So, Does UCLA have a shot?

[Pariah]

USC vs. UCLA. USC is spotting UCLA 21 points. Seems like a lot considering last year they gave 'em a real game and UCLA is better this year.

Plus they've had a couple weeks to prepare and get healthy.

Russ, our resident Cali expert, whaddya think?

 

[sundevilscott]

I think there is no way that they have a shot. SC can taste it again and will really be ready for UCLA.

 

[Russ Smith]

UCLA has a shot if they get turnovers. USC's defense is NOT that great, but it's much better than UCLA's. The one thing UCLA's defense has done this year is cause turnovers, they have guys like Page and Keyes that will take your head off and cause a fumble. The problem they have is their DL is just way too small, USC will dominate the LOS.

Drew is highly underrated and I think he'll put up some numbers himself, people forget Drew was injured and barely played against USC last year, I just looked it up he had 2 carries for -5 yards. He had a stretch of 3 games last year where he had -6, DNP, -5 when he was hurt and USC was the last game of that stretch. That the game was 29-24 with Drew a non factor tells you UCLA has at least some shot.

But with such a big rivalry you know USC is going to be pumped, and I just have this feeling they're going to pound White between the tackles on UCLA's small DL.

 

[phillycard]

SC defense was a sieve against Fresno. That alone at least should give them some hope. Bush??? Just too much tho.

 

[Pariah]

I actually don't really care who wins the game, I was more hoping UCLA had a shot to come within 20 points. Then, I win.

 

[Russ Smith]

I actually don't really care who wins the game, I was more hoping UCLA had a shot to come within 20 points. Then, I win.

God I hate advising anybody when money is involved but here goes.

UCLA under Dorrell, much like UCLA basketball under Howland, no longer quits. So even if USC gets ahead, UCLA is not going to rollover like they did under Toledo.

The line seems too high to me, if it were me I'd say yeah UCLA isn't going to lose by 20+, but anything can happen especially with the rivalry stuff.

 

[Stout]

Who wins the Pac-10 if UCLA wins? USC, Oregon, and UCLA would all be 7-1 Pac-10. Now, I'm a Penn State Homer, and the way I figure it, if either Texas or USC loses a game and loses their conference, there is NO LEGIT WAY they can go to the title game over Penn State. NO WAY should a team that can't win their conference be able to go to a title game. So, I have a vested interest in this game, yes

 

[Pariah]

Who wins the Pac-10 if UCLA wins? USC, Oregon, and UCLA would all be 7-1 Pac-10.

I think I heard on ESPN Radio that USC hold the tie breakers, and would win the PAC 10 regardless of the outcome of Saturday's game.

 

[Pariah]

God I hate advising anybody when money is involved but here goes.

Don't worry, Russ. I won't hold it against you. Anyway, the money was already on the table.

 

[AZCB34]

IMHO, if UCLA can turn the game into a track meet, they have a chance but if the USC defense slows down the UCLA offence the Bruins are dead meat. Should be a fun game to watch.

 

[AZCB34]

The line seems too high to me, if it were me I'd say yeah UCLA isn't going to lose by 20+, but anything can happen especially with the rivalry stuff.

The strange thing about that line is Vegas doesn't usually make too many spread errors so they must feel the action to be placed on the game warrants such a big spread.

Pariah, I like UCLA and the points as well.

 

[PHXviaDTW]

USC may score eight TDs. Bruins have no chance.

 

[AZCB34]

USC may score eight TDs. Bruins have no chance.

UCLA could score 8 TDs against a very mediocre Trojan D. I believe USC wins but UCLA can win this...especially if they are able to match USC score for score. Hell, Fresno St put up alot of points on USC and IMO, the Bruin offense is much better than Fresno St's offense.

I would still take the points and UCLA

 

[Russ Smith]

UCLA could score 8 TDs against a very mediocre Trojan D. I believe USC wins but UCLA can win this...especially if they are able to match USC score for score. Hell, Fresno St put up alot of points on USC and IMO, the Bruin offense is much better than Fresno St's offense.

I would still take the points and UCLA

I agree UCLA's offense is better than Fresno's. I think Fresno has a better defense though.

UCLA is all about turnovers, when they win it's usually because they force turnovers.

Could be the most boring game in history on punts and kickoffs, I highly doubt USC is going to kick to Drew and ditto for UCLA and Bush.

 

[Stout]

Very interesting...a guest on the Dan Patrick show (can't remember who, but one of the regular contributors, an expert in college football) said that if USC or Texas lose tomorrow, they're out of the title game. Said a close victory at home followed by a loss at home would kill USC's hopes, and not winning the conference and losing after a scare game would kill Texas' hopes. Also said pollsters, who may decide it all (though I thought computers did that?) are looking for a reason to bump Paterno into the Rose Bowl.

I can dig it!

 

[Russ Smith]

Well if USC loses you can expect USC FB Brandon Hancock to get a lot of blame from the media.

"We respect Notre Dame and at the end of the day it's a pretty healthy rivalry. But all bets are off with these pansies," USC BRandon Hancock said of the UCLA game. "We don't want to just beat them. We want to hurt them. We're not going to call the dogs off in the third or fourth quarter. We want to send a message."

Not exactly the comment you want your player making the day before a huge game. Especially a guy with 9 carries for 13 yards on the season.

 

[Russ Smith]

Sorry Pariah, hope you didn't have too much on UCLA/

 

[ajcardfan]

they have a chance but if the USC defense slows down the UCLA offence the Bruins are dead meat.

This is exactly what happened. I think we saw what Pete Carroll can do when he has time to prepare. As bad as USC's defense has been at times, I now expect them to give Texas more of a fight than might be expected by looking at the season stats.