Q: Did you see enough from Steve Alford’s first year as basketball coach that warranted a one-year extension?

A: No. A Sweet Sixteen in his first season was probably a better result than anyone could have imagined a year ago, but Alford was already being handsomely paid on a contract that retained him through the 2019-2020 season. But that contract — which contained an unusual mirrored buyout that gave him extra job security — also stipulated that he and athletic director Dan Guerrero will meet each year to discuss to “option” of an extension.

I can see an argument for an extension if he only had, say, three years left on his contract. But setting up an agreement where he could potentially be extended every single year seems unnecessary.

Q: What are some of the keys surrounding the offensive line’s poor performance? It’s astounding that a unit with so many four-star athletes could give up 10 sacks in a game. Is there a schematic issue here or a lack of player development?

A: Brett Hundley could have done much more to avoid some of those sacks against Utah. But the offensive line also did little to block off the edge. Even while attributing sacks to “all 11,” Jim Mora admitted that the team struggled on the edge, and that “a couple guys that usually play pretty darn well didn’t play as well as they’re capable.”

But I think one of the issues is that UCLA lacks standout tackles. Malcolm Bunche played both guard and tackle at Miami, but looks better suited for the former and practiced there as a Bruin in spring. Caleb Benenoch entered the program as a guard, and only switched to tackle after he was beaten out for a starting spot by Alex Redmond right before the 2013 season opener. Benenoch reshaped his body dramatically over the offseason to better suit the position, but his play hasn’t caught up yet so far this season. The only true tackle in the 2013 class was Poasi Moala.

In the bigger picture, injuries haven’t helped; they just haven’t been the catastrophic, in-season sort that UCLA saw last season. Klemm talked before the season about how he still doesn’t have the “quality depth” that he would like. Conor McDermott and Simon Goines might be exactly what the Bruins need at tackle, but neither is fully healthy. Without them at 100 percent, there just isn’t much depth on the edges.

Q: The Bruin defense simply didn’t look prepared to defend against a zone read scheme when the Utes went all in with Kendal Thompson. No discernible halftime adjustments either. Is this simply a matter of being caught off guard and not being able to adjust? Or should there be concern when the Bruins confront the zone-read supreme deluxe against Oregon and Marcus Mariota albeit with a watered down version of a regular offensive line?

A: I think there may have been a bit of a surprise factor with Thompson being subbed in early, and for the rest of the game rather than just in certain packages. He entered Saturday having only thrown 26 of the Utes’ 126 passes this season.

But there should be legitimate concern regarding Oregon and Marcus Mariota, even if UCLA adjusts to the zone-read more. Mariota is just on an entirely different level compared to Thompson, and can make something out of nothing even if his line breaks down.

Q: I can’t think of a weekend in recent memory when all Pac-10/12 home teams lost. The perceived top conference teams all have exposed weaknesses and the bottom tier is more competitive than it was a year ago. Is this the most parity we’ve seen in the Pac-12 in quite a while? Does it make the nine-game conference schedule and title game that much more brutal?

A: It’s definitely the most parity that I can remember. And yes, the nine-game conference schedule and title game only make the road even tougher. As Rick Neuheisel said a few times over the past several months, SEC commissioner Mike Slive is the one with the right idea.

Q: As I’m sure you have noticed, Cameron Judge is an absolute beast on special teams. Why do you suppose the coaches don’t play him at all on defense. Seems like he could make an impact rushing the QB since none of other guys are getting many sacks anyway. Your thoughts?

A: Jim Mora mentioned Judge as one player who could get some extra snaps now that Kenny Orjioke is out for the season with a torn ACL, so we’ll see. But just because someone is an excellent special teams player doesn’t necessarily mean he would be a great linebacker too. See: Ryan Hofmeister.

Q: With the major donation from Casey Wasserman, when is UCLA going to break ground on the football training facility named after him?

A: Don’t have a specific date, but should be within the next year. The area where the facility is supposed to be hasn’t been altered much recently.

Q: I know it’s your job to be objective, but do you find it hard to cover the game when UCLA is playing Cal? How do you focus on your job when UCLA is playing your alma mater, especially since Cal looks good this year?

A: Not hard at all, really. The fandom stuff fades away once you do this for a living, and that was really the case even when I was on the student paper. During a game, there’s too much to worry about just in terms of doing work — especially on deadline. Games can still feel exciting, but it becomes more about appreciating the sport and the drama.