonas Brothers?"

Awesome.

Of course, the coaches response: "Boys will be boys".

OK, I made up that last part, but you got to love the moxy of some guy to bring that kind of smack. Love on!

The Haves and the Have Nots

There is definitely a rift developing in the PAC-10 between the good programs and those that are going to take a drubbing this season. You can squarely put Oregon State and Washington State in that arse beating category. The Beavers lost by 31 in an inept performance against Penn State. That doosie was only to be topped by the Cougars who got buried by 63 points at the hands of the Bears.

Man. We better not lose to either one of these teams. That would really, really suck.

Block that Kick

Wow, BYU is making a living off of blocked kicks. Just like they did in the footnote bowl last year against UCLA, the Cougars blocked a kick against the Huskies and won in dramatic fashion. That is probably a good thing for us, as we get a ranked BYU team next week. It stinks for Washington though, as that game really should have gone into OT. Excessive celebration for throwing a ball over your shoulder? Lame-0.

Hitler Reacts to the Tenneessee Loss

Giving Credit

One thing I wanted to note. There has been a lot written about the game, but one guy who hasn't gotten any accolades is Michael Norris. In a night with a lot of crucial plays, Norris made some big ones but you may have not even noticed. From my excellent vantage point up in the noise bleed seats at the Rose Bowl... I took notice.

Michael Norris made at least two touchdown saving tackles on Monday. One was on a blown coverage by the outside linebacker (not sure who it was) but Norris was left out there with no help to contain Foster has he rolled out with the ball. He fought past the much larger wide receiver and managed to corral Foster out of bounds.

Another big tackle came on a kick off where the return man broke left as the entire mass of players when right. Except for Norris, who held his position and tracked down the ball carrier. Add to that six total tackles and a downed punt inside in the 10-yard line and Michael Norris had one heck of a night. For a guy who's taken his fair share of criticism over the years, it was good to see him have a solid night as a starter.

Last Monday night was full of stories like this one. Guys stepped up and took starting roles for the first time and they played as a team. They were outmatched at every position but, as a whole, this team played better because everyone did their part. Some of them didn't make the hight light reel. But their impact was definitely felt... and much appreciated.

Rick, Rick, Rick!

At the end of the game against Tenneesee, Rick Neuheisel got up and addressed the crowd. We were exhausted, excited, and still recovering from near heart failure. I was 100% convined, about a half dozen times, that we were going win that game only to have another half dozen moments where I was positive we would lose. Neuhiesel wrapped up one of the most eciting games I've ever witnessed with a great speach. Another cerished memory I'll keep for a very, very long time.

It is GREAT to be a Bruin!

Ranked ?!?!

Wow, we're ranked . The AP poll has us at #23 and we just missed on the coaches at #26. Amazing... and a bit crazy. There is no way we deserve that mark at this point in the season. I also like playing as the under dog in these games. Oh well.

Starting off the Season Right

What a great day at the Arroyo Seco. The sun was out, the fans were excited, and football was in the air. There is no better feeling than walking into the Rose Bowl for the start of another season.Like most of the Bruin faithful, I wasn't expecting much. I was just hoping we could keep it close.

The First Bruin Walk of the 2008 Season.

We rolled into lot H a few hours before the game. Just in time to catch the 2008 edition of the Bruins come walking down through the crowd. That's such an awesome tradition. A couple things of note. Ben Olson was walking along with the team, without any noticable limp. I was kind of shocked, actually, I thought he would have been hobled still. Another thing is that Pat Cowan is the man. He was way behind everyone else, limping heavily in his brace, but he still greated all the fans.

Pat Greats the Crowd

They kicked of the festivities with some sky divers descending into the Rose Bowl. That's something I had never seen before. It reminded me of that story from Saturday where the sky divers for the North Carolina game accidently landed at the Duke sadium. I was half expecting those guys to land at the Coliseum.

Look Out Below!

As the game progressed the Rose Bowl started filling up with blue shirts! Not the usual mismatch of greys, greens, blues, and every other color under the sun. No there was a noticable blue tint to the vast majority of the fans. Of course, there was a good sized Tennesse orange in the visitor section and springled around the bowl. But it was a very strong UCLA crowd last night that was loud and enthusiastic. It was very cool. Even the student section had decent turn out.

Sea of Blue. Trust Me. It was Blue.

Two Words

Hell.

Yes.


Its late and I just got back from the Rose Bowl, but I'll have a lost more thoughts and some video from the game. Couldn't have asked for a better start to the Neuheisel era. What a game. Hell Yes!!