UCLA/USC pregame and postgame thread
What a big Saturday of college football for our local heavyweights. Given the magnitude of the SC-Ohio State game, we'll lead with the those "other" guys, but that's as impartial as I get. When you grow up in this town, you're either an SC or UCLA fan, that's it. Don't give me that, "I like USC in football and UCLA in basketball." No, It doesn't work that way, not for real fans. It's UCLA and anyone who plays 'SC, and should be ditto for those ugly cardinal and gold fans. Don't tell me I'm supposed to rooting for 'SC because it's a Pac-10 game either, it's still 'SC. But lets be honest, this is SC's town, they deserve top billing and anyone thinking Ohio State's going to beat the Trojans at the Coliseum is crazy. I'm taking the Trojans by 14. The UCLA-BYU game scares me. I felt better about playing Tennessee at home, but hopefully they learned their lesson last year in Utah. Take the Bruins by three.

Photo: Courtesy of ESPN
Rivalry between USC and Ohio State goes way back, writes Doug Krikorian
It's the Trojans' biggest game of the season, writes Steve Dilbeck




Comments
OK, SO NOW AN IDIOT FROM THE MAVERICKS TAKES A SHOT AT AMERICA. HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT JOSH HOWARD? I SUPPOSE SOME OF YOU PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT'S HEALTHY FOR OUR COUNTRY... SHAMEFUL!
Posted by: offended | September 18, 2008 5:40 PM
Jimmy, HA ha ha!
That was classic, and BTW, that's coming from a UCLA Alum...
Posted by: jcaz | September 17, 2008 4:03 PM
Didnt QB Speed Gonzales go to USC waving that Mexican flag..AY MI HUEVOS!
Posted by: Panocha in the house | September 17, 2008 12:59 PM
Wasn't Aikman a UCLA transfer? Didn't he initially attend the option-oriented Oklahoma?
Posted by: New York | September 17, 2008 6:34 AM
My question was geared my toward the current era. Besides, I specifically mentioned COLLEGE. How did Aikman's performance in college compare to Leinart's? When Aikman was around, was the SGV more similar to North Orange County than it is the current SGV...more kids going out for football, more emphasis on football, etc.
Posted by: New York | September 17, 2008 6:33 AM
He was born in West Covina, idiot!! Check his bio. He's better than anything USC has produced at the position. First QB to win three Super Bowls in four years, only recently matched by that man Brady!
Posted by: Aikman Rules | September 17, 2008 12:11 AM
TROY AIKMAN
Started his first varsity game as a 14 year-old sophomore. His team was the Henryetta High School Fighting Hens. He won that game and they ended the season 4-6.
His junior year they went to state playoffs although only winning two games. Their slogan was, "Two and eight and going to state."
Not WEST COVINA IDIOT !!
Grew up in Cerritos !!!
Must be a Bruin FAN
Posted by: Jimmy The Greek | September 16, 2008 10:55 PM
Aikman was ONE of the best , the others metioned were GREAT college players but have YET to do anything in the NFL.
Aikman a SGV QB ???
Fight On
TM
Posted by: Trojan Man | September 16, 2008 10:50 PM
No, the best quarterback came from right here in West Covina - Troy Aikman, who accomplished more by himself than Palmer, Leinart and Sanchez combined.
Posted by: Aikman Rules | September 16, 2008 9:57 PM
Que Viva La Raza, Ceasar Chavez and all that other crap. Leave that crap for the soccer fans in Hunting ton Park. This is a football blog.
Posted by: AYE CARAMBA! | September 16, 2008 4:20 PM
BEING OFFENDED BY PEOPLE WHO APPARENTLY HOLD ALLEGIANCE TO A COUNTRY OTHER THAN THE ONE THEY LIVE IN IS PUSHING PEOPLE'S BUTTONS?
Posted by: offended | September 16, 2008 3:28 PM
So do the best college Quarterbacks in the country come from Orange County? Carson Palmer (Rancho Santa Margarita), Matt Leinart (Mater Dei), Mark Sanchez (Mission Viejo), Sanchez' backup from Orange Lutheran...OR, has USC just been doing a great job of grooming these guys?
Posted by: New York | September 16, 2008 5:54 AM
Wow, "Drive-by" must have just gotten a wild hair up his anal cavity, because he just went ape, sh...it. Ouch !
Jezz, is this the same guy who is always on this blog asking about my personal history ? How many degree's and, what was it ? Oh ya, how many top 10 colleges or something like that...ha ha ha
You know, I once asked him if he was writing a book about my life, but, I never got any royalties back from any of the sales so far. Wonder why ?
Well, at least we do agree on something here and that is that the other guy is a bigger "anal cavity" than drive-by is....or is he ???
Posted by: jcaz | September 16, 2008 2:09 AM
"Silly piece of cloth"...It's OFFICIAL JCAZ...you're an idiot!
And how many generations did it take to make you this stupid? How many kids do you have in TOP TEN colleges in this country? How many degrees are in "you"r family tree?
Yet you spit on the "flag" of others because you're a SHEEP!
This moron brings up a stupid comment as being legit "offended" and the rest of you morons turn this into a political debate. I hate this ahole but I got to give it to him....he knows how to push people's buttons.
JCaz...you're still an idiot!
Posted by: Follow the Drive by Leader | September 16, 2008 1:34 AM
This is a FOOTBALL BLOG
NOT POLITICAL SCIENCE
Posted by: Cheech Marin | September 15, 2008 10:03 PM
Too much freedom is a dangerous thing...wow, did he really say that?
Look, I for one can tell you that I am perhaps allot more pro-American than even this guy here, but to tell you the truth, when someone says something like that, then I really take offense to it.
Remember, when we speak of Americans, we are generally using a definition where most people would agree to as, maybe, those folks who were raised and born here, as opposed to the opposite right ?
I know that’s really taking allot of liberties with the definition, but in general terms, perhaps that is close enough for this discussion.
However, we always seem to forget that the true Americans of this land are those who are the indigenous native people of North America.
They, and they alone can truly claim to be Americans here.
Not the white folk or even the black folk whose ancestors were brought into this hemisphere against their collective will.
With that in mind, if you look closely at what we today, call the "Mexican people," we can see that most (but not all of course) of these folks are brown in skin color.
That’s because they are direct descendants of the native, people who were here long before the arrival of the Europeans and Africans.
So when we get into arguments about who has the right to live in this land, I often chuckle a little bit to myself because what you have essentially is an argument between immigrant groups.
Those immigrants who came to the United States in boats and in chains, vs. those immigrants who were already here in the North American continent, and who later settled in various parts of this wonderful country of ours.
So when someone waives a foreign flag, ok I have no problem with that, you have a right to do so, but if you raise you're flag in anger towards me and my country, then I will be the first one to step on you're throat and tie that silly piece of cloth around you're neck.
Posted by: jcaz | September 15, 2008 7:54 PM
EXACTLY REDRYDER... AND BY VIRTUE OF THE FACT THAT IT'S A MEXICAN FLAG MAKES IT INHERENTLY UN-AMERICAN! CHEERING, BOASTING, AND BRAGGING SPEAKS TO YOUR PERSONAL CELEBRATING HABITS... WAVING A FLAG REPRESENTS A COUNTRY! TOO MUCH FREEDOM IS A DANGEROUS THING!
Posted by: offended | September 15, 2008 5:20 PM
Sancho--- Boasting, Cheering and Bragging is a long ways from waving a flag, Nice try though !
Posted by: Redryder-Blue | September 15, 2008 5:08 PM
Viva Sanchez!
So, waving the Mexican flag is "un-American", but cheering on the "Fighting Irish", boasting of your "Italian Heritage", or bragging about your "Greek Ancestry", etc. is somehow different?!
You Mexiphobes need an attitude adjustment.
Posted by: eyeful | September 15, 2008 4:55 PM
Sporting events and flags. Mexican flag for Mark Sanchez at the game. No differance then a fight held in Vegas where you will see a Mexican or Puerto Rican flag and coming december dont tell me you will not see those Pinoy Pinay Fillipino Flags when De La Hoya Fights Manny Pacquio (sp?)...Freedom of expression is a right in this country I see no harm in it. It is not like Sanchez went and autographed it after the game in support of it. Trust me Mark Sanchez is as American as all of us.It is not his fault he was born to Hispanic Parents and QB'S THE Number 1 School, THIS BEING USC.
Posted by: Who Cares | September 15, 2008 1:04 PM
GREAT POINT WRESTLINGFAN... AND I UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU ARE COMING FROM. BUT THAT'S MY POINT. WITH EVERYONE CELEBRATING "THEIR" HERITAGE IN AMERICA, THERE CAN BE NO "AMERICAN" HERITAGE. A BIT UPSETTING, BUT REALITY I SUPPOSE.
Posted by: offended | September 15, 2008 8:10 AM
I agree with Steve 100%. Instead of being offended by someone waving a flag from their native country, we should be asking why there are not any American flags being waved at sporting events.
Posted by: wrestlingfan | September 15, 2008 7:56 AM
I like the thought of the BCS system collapsing, and the only way that happens is when people start realizing that some of the so-called "mid-majors" can put together pretty good teams. 59-0, and that was without trying to run up the score. So now BYU is 2-0 in Pac-10 play. Can they play with the BCS conference schools? You bet.
Posted by: Yankee Bravo | September 14, 2008 11:55 PM
Offended,
I have no problem with that. NHRA driver Tony Pedregon used to display the Mexican flag on the roof hatch of his Funny Car. To me, they are just showing pride in their heritage, and I have no problem with that. Those are the rights we have in this country. Now some believe we should have these rights, but not express them. Is that you?
Like I said, they are showing pride in their heritage, and I see nothing wrong with that.
Posted by: Steve Ramirez | September 14, 2008 11:46 PM
The bahavior of that team, starts with the head coach, plain and simple. Pete Carroll's arrogance is transferred onto his players. If you ever go to a game watch the guy and you will know what I mean. Confidence is great, but that man takes it to far.
Posted by: marcoas31 | September 14, 2008 9:22 PM
Here's some interesting observations about life after USC.
1. Leinart watching Warner now...
2. Cassel couldn't get a sniff at USC, but starts for the NE.
S--- happens, and you never know!
Posted by: Things Change | September 14, 2008 9:02 PM
I AM PERSONALLY OFFENDED AT THE MEXICAN FLAG WAVING BY THE MARK SANCHEZ SUPPORTERS AT THE USC GAME. IT WAS SHAMEFUL AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT MEANS. BY WAVING THAT FLAG, DOES IT MEAN THAT THEY'D RATHER BE IN MEXICO RATHER THAN AMERICA? DOES IT MEAN THAT THEY ARE CELEBRATING THEIR MEXICAN NATIONALISM IN AMERICA? DOES IT MEAN THEY'RE ABUSING THE RIGHT TO FREE EXPRESSION? I'M CONFUSED AND OFFENDED. THAT SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED IN AMERICA!
Posted by: offended | September 14, 2008 9:00 PM
Guess those mormons can really play some football ehh! Bruins stink! GO SC!
Posted by: jason | September 14, 2008 6:38 PM
BTW - our future SGV NFL team (the Chargers) got SCREWED today with some unfortunate calls. Inoperable replay equipment, inadvertent whistles... man - it's tough on the road!
Posted by: Joe Amat | September 14, 2008 5:14 PM
*Individual* players that celebrate alone, to draw attention to *themselves*, pump their chest, or have pre-planned or choreographed dances - I'm not into
I LOVE players who are on the field celebrating with each other in a spontaneous manner. Running to high five, chest bum, tackle. pile on - whatever. Pre-Planned activities, choreographed dances, players coming off the sidelines (ala Georgia vs Florida) are excessive.
Anything, team or otherwise, that is intended to taunt or demean the opponent is completely unacceptable. Short of the above, celebrate away and enjoy successes with your team. If you ever get a chance to attend a USC practice (particularly on "Competition Tuesdays" ) the Trojans *practice celebrating*. If someone scores and everybody doesn't rush to him Carroll is all over them to do so. (in only a way that Pete can!
Posted by: Joe Amat | September 14, 2008 5:12 PM
Excessive celebrating does get me SICK . Very few athletes know how to act & sad to say you see it on ALL LEVELS ! I was @ a football game this week & a parent was taunting a opposing teams player & pretty much calling him out . It was a SAD thing to have to watch with my 2 year old son & 11 year old nephew .But I know a few bad apples do not spoil the whole bunch . Trying to reason out the Reggie on the sideline 06' Rose bowl will do me NO GOOD ! Bottom Line , with or without Wells The Trojans would have beaten OSU , like it or not . Woulda Coulda Shoulda ...Final score
USC 35
OSU 3
TM
Posted by: Trojan Man | September 14, 2008 1:44 PM
Well never let it be said that when you're team let's you down that ya got to man up and say they played poorly. You take the good with the bad...
Yup, Right now I have a fork in one hand and a dinner plate in the other because I am about to eat crow.
After all, I thought, just like allot of folks here, that this years UCLA Football team was going to be real good.
Not national champions of course, but at least a team that had a lot of heart and a team that showed great discipine out on the field.
I fealt that this years team was going to win a whole lot of games.
I felt that this years team was going to make LA a proud city, because, now, they would have two great teams to root for.
I was wrong of course, and to say that I am disapoined in their performance is a true understatement.
I hurts. But like I said, im in line here at mel's diner. You know the one right ? It's the little mom and pop's coffee shop just off the corner of heart break junction and shudda, woulda, coulda street.
That crow is gonna tast real bitter today.
Posted by: jcaz | September 14, 2008 1:27 PM
Trojan Man look no further than the last Championship the Trojans lost. Where was reggie Bush???? On the sidelines. Being "in the game and in the backfield" makes a WORLD of difference.
The defense would have to deal and account for him. Same goes for the Ohio St. RB. See the size of him on the sidelines? He was bigger than most players without pads on.
Point being Ohio St. will be a better team with their star than without him wouldn't you agree? USC looked sick on defense but I would suggest Pete Carroll wishes he went for that field goal instead of risking Sanchez on that stupid roll out that might have put that knee at risk. That's a knock on Pete, he gets too wrapped up in being a "players coach" and listening to the "LETS GO FOR IT COACH!!!" players comments.
Here's a question for the blog and for you as well TM..."Do the Trojans and Pete Carroll cross the line on sportsmanship with their celebrations?"
Just a question.
Posted by: Wilding? | September 14, 2008 12:27 PM
Trojan Man I have to agree about the discipline. AT TIMES these guys are so out of control, dancing pushing, shoving it just doesn't look good.
But then again they have been doing it for awhile and not until they get a big penalty that will cost them a ranking or a title will they learn.
Other than that the Trojans look unstoppable and a whole lot better than my Bruins you guy are on a different planet
Posted by: Zipp | September 14, 2008 11:44 AM
Sure thing Steve ...
Posted by: Trojan Man | September 14, 2008 11:29 AM
Trojan Man,
I was just trying to praise a local player, which I will always to. I'm a UCLA, but I will tell you, as I admitted to Fred, that while Shaun Cody was at USC, I wanted to see the Trojans do well. I'm just a big fan of our locals. It also adds to rooting for UCLA, because they have so many locals who are starters and impact players. If USC had as many, I would root for them, too.
Also, I would appreciate if you address me as Steve.
As a matter of respect, I don't wear my cap like a catcher, and I always address people by their first name, and appreciate the same.
Posted by: Steve Ramirez | September 14, 2008 11:03 AM
Oh one more thing PARKING LOT FREEWAY ALUMNI ....
BYU 59 UCLA 0
Fight On
TM
Posted by: Trojan Man | September 14, 2008 10:15 AM
ALWAYS bringing up Stanford
No denying Stanford DID win , and no matter if Wells played or NOT , DO YOU REALLY THINK he would of made THAT much of a difference .No NOT a USC grad , but does that not give me the right to be a fan , I did not know ONLY USC alumni could be fans . FIND something else.BIG BOY YES , I like that !
Fight On
TM
Posted by: Trojan Man | September 14, 2008 10:10 AM
Trojan Man The Ultimate Chest Thomper !
Relax big boy remember USC and Stanford last year. Sometimes things go from bad to worse.
USC has a great team"in the making". Sanchez looks like a leader and a soon to be great QB in the mold of Pat Haden, players love to play for him. The defense looks outstanding with Rey, Cushing and Matthews but USC still needs a consistent RB and the corner play could improve on deep routes. The WRs still need to grow into their positions as big time receivers how catch balls that are tough catches. USC has work to do. Any coach will tell you that. Maybe with the star Ohio St. RB things would have been different, maybe not.
Enjoy the Chest Thumping. No one does it better than parking lot freeway alumni.
Posted by: Parking Lot Freeway Alumni | September 14, 2008 9:46 AM
The comment about USC not being disciplined WHAT A JOKE!
Must be a Bruin....
SCOREBOARD BABY !!!
FIGHT ON
TM
Posted by: Trojan Man | September 14, 2008 9:22 AM
Ramirez...
"They lost because of their defense".
They lost for more reasons than there D , a big 0 on the scoreboard . That offense looked horrible , the WHOLE team looked horrible .
The Trojans PROVED they are the team to beat not just here in LA but in the Nation !
Fight On
TM
Posted by: Trojan Man | September 14, 2008 9:18 AM
Zippp: UCLA didn't lose because Craft played poorly. They lost because of their defense. Craft actually played well, throwing for more than 200 yards. He is still making the Valley and Mt. SAC proud.
200 YARDS IN THE WORST BEATING IN 75 YEARS.............
MAKING US PROUD!!!!!!!!
I WANNA BARFFF!
I CANT BELEIVE YOU JUST MADE THAT STATEMENT.
As a season ticket holder for many years that's what I'll remember thirty years from now. 75 years of a QB who handed us the biggest loss and ASS WHOOPING.
Oh I know Steve the 200 yards......OH PLEASE.
Yeah 200 yards in a 50 point plus ass whooping against BYU's third string in the second quarter.
Go write about Keppel Steve, because your embarrassing yourself talking about 200 yards and showing nothing for it on the scoreboard.
Posted by: ZIPP ZELCH NADA | September 13, 2008 11:28 PM
Its gonna be a ong trip back to OOOOOOOOOOHIIIIIOOOO! haha F*%@ the buckeyes
Posted by: TopDogCrowned | September 13, 2008 9:57 PM
Well, Fred, it must be painful for you tonight. The SC game was a total blowout as most of us expected against an overrated Buckeye team. If you watched them play last week against Ohio, you knew that they would have no chance against the Trojans today. I was surprised you only picked SC by 14. UCLA's pathetic loss to BYU is its worst since the Great Depression-1929.
Accept it: USC dominates in football and UCLA is a basketball school.
Posted by: sportsfan | September 13, 2008 9:15 PM
UCLA didn't even show up today. They made BYU look like USCx2. As a Bruin fan I'm extremely disappointed with today's performance. Best thing to do is put it behind us and move forward. If we manage a respectable season this game will hopefully be forgotten come December.
Posted by: LAC | September 13, 2008 8:20 PM
Zippp: UCLA didn't lose because Craft played poorly. They lost because of their defense. Craft actually played well, throwing for more than 200 yards. He is still making the Valley and Mt. SAC proud.
Posted by: Steve Ramirez | September 13, 2008 8:04 PM
WTF -- RE-READ FREDDY'S QUOTE...YOU KNUCKLEHEAD
Posted by: SC ON FIRE | September 13, 2008 7:55 PM
lucky enough to be one of the 90000 at the usc game right now. U cannot believe the excitement at this stadium. ready for another great sc season.
Posted by: SC ON FIRE | September 13, 2008 7:51 PM
UCLA WAS MIA!
Posted by: elias buckwalter | September 13, 2008 7:26 PM
The thing that bugs me about USC is their lack of discipline, it just makes them look really bad at times. I hate to sound like a ole fuddy duddy but get the job done and shut your big self centered mouth and show boating and prove to us all you can do it again.
Posted by: Some Old Blogger | September 13, 2008 7:13 PM
Oh Kevin Craft..oh just never mind......
Just hope your guys from last week who thought that you were the new Messiah will shut your mouthes now.
Posted by: UCLA ZIIIPPPPPPPPP | September 13, 2008 7:08 PM
TM, I've suffered over the years as a Bruin fan, but that display left me feeling more sick than mad. Fight on and get one win for the stinking Pac-10 today.
Posted by: JFR | September 13, 2008 3:54 PM
I was not THAT impressed with the Bruins win over The Volunteers but I sure thought they would play better against BYU than this ...
OUCH !!!
Fight On
TM
Posted by: Trojan Man | September 13, 2008 3:08 PM
AMAT VS. LUTHERAN
14 GREAT GAME PHOTOS/ARTICLE
http://www.ocvarsity.com/ocvarsity/sports/football/gotw/b/article_2156608.php
ENJOY!!!!
"MIGHTY ARE THE MEN THAT WEAR THE BLUE AND GOLD"
Posted by: The Shining | September 13, 2008 1:26 PM
AMAT VS. LUTHERAN
14 GREAT GAME PHOTOS/ARTICLE
http://www.ocvarsity.com/ocvarsity/sports/football/gotw/b/article_2156608.php
ENJOY!!!!
"MIGHTY ARE THE MEN THAT WEAR THE BLUE AND GOLD"
Posted by: The Shining | September 13, 2008 1:25 PM
Fred, my good man, maybe you should spend your Saturdays and Sundays just playing soccer, like you did last week.
I'm not crazy, at least the last time I checked, and I think Ohio State has a chance, abeit not a good one.
But this game all depends on Ohio State's defensive line. If they can provide enough pressure from their defensive line, which is rated as one of the best in the country, they can create havoc on USC's high-powered offense, because that will allow them to double up on the outside and close in the backs. It was the same when the Rams' "Greatest Show on Turf" would play Tampa Bay. The Bucs always gave the Rams fits because they could pressure the quarterback with their line, and lock down their receivers with double coverage. When teams have to blitz, the quarterbacks are quick enough to find the exposed hole in the defense.
I picking USC, but a lot closer than most see it: USC 21, Ohio State 17
This Ohio State team hasn't been "sexy" so far, but remember either was the 2002 team, but all they did was go 14-0 and won a mythical national title.
As for UCLA, the Bruins are no longer coached by "Radio." I can't guarantee they will win, but they won't be outcoached. I think they can slow down BYU's offesne down, but not enough, losing 24-20.
Posted by: Steve Ramirez | September 13, 2008 11:19 AM
go buckeyes
Posted by: go bucks | September 13, 2008 8:45 AM
Huh, whatcha talking about
Posted by: FredJ | September 13, 2008 7:54 AM
"I like USC in basketball and UCLA in basketball."
Proofread, proofread, proofread....
C'mon now Freddy
Posted by: WTF | September 13, 2008 7:38 AM