Pac-12 football preview: Predictions, media days schedule

UCLA Head Coach Jim Mora speaks to the media at Pac-12 Media Days in 2016. (Photo by John McCoy/So Cal News Group)

It’s almost time for football.

Some teams have already started training camp and representatives from all Pac-12 schools will meet with the media Wednesday and Thursday at Hollywood and Highland during Pac-12 Media Days.

The official media poll will be released Wednesday morning before Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott opens the two-day event at 9 a.m. Below is how I voted in this year’s poll, along with each team’s Media Days representatives and the interview schedule for the next two days.

What are your predictions for the Pac-12 this year?
Continue reading “Pac-12 football preview: Predictions, media days schedule” »

Scott Quessenberry, Kenny Young to represent UCLA at Pac-12 Media Days

UCLA center Scott Quessenberry (52) was named to the Spring Watch List for the Rimington Trophy. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

Offensive lineman Scott Quessenberry and linebacker Kenny Young will be UCLA’s two player representatives at next month’s Pac-12 Media Days at Hollywood and Highland. The players will accompany head coach Jim Mora during the two-day event from July 26-27.

The Bruins are scheduled to take the main stage at 10:20 a.m. on July 26.

Quarterback Josh Rosen would have been the media’s first choice to represent the offense, especially with USC sending its star quarterback Sam Darnold. Sending Quessenberry follows Mora’s tendency to give seniors the opportunity to speak for the team, but there have been exceptions, like when Deon Hollins went in 2015 as a junior instead of Myles Jack, who was also a junior at that time. If you can make an exception for Hollins, bringing Rosen doesn’t seem too big of an ask. It’s likely that Quessenberry will spend most of the day just fielding questions about Rosen anyway. There is at least a little more star power this year than last when there was the same number of quarterbacks and punters (one each).

The full schedule and line up for Pac-12 media days: Continue reading “Scott Quessenberry, Kenny Young to represent UCLA at Pac-12 Media Days” »

UCLA football excited to get out of San Bernardino

UCLA Head Coach Jim Mora. Coaches and athletes from each team in the PAC-12 pose for a group photo. The schools were invited to speak at the 2016 Pac-12 Football Media Days at the Loews Hollywood Hotel In Hollywood, CA. July 15, 2016. (Photo by John McCoy/So Cal News Group)

UCLA Head Coach Jim Mora. Coaches and athletes from each team in the PAC-12 pose for a group photo. The schools were invited to speak at the 2016 Pac-12 Football Media Days at the Loews Hollywood Hotel In Hollywood, CA. July 15, 2016. (Photo by John McCoy/So Cal News Group)

The UCLA football team wrapped up Pac-12 Media Days on Friday looking forward to fall camp. For linebacker Jayon Brown, there’s one more reason than usual to be excited.

Unlike in past years, the Bruins will only be spending one week in San Bernardino instead of two. Head coach Jim Mora scheduled the first week of camp on UCLA’s campus before spending the final week at Cal State San Bernardino.

“That’s lovely,” Brown said of getting to stay in Westwood for a week of camp. “Everybody on the team I know is hyped up for that. The ‘Dino is hot and it’s dry and it’s not a lovely place. Sorry for all the people out there in the I.E.” Continue reading “UCLA football excited to get out of San Bernardino” »

Steve Sarkisian: USC has underperformed against UCLA

In two stints as an USC assistant coach, Steve Sarkisian saw the Trojans win six rivalry games with just one loss. As the program’s head coach, he’s 0-for-1 against UCLA — part of the Bruins’ three-win streak.

Asked about the factors that have tilted the rivalry to Westwood, Sarkisian traced the roots to Rick Neuheisel. Despite the his lackluster on-field record, the former UCLA head coach pulled in three top-15 recruiting classes from 2008-10. That gave Jim Mora some of the tools he needed to put the Bruins back atop Los Angeles football.

“They’ve recruited really well,” Sarkisian said on Friday. “I want to make sure I give Rick credit here too, because Rick brought in some really talented players: Brett Hundley, Owa (Odighizuwa), all these guys.

“I know Rick didn’t get to see it through, and Jim came in and continued upon that, recruiting good players. I think they’ve performed really well. The quarterback play with Brett really helped them. I think the first time around, their quarterback play struggled some.” Continue reading “Steve Sarkisian: USC has underperformed against UCLA” »