Post-Rose Bowl Forum, Answers, Part II

Q.) I have heard a lot of talk lately about how UCLA has higher admission standards for its football players than USC--I find this hard to believe, yet I have heard no rebuttal--so you could you tell us if that is true or not--and, if so, where? [It doesn't seem likely to lie in the area of higher SAT scores, or more required CORE courses in high school.]

A.) This whole business over who has higher admission standards is tricky to answer. Why? Because USC and UCLA are able to get certain recruits into school who do not meet the usual requirements through special admissions, it just depends on how many they admit. Since Pete Carroll arrived, USC's gotten more special admits than Paul Hackett did, but maybe that's because more elite players want to come to USC now than when Hackett was here.
But there are little nuances between the schools. For example, USC does not allow a junior-college athlete with a D on his transcript to transfer into school while UCLA does allow that. Another example might be Shareece Wright. UCLA told him he needed an extra math class. He said he would have taken it, but he didn't want to go to UCLA.

Q.) Can you please give us ALL the SCOOP on Emily--inquiring minds want to know!!!!!
A.) Patience is a virtue.

Q.) When the Rose Bowl hosts the next BCS Championship game, who broadcasts? ABC or Fox?
A.) Fox is currently under contract to televise the BCS title games.

Q.) Assuming Mark Sanchez wins the starting job next year, do you think he has the leadership and skills necessary to lead SC to a national championship?
A.) This is a good question. Can USC beat Virginia and Ohio State in nonconference games, not to mention the usual suspects in the Pac-10 with a first-year starter to get to the national championship. Matt Leinart didn't do it, although the Trojans shared the title. John David Booty didn't do it, although it only took a win over UCLA to get there. Right now, I don't know if USC can get there with Mark Sanchez or Mitch Mustain at quarterback.

Q.) Were Rachal to leave early, I assume Byers and Parsons would probably be the starting guards, but who do you think would be the two back-ups for them?
A.) Why do you assume Parsons would start? Zach Heberer already started two games when Rachal was hurt and he played right guard when Rachal came out. Parsons played tackle. I assume Heberer starts without Rachal.

Q.) How important is it to the coaches that there is chemistry between Mustain and Williams, and do they acknowledge this as a factor that works in their favor?
A.) It's a plus but the coaches don't want Mustain to favor any one WR too much. But hey, when you're in trouble, if you can count on someone bailing you out, it's definitely a plus.