Answers, Part IV

Here is the fourth set:

from what you’ve seen this week, does Olson still have a shot and being ready for Fresno St
Not that I see. I wouldn’t think he has a chance to be ready for Washington State having seen him Thursday, but who knows?

Will Franklin get some carries this week? If not,why?
I don’t think so. The best reason I can give is UCLA gave him a chance in practice Tuesday and he fumbled while running through the hole of a non-contact drill. Plus, the staff thinks Derrick Coleman is more prepared to play at this time.

Any idea who wins out in a competition next year between Kevin Prince and Richard Brehaut? And is Kevin Prince a 3-year starter type, or a holdover until Richard Brehaut gets into the offense?
Not sure, but it will be tough for a true freshman to come in and start unless there is a way he can come in early and take part in spring practice. And I have not seen enough (ok, any) of Prince to be able to determine whether or not he is a three-year starter type of caretaker of the position. But I do like most of the things I’ve seen from him.

The defense has not been able to stop the run in either of the first two games, a result which is uncharacteristic of Dwayne Walker defenses. Is a major problem that the team has not found adequate replacements for Taylor, Horton, Keyes and Davis? Or is it that opposing teams are doing a better job adjusting to Walker’s schemes? Or might it merely be that UCLA played two teams with excellent offensive lines and running backs?
I think it is looking for adequate replacements and also two big offensive lines, which can make a running back look very good. I’m not very impressed with Harvey Unga of BYU, but I loved Tennessee’s running backs.

You mentioned in last weeks forum that Hester isn’t playing because he struggles with zones. However, in my view, the reason that Max Hall decimated us was that every time he dropped back, he knew our corners were man up. It seemingly made his job very easy. Am I wrong?
You are wrong in the sense UCLA plays man often, but that is not why he had success. In a nutshell, here’s why he was successful. On the 2-yard touchdown slant to Austin Collie, UCLA cornerback Alterraun Verner lined up across from Collie, but playing on Collie’s outside hip. Hall and Collie both read that, so the slant was open for an easy touchdown because the safety cannot get over in time. If Verner lined up on Collie’s inside hip, it would have forced Collie outside, and Hall to throw a touch pass in the corner. Many teams line up and play man, but there are ways to play it that will create tons of trouble for the offense.

If you looked at other stadiums even the Coliseum, the end zones are painted with bright color with background. How come our end zones just painted with words with no background? Only South Bend and State College looked more dull than ours.
I don’t know, but I agree with you. No pizzazz.

What happened to Damien Holmes? I thought he was supposed to be an impact player, even though he is a freshman. We have heard nary a word about him
He is going to red-shirt. He is not ready to play, but the coaching staff believes he has a big future. It will just take time for him to gain strength.

We’re hearing that Renaldo Sydney may be following Brandon Jenning’s footsteps by going to Europe. Is this one of many reasons that we’re shunning away from him?
No. Let’s just say Sydney may not have the opportunity to play in college. Understand?