What Went Wrong in Westwood: Pt. 10

Ed. note: I'm taking a retrospective look at what eventually doomed the Rick Neuheisel era. He obviously did not lack a passion for the job, but questionable decisions and cruel twists of fate - and knees - led to his dismissal from his alma mater. I take a look back at a dozen of the pivotal moments that eventually sealed Neuheisel's fate.

10. Unmerry-Go-Round

With his job on the line this season, Neuheisel knew that settling the quarterback debate would be paramount. With Norm Chow off to Utah and the quarterbacks now under his command, Neuheisel would have to decide once and for all, Kevin Prince or Richard Brehaut. After declaring the competition 50-50 and saying that it was a coin-flip for who would get the first practice reps of fall, Neuheisel gave Prince the keys and never really asked for them back. Even as Brehaut showed better command of the offense and sharper passing, Prince got the lion's share of first-team reps until around Week 3, when Brehaut forced his way back into the discussion. By Week 1, things had barely been settled, Prince was injured against Houston, came back to throw three first-quarter interceptions in a 49-20 loss to Texas and only regained the starting spot when Brehaut suffered a broken ankle against Washington State. Now? Things are as unsettled as ever.