Answers, Part VI

Do Brett Downey and Austin Hill have a chance to backup this season or they'll redshirting?
I don't know if they will red-shirt, but I do not see either one playing, unless there are some catastrophic injuries. Both are walk-ons, and when a walk-on offensive lineman is playing as a true freshman ...well, that is not good.

Coach Neuheisel seems to be very confident and somewhat cocky. At the same time he seems genuine and possesses a good sense of humor.
What is your sense of his personality, and will he be a great recruiter?
He is a great personality, but I never got the sense he was cocky. He is optimistic, which is a great approach to life. He's had some tough moments (albeit self-created), and his optimism helped get him through it. However, recruiting is a different ballgame. It is about relationships, and he needs to build some to be a great recruiter. I don't think he was a great recruiter at Colorado or Washington.

I remember (I believe) your comment that Tennessee would win a close game. Do you still think so?
I admit to being a "glass is half empty" kind of guy but I'm thinking it will be closer to a 42-10 defeat, and a probable 1-3 or 0-4 record to start the season.
Comments?
I think it will be closer than 42-10 because I have a lot of faith in defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker to confuse a newbie Tennessee quarterback, and for offensive coordinator Norm Chow to call a conservative, yet smart, game. I see it being 17-6, or something like that. But I can definitely see a 1-3 start, with UCLA losing its first two games and splitting Arizona and Fresno State.

I was surprised that Sean Westgate was listed among the freshmen who may play this year since he is currently undersized for a linebacker. Does he not need to get much bigger and stronger before he can make a significant contribution at linebacker?
Yes, he needs to increase his size. His inclusiveness among the freshmen who may play has more to do with the linebacker depth than his readiness to play.

Why does the coaching staff think that Jess Ward is talented enough to compete for a starting position on the offensive line? Has he ever actually practiced with the offensive line before now?
Because they have no other options, and he's a big, strong kid. That is why I believe the offense is in trouble, because there is no depth left. The last time he played offensive line was in high school.

Now that Mike Harris has returned to practice, do you think he has the talent and ability to wind up as a starting tackle? Has the time he has lost to injury significantly disadvantaged him in competing for a starting job? Is he now at full strength or is he still favoring the ankle?
First, Harris has not returned to practice, and I'm not sure where you read he was back practicing. He is scheduled to return to practice Monday, if he is medically cleared. Second, the time lost to injury does put him at a serious disadvantage, but he still may play because UCLA doesn't have enough capable bodies. And if he was waiting for his ankle to be 100 percent before coming back, that would not bode well for his ability to last a season on the offensive line.

something i always wonder about is how much (or little) prestige is associated with ucla football in the eyes of the rest of the country. what does your unbiased opinion say about it? ...are we a whatever skool to the rest of the country? are we a purdue? who are we like? (i think like michigan, but im biased lol)
No, UCLA is not Michigan, but it is not Purdue. I think UCLA has a good reputation across the nation, but it has been sullied from the lack of success the last decade. Most of the people I talk to about UCLA only recall the glory Donahue years, and do not have much idea what transpired before or after Donahue. In your terms, I think UCLA falls between Purdue and Michigan. And it also helps it is in Los Angeles, which always gets kids' attention. Not many folks grow up dreaming of playing football in West Lafayette, Ind.

concerning the offensive line and what youve seen, matched up against our already extremely low expectations of them, if you had to choose between the two, which outcome for the o-line would you predict for the tennessee game:
1) pleasantly suprised
2) disgustingly dissappointed
If I had to chose between the two, disgustingly disappointed. For many, it will be their first game action, and I can see some guys getting flustered.

It seems that Sonny Tevaga has been playing with the first team offensive line for most of the last couple of weeks. Do you think he winds up as a starter over Darius Savage? What are his strengths and weaknesses?
I talked to offensive line coach Bob Palcic about it Thursday, and although Tevaga is playing there, it is not a done deal the season will begin that way. There are other issues at work, which I will write about over the weekend. I'm not sure if Savage will start, but it could happen. As far as Tevaga's strengths and weaknesses, let's just say he has a better understanding of his assignments than Savage, and I will leave it at that.