CaliforniaRaisin

What!?

I guess. That should be the matchup. If Ohio State were to be left out, it sounds like Iowa would most likely fall to the Music City Bowl with Minnesota going to Detroit. These teams look quite similar. But there are several factors that are going to get UCLA favored by a significant margin. 1) Our offense hasn't really done much since October 22nd. They did nothing against Michigan, Iowa (minus the last three minutes), or Ohio State. And the 38 they put up on Illinois is nothing to write home about. 2) The defense depends on turnovers but Olson isn't the guy who's going to give up many. 3) Special teams. UCLA's return game is good. Northwestern's return coverage doesn't...tackle...at all. If we have to punt more than 4 times, it's not going to be pretty, especially since neither punter is any good in terms of yardage, hangtime, and kicking towards the sideline. Also, expect pooch kicks like USC did. We've done that a couple of games already and the results have been pretty meh. Some good kicks, some bad ones. Either way, UCLA will likely get good field position all game long. With that said, it could be a really good game. I'm not sure if UCLA is getting any defensive starters back, but Heinz will play his first game of the year in the secondary for Northwestern. Hopefully he'll boost the unit up from to . And OC Mike Dunbar, who could be making me swear for the last time if he accepts a position elsewhere for next season, absolutely has to run the ball. The running game needs to set up the passing game, unlike what's been done the past 4 or 5 games. CBS is going to really be able to market a Basanez/Olson matchup. Given the reaction of the players after the game yesterday, I actually expect UCLA's offense to come out really strong. Justin London will probably be healthy for the game, rather than limp around for 1/3 of the game. Even with a healthy London, I expect Sutton to get 200 yards easily.

Thanks to everyone for the updates.

Favre thew up a perfect pass to Charles Tillman who returned it 95 yards, and then Robbie Gould hit a field goal right away because there was 6 secs. left. Wow, how come Tillman couldn't go all the way?

I don't know, it's pretty risky with Orton not playing well. I'd rather just take the easy 3 and go into halftime with a lead. It's not all Orton, though. his recievers haven't helped him. Take one safe fade pattern, if it doesn't work, kick the 3. Ok, how many drops do the receivers have?

I agree with taking a shot, but Lovie=Dusty? That may be a bit harsh... Haha, agreed.

What happened??

Recover from yesterday's game yet Raisin? Meh. I'm just glad we got it into double digits.

Is it still 7-3 GB? EDIT: The ticker now says 7-6.

Your Sun Bowl looks about right, Derwood. Bring it on, Jon?

By the way, why did Dan Fouts spend 5 minutes talking about Harry Potter during the USC-UCLA game (this when the game was actually close)?

Someone hasn't watched Pom Pom Pete coach before. That certainly was embarassing. If Bob Toledo's struggles against USC were enough to get him fired, why can't Karl Dorrell's struggles against USC be enough to get him fired? :(

Is Colorado really this bad of a team? I haven't seen them play this year, but this is a debacle. From the Colorado fans I've heard talk, they are that bad. Texas is definitely in a different class then Colorado athletically. I'd pick Texas over USC right now.

Overheard on the news yesterday: Both USC and UCLA students have one similarity: they were both accepted into USC. :D On that note, I'm off to my friend's place to watch the game. Go Bruins!!! Hopefully the refs don't screw us over this year too.

What's your problem with their NBA coverage? I for one like that they show exclusively games involving Miami, San Antonio, Phoenix, Detroit, Denver, or the LA Lakers. :wink: They can show all the Lakers highlights they want, I love watching the Lakers when they suck.

No worries, guys. We still have Neifi.

Come on, man....I'm eating here. Apparently you eat many meals.

LenDale White, who was carted off a USC practice field on Sunday with a shoulder injury was cleared to play against UCLA (with a bruised shoulder). UCLA's center, Mike McCloskey and best run-stopping LB Justin London - both of whom had missed both Arizona games - have returned from injury and will play against USC.

Sorry, that was the old Pete Gammons statement for what the future Cubs IF would be.

I agree, there's no reason ND should decline their invite. They've had a great season and it's not like they aren't deserving. Even if they did decline, it wouldn't help bring change.

Not Goony, but I'll answer the last part: in terms of the SL and PCL, AA is harder for a hitter. The PCL is littered with hitter's parks at higher elevations. But the pitchers are smarter at AAA too - they know how to change speeds and locations better than their AA counterparts - so it's still a good test.

Kelton? You surely mean Texeira.

Stolen from another message board: REX GROSSMAN Rex game #1 3- 3 and outs 5- punts 1- drive over 50 yards Rex game #2 2- 3 and outs 2- punts 6- drives over 50 yards Rex game #3 Rex out early Rex game #4 5- 3 and outs 7- punts 2- drives over 50yards Rex game #5 2- 3 and outs 4- punts 3- drives over 50 yards Rex game #6 2- 3 and outs 2- punts 4- drives over 50yards KYLE ORTON Orton game #1 3- 3 and outs 7- punts 0- drives over 50 yards Orton game #2 1- 3 and outs 4- punts 1- drive over 50yards Orton game #3 5- 3 and outs 6- punts 1- drive over 50yards Orton game #4 3- 3 and outs 4- punts 1- drive over 50 yards Orton game #5 3- 3 and outs 5- punts 1- drive over 50 yards Orton game #6 5- 3 and outs 7- punts 3- drives over 50 yards Orton game #7 6- 3 and outs 6- Punts 2- Drives over 50 yards Orton game #8 6- 3 and outs 6- Punts 4- Drives over 50 yards Orton game #9 3- 3 and outs 4- Punts 3- Drives over 50 yards Orton game #10 4- 3 and outs 7- Punts 1- Drives over 50 yards REX GROSSMAN 14- 3 and outs 20- punts 16- drives over 50 yards KYLE ORTON Games #1-#5 15- 3 and outs 26- punts 4- drives over 50 yards KYLE ORTON GAMES #6-#10 24- 3 and outs 30- punts 13- drives over 50 yards REX GROSSMAN AVERAGE PER GAME 2.8- 3 and outs 4- punts 3.2- drives over 50 yards KYLE ORTON AVERAGE PER GAME 3.9- 3 and outs 5.4- punts 1.7- drives over 50 yards Keep in mind, Grossman had Shoop and Shea as his coordinators and he didn't have the weapons that Orton does this year.

If USC loses, it seems more than like UCLA is headed to the Holiday Bowl and not a BCS game. Seems like a hefty price for being blown out by Arizona.

The pitchers in the minors have worse control, which should make taking more pitches easier. Hopefully the eye has improved once you graduate to the big leagues.