Weekly Answers, Pt. 4

Check out the latest batch of weekly answers…

1) What do you think of the tempo of practice to other programs you have seen? – goblue
The tempo has been increased from last year, but I still think the intensity and contact can be raised. I understand that injuries are a real worry, and I’m not saying you want carnage out there, but to adequately prepare for the contact and hitting of a real game, there needs to be more of that at UCLA.

2) How many wins do you predict UCLA will have in football in 2010, and what are their chances of going to a bowl game? Who are the teams to beat in the Pac-10? – Bruin Fizzle
Like I’ve said all along, seven wins at the most, five at the least. The Bruins should beat: Washington, Washington State, Arizona State and Houston. The Bruins can beat: Arizona, Stanford and Kansas State. The Bruins probably won’t beat: USC, Oregon, Cal, Oregon State and Texas. I think they go 2-1 against Arizona, Stanford and Kansas State to get up to six wins, then win the bowl game, and if they stay healthy and Prince and the offensive line progress, nine or 10 wins in 2011.

3) Is the pistol going to be our main offense next year? Or are CRN and Chow trying to teach it all this spring and start using are regular offense come fall with some pistol thrown in. And what exactly the pros and cons for the pistol and UCLA’s offense from last year. -Thanks ahead of time – JulianDThey keep saying that it’s only part of the scheme and they’ll still run their base offense, but I don’t buy it. You don’t spend an entire spring practicing a new offense without committing to it. Everyone knows this isn’t a “new” offense, but if UCLA ran it exclusively, it sure would be. Chow and Neuheisel maintain that the Bruins “know” the base stuff…yeah, know it all the way to 116th and 97th in rushing. They know a change needs to be made is what they know. This *should* allow more fluidity and consistency in the running game, which they hope, in turn, will open up the downfield passing game. All I know is we should see less three-yard tight end screens this year.

4) Will you please put the questions in bold print. Thanks. – AnonymousYes.

5) Were any of the football players “adopted” by a white family ala “The Blind Side”? – AnonymousNot that I know of, but if you hear of any, email me. I’d love to write about that.