Answers, Part XIII
Onto my favorite number, lucky 13:
Do you think this year's freshman class (true frosh and guys redshirting) will play in a BCS bowl before they leave UCLA?
I'll give it a 40 to 50 percent chance. Much of it is contingent on how USC continues to do (and if Pete Carroll stays), and whether UCLA's admissions remains a huge issue.
If Pac-10 programs were stocks, which would you buy and which would you sell?
I would bye Washington and Washington State (they can't get much lower) and sell USC, Arizona State and Oregon.
Has a more mature Rick Neuheisel lost some of the cockiness and swagger that gave him some success as a young coach? Couldn't UCLA use some of that right now?
I think Neuheisel is different, but not I don't think it is hurting UCLA. What the Bruins need, more than swagger and cockiness, is talent. They are short on talent.
If this season finishes as you and most others suspect (5-7), what do you project our record to be next year?
I think, given the schedule and the knowledge of who is coming back, if the coaching staff remains largely in tact, UCLA could win eight games next season.
Do you think RB Daniel Jenkins ends up a Bruin?
First, UCLA needs offer him. And I don't know if that is going to happen, but if it does, I think UCLA has a great chance for him.
Do you think Kia switches positions next year and starts again?
Nope.
Do you see Dominique Johnson re-emerging or will he continue to fade away?
I see him being passed over, unless he changes his work ethic and something finally clicks.
Do you think Olson will start whining if he's not named the starter the minute he's cleared to play?
No. He understands the situation and will not be a distraction.
Will UCLA/Rose Bowl do anything to improve the game day experience in the coming years?
I would hope so. What would you like to see? Perhaps I will do a post on that next week so everyone can chime in.
Do the coaches see EJ Woods as a FS or a SS? Dye?
From what I understand, they see Woods as a strong safety and Dye more as free safety.
Who's ahead on the depth chart at TE, Harkey or Chandler?
Depends on the situation. Chandler is a better blocker and Harkey is a better receiver.
Do you think Knox can be a similar RB to OSU's Jacquizz Rogers?
I think Knox can be better than Rogers. Knox is very impressive on scout team, and has great vision and movement in the hole.
You should definitely do a post for readers to comment on what they'd like to see in terms of game day stuff!
Thanks for all your efforts, Brian.
On the topic of improving the game day experience, the first thing to do is not schedule games in the daytime during the month of September. There were over 100 people seeking first aid relief from the heat at the FSU game and it wasn't all that hot. It is a terrible thing to just use the fans as a studio audience for the TV broadcast. The well-being of the people who show up and buy tickets should be given priority over the networks when it comes to scheduling starting times, not the other way around.
Nobody hates those early games more than me. However, its the TV guys have total control of game times and they dont care. They just put the Bruins in whatever slot they think will make them the most $$. The Bruins have no say in it. Of course, the Bruins athletic dept probably doesnt mind because those earlier slots probably tend to pay them more $$, especially if its ABC or CBS. Thats just the nature of the beast these days :-( Got my fingers crossed for a late start time against the Beavers!
Some years ago, a D-1 basketball coach (national name, wish I could remember who!) was asked about the impact of TV broadcasting on the game of basketball. He replied that if TV told him he was tipping off at 3:00, he would ask, "AM or PM?"