Folks, sorry for the late start with the Q&A. As those who were on the in-game chat yesterday know, I was not feeling particularly well and needed some sleep. I’m thinking 12 or so sets of answers today, beginning with this one:
What kind of factors do Rivals and other recruiting sites use to benchmark the number of stars/ranking of prospects? There’s a pair of HS backs in my area who rushed for over 3000 yards, 25TD this season and aren’t on the website or offered.
Plenty of factors. There is the competition they play against, the team they are on, how they do at combine testing that is run for prospects (if they don’t go to the combine it can hurt them) and what schools offered them scholarships. Those are the nuts and bolts of it.
On short yard situations, why didn’t we line up Price (or anyone huge) at FB last year besides ona a few goal line plays? I think that’s nearly an instant 2-3 yards. Is it to keep him fresh on D, or because his blocking footwork is terrible?
Even when he was lined up at fullback, he wasn’t always going the right direction on the play. Sometimes he missed blocks, and I don’t think UCLA was willing to take that chance in the middle of the field.
Other then the Backfield battle, which other position battle are you most interested to see this spring? and why?
I wan to see what happens with the quarterback spot. I have my theories, and I know the direction UCLA wants to take, but it still has to materialize. And the offense is only going to be as good as quarterback plays.
Why isn’t 20-7 and in the mix for the P10 not enough for Bruin fans? (Or, to put it another way — Does Dohn think we are spoiled?)
I don’t think UCLA fans are spoiled, I think many are unrealistic. I understand UCLA hoops is about national championships, but the Bruins won ONE national title in the last three decades. UCLA went to the last three Final Fours, and I get the sense some folks think it is a birth rite to get back there. UCLA lost three starters to early departures to the NBA, and the teams contending against UCLA for the Pac-10 title have kids that returned instead of leaving. And I think the attitude is coaxed along by an administration that doesn’t publicly recognize the significant of getting to three straight Final Fours.
There’s a video on the internet of Neuheisel giving a talk to boosters on football signing day. During the talk, he said that Ganz is coming back next year. What are you hearing about that?
I think he is coming back as well. He interviewed with Kansas City and Dallas, but Neuheisel said last week he expected no more staff defections.
Any other late football signees?
Nope. Unless you count Branden Warner, who is still waiting to take care of bills at Compton College.
Have you talked with Ben Howland about whether he would consider a different type defense (zone, etc.)that may match this years personnel better? If not, do you think he might? Thanks.
Howland hates zone defense. Let me re-phrase that. Howland HATES zone defense, and will not play it. It’s a moot point, and not even worth asking. It’s like asking Rick Neuheisel if he’s going to be USC gear for his kids for Christmas.
UCLA jacked up season ticket prices for basketball by a staggering 30% for next year. Does this decision in this economy make any sense or is it going to eviscerate the middle-class from being able to purchse seats?
I did not know they did that. Please email me some information on that and I will look into it. …And how does one have to spend now to watch UCLA pummel some directional school in November and December?