Well, it looks like Lache Seastrunk decided that Eugene was getting a little too hot for him.  After transferring and landing in Waco, he fired this zinger off:

"I felt like God wanted me to be [at Oregon]," Seastrunk said. "But God will also pull you out of the storm before it happens. I felt like something was about to go down, and God wanted me to get up out of there."

Now, I don't know if Seastrunk transferred because he had fallen down the depth chart behind true freshmen D'Anthony Thomas and sophomore Tra Carson, or because his grandmother has apparently fallen ill, both of which reasons have previously been given.  What I do know is that rumors are running rampant that the NCAA is offering limited immunity to players involved in the Miami scandal, and there are rumors popping up that the NCAA may do the same for Seastrunk.  

I wonder what was "about to go down"?  

Bumped. - BN Eds.

We're almost at the end of the off-season, folks.  We've gone through each of the BCS conferences (sans Big East) and picked our favorite school.  Why not have a winners bracket?  

We started with the ACC.  North Carolina and Boston College ran away as BN's favorite ACC schools.  

We then moved on to the B1G 10, where Michigan was the clear favorite.  

Then we jumped down south, where Tennessee and its hatred of Kiffin prevailed as BN's most-liked school in the SEC.  

Back in the midwest, Texas was the clear winner from the Big XII.

In the PAC-12, California was the winner followed closely by Stanford.  

Before we vote on our favorite non-UCLA school, let's do one last name association.  What comes to mind when you hear each conference name?

Michigan football (via lapenn)

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Bumped. - BN Eds.

We're in the middle of the inching closer to the end of the offseason, folks.  I'm devoid of anything relevant to talk about, so why not play some name association with other schools?  What is the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to these schools?  It could be a player, coach, moment, or venue.  

We started with the ACC.  North Carolina and Boston College ran away as BN's favorite ACC schools.  We then moved on to the B1G 10, where Michigan was the clear favorite.  Then we jumped down south, where Tennessee and its hatred of Kiffin prevailed as BN's most-liked school in the SEC.  Our last vote was the Big XII, where Texas predictably lapped the pack.

I am going to skip the Big East (unless somebody objects), and finish with the Pac 12.  Fire away!

ucla-cheerleaders-13 (via kovacsferenc776612)

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Bumped. - BN Eds.

We're in the middle of the offseason, folks.  I'm devoid of anything relevant to talk about, so why not play some name association with other schools?  What is the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to these schools?  It could be a player, coach, moment, or venue.  

We started with the ACC.  North Carolina and Boston College ran away as BN's favorite ACC schools.  We then moved on to the B1G 10, where Michigan ran away from the rest of the conference as BN's favorite school.  Then we jumped down south, where Tennessee and its hatred of Kiffin prevailed as BN's most-liked school in the SEC.

Let's move back to the midwest, shall we.  Big XII, anyone?

Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

The game continues with the obligatory poll after the jump.

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Bumped. -BN Eds.

We're in the middle of the offseason, folks.  I'm devoid of anything relevant to talk about, so why not play some name association with other schools?  What is the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to these schools?  It could be a player, coach, moment, or venue.  

We started with the ACC.  North Carolina and Boston College ran away as BN's favorite ACC schools.  There seemed to be fairly consistent memories about most of the schools.  We then moved on to the B1G 10, where Michigan ran away from the rest of the conference as BN's favorite school.  We'll now jump to the south.  Let's see what everyone remembers about the SEC.

Tennessee VS UCLA 190 (via jgtitans)

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We're in the middle of the offseason, folks.  I'm devoid of anything relevant to talk about, so why not play some name association with other schools?  What is the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to these schools?  It could be a player, coach, moment, or venue.  

We started with the ACC.  North Carolina and Boston College ran away as BN's favorite ACC schools.  There seemed to be fairly consistent memories about most of the schools.  I doubt that the ACC would rank very high as BN's favorite non-Pac conference, and I will save the overall conference poll for the last post.  For now, let's move on to the Big 10 (12).  Please, save your "Legends" and "Leaders" jokes for the last post:

University of Michigan Football (via Anthony Gattine)

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Bumped. Fun game for the off-season. - BN Eds.

We're in the middle of the offseason, folks.  I'm devoid of anything relevant to talk about, so why not play some name association with other schools?  What is the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to these schools?  It could be a player, coach, moment, or venue.  We'll start with the ACC:

Miami at Boston College. Photo Credit: benostrander (flickr)

 I'll try to post these for every major conference throughout the summer.  Enjoy!

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CRN fired Bullough on December 18, 2010.  It is now February 9, 2011.  We have seen two coaches were supposedly hired (Shannon and Seto), one of which faded away (Shannon) while the other was turned away in dramatic fashion (Seto).  Signing day has come and gone, and spring practices are around the corner.  Where do we go from here.

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Bumped with 2010 Hundley highlights now up on YT-BN

The final scout.com rankings list Brett Hundley as a 5 Star recruit.  In an article behind a firewall, Brandon Huffman notes Hundley's polish, poise, and pocket awareness.  Per Huffman, Hundley has been playing in a pistol variation at Chandler and will have a short learning curve to go along with his live arm and good feet.

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1.  Versus coverage wasn't as bad as I thought.  The picture was pretty good, but the announcers left a little to be desired.  Especially when they tried to explain how UCLA got a helmet to helmet call while OSU's hit on Brehaut was not called.

2.  Ayers lost contain on the reverse for a TD.  You take Ayers' exciting, freelancing plays with the blown assignments, but that play stood out.

3.  I liked the offensive playcalling for the most part.  55 runs to 19 passes is not balanced, but it was effective.  The number of runs kept OSU's offense off the field and out of rhythm.  Those long drives tired out OSU's defense and kept UCLA's fresh.  Would have I liked to see a bomb to Carroll?  Of course, but the staff had a game plan, the kids executed it, and it worked.  

4.  The offense only turned the ball over once.  This also had something to do with the play calling.  It came at close to midfield, didn't hurt the team in the long run, and will provide a good learning point to RB.  It was a make-able play, IMO, but not necessarily one that was worth the risk.  If he is going to throw that ball, he better make sure to put it where the receiver HAS to catch it.  

5.  The young guys are stepping up.  There are two arguments being made on BN: First, the kids should have been playing sooner.  They are fast, talented, and obviously making plays.  Second, the kids are playing well because they have had time to learn.  They wouldn't have played as well had they been thrown into the fire unprepared.  I don't think these two theories are mutually exclusive.  For example, I think RB could have played well from week 1 this year.  Carroll, on the other hand, has needed time to develop as a WR, and I think the practice time has really helped him.  Zumalt could not have started this season- his position is too difficult to expect a FR to come in and play.  Riley probably could have, but he is being used sparingly and I assume it is because he has only learned a portion of the playbook to date.

IMO, I think CRN has handled playing the younger players well.  They have not lost confidence and are turning into true players.  I hope to see what CRN if he has two more recruiting classes like the last two.  

6.  Forbath is human, but he's still one of the best in the country.

7.  Bullough called a good game.  Holding OSU to 14 points is no small feat.  Yes, the D was aided by Chow's conservative gameplan, and I thought OSU's gameplan was pretty awful, but it was still impressive to see the D lock down OSU when it mattered.

8.  The team absolutely has to keep momentum.  After the game, I immediately began wondering if the team can keep it up in Seattle.  It's tough to go on the road on a Thursday night, but it is another OPPORTUNITY for CRN & Co. to show what this program is all about.  The Huskies and their crowd will be jacked up, the announcers will undoubtedly rehash CRN's stint at UW repeatedly, and it will probably be cold, rainy, and miserable.  That said, what better than a nationally televised game to show recruits that the program is headed in the right direction.

In response to a post, I made the comment:

I'd watch 3 yards and a cloud of dust if it meant we win.

It was off the cuff, but it got some pretty good responses.  It might be a good form of catharsis to let everyone know how far you would go if it meant we win. 

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Bumped. GO BRUINS. -N

Look who is on the homepage of SI.com:

Per Stewart Mandel and Andy Staples of SI.COM, UCLA and Tennessee are traditional powers on the upswing.

The Bruins have several factors working in their favor entering their third season under Rick Neuheisel. Most notably, their cross-town rival just got hit with heavy NCAA sanctions (10 docked scholarships each of the next three seasons) that, at the very least, will benefit UCLA in head-to-head recruiting. But the Bruins weren't exactly struggling in that arena: Even coming off a 7-6 season, they landed Rivals.com's No. 8 class last spring.

"I think we're right on the cusp of being there," said Neuheisel. "The last three years, we've gotten great recruiting classes. We've done our R&D. Now we need to execute the business plan."

If UCLA, which enters preseason camp with just one projected senior starter, struggles this fall, it could spark grumblings about Neuheisel. But by then the foundation should be in place for either him or a successor to instigate a breakthrough right around the time USC feels the brunt of its sanctions. Remember, the Trojans started the 2000s with 5-7 and 6-6 seasons.

CRN has done a wonderful job setting the program up for success, and I (of course) agree that the program is positioned for some very good football.  

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Bumped. GO BRUINS. -N

Here on Bruinsnation, we have all been following CRN and the ongoing story regarding three student athletes' alleged felony charges.  The story has been reported well on this site.  CRN acted decisively and should be respected for doing so.

Of course, not everyone respects forsaking talent for integrity.  In case you missed it, a local "journalist" tweeted strangely in attempt link SUC's sanctions with the alleged acts of UCLA's three incoming athletes. 

Nestor responded to the tweet here.  Needless to say, there is no logical link between the two events.  Yes, USC was sanctioned for NCAA violations. This is true. Yes, three UCLA student athletes allegedly broke laws. This is also true. However, there is absolutely no logical connection between the two events. None.  Dufresne might as well tweet about a traffic jam and compare it to SUC’s “unfair” penalty.

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Newly employed Floyd is flapping his mouth and throwing more than implications toward his former boss.

I wonder if Timmeh let UTEP know about his position on recruiting during his interview?  He clearly doesn't feel the need to hide his belief that star players like OJ2 come at a premium.

 "And there is an underground economy in our sport. And I'm not saying anything about the case. Nothing about the case. But if anybody thinks that O.J. Mayo, with his talents, was bought for $1,000, you're out of your damn mind. It's just absolutely preposterous. And my name being associated with the recruitment of O.J. Mayo...It makes no sense."

 

He then voiced his opinion over the basketball program being offered as the sacrificial lamb.  Taken in context, this scud clearly implies that SUC wasn't just paying for basketball players...

 "When the investigation turned to 'institutional control,' I felt like the 'institutional control' portion was directed at [the basketball program]. I didn't like the tone or the approach [of the investigation]," Floyd said.

Cheat on.

UPDATE (N): Quick note here. While it is amusing to see Timmeh trying to throw Garrett under the bus it is pretty funny to see trying so hard to disassociate himself from the recruiting of OJ2. It is especially funny because Timmeh seemed to be in center of what was (as one of our old posters put it) a Trojan "fairy tale" (with a "pitch" from Cheatey Petey to OJ2 per Timmeh's request). GO BRUINS.

Bumped with video. This is a pretty significant get and could be a foreshadowing of recruiting momentum that is buzzing around UCLA's program. GO BRUINS. - N

Derrick Bryant - Columbus Brookhaven - Class of 2010 (via ScoutingOhio)

According to Scout.com, three star defensive end Derrick Bryant verbally committed to Coach Neu following his campus visit:

The 6-4, 230-pound defensive end prospecte from Columbus (Ohio) Brookhaven, Derrick Bryant, took his official visit to UCLA this weekend and gave Head Coach Rick Neuheisel a verbal commitment...

Derrick Bryant had offers from Michigan, West Virginia, North Carolina, Oregon, Kansas, and Kentucky. 

Bryant looks to have amazing athletic ability.  At 6'4, 230, he will need to add some weight, but his listed 40 time is 4.55.  ESPN does not have him listed as a UCLA recruit, but this link has video (not insider).

Congrats and welcome to the Bruin community!  We look forward to watching you dominate on Saturdays!

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This morning I decided to read UW's Dawg Blawg, or whatever they call it, and I came across this:

"6. UCLA...A 3-0 start and a victory at Tennessee gives these guys the benefit of the doubt, but SDSU is terrible and so is KSU. The Bruins struggled against both opponents and if Tennessee hadn't self destructed so terribly they wouldn't have beaten them. Rumors floating out of LA this week indicate that Neu and Chow aren't getting along well."

I don't know the source of this investigative journalism, but has anyone read about dissent between Coach Neu and Coach Chow? 

Personally, I can care less about their perception of us as the 6th best team in the Pac-10, but I would like to know where these "rumors" came from.

Hey everyone, I've been reading this blog for a while but haven't posted yet.  I've been an avid Giants fan since I was a youngster back in the late 80's.  Will Clark is still my hero.

Does anyone have an update on international players?  I know the signing period has opened and I hoped the Giants would pick up a prospect or two.

Since I have yet to meet my 75 word minimum, I'll part with this; the Giants should practice some patience this season.  Although a rotation with Lincecum, Cain, and (hopefully) Johnson could win any series, the team really is a year or maybe two away from being serious contenders.  I'm all for making a run at the wild card, but I would rather see the team make a title run in the near future.

In reading the recent headlines about Westbrook, KLove, and Mbah a Moute, I began to think about their single commonality; CBH.

I've always thought that a coach's success is not merely measured by wins and losses, but how much he contributes to his player's lives.  Although I wasn't born until after Coach Wooden retired, I have always had admiration for a man that helped build a foundation for so many of his players.

Unfortunately, I was a Bruin during the Lavin era.  Not only did he always appear to be a slimeball- although, he was a very kind person when I met him - he did not ever seem to help his players grow.  The players that went to the NBA from his program were there on pure talent alone.  Kapono and Gadzuric actually got worse as their careers progressed under his coaching. 

CBH has now put a few players in the NBA.  With the exception of KLove, I don't believe any of them were surefire NBA players based on their talent alone.  Farmer and Afflalo were definitely talented, but CBH's tutelage clearly helped them along.  Westbrook and Mbah a Moute would not likely be making a living in the NBA if it weren't for CBH.

On top of the athletic success, CBH has helped build men who are good people.  I can't name a single player that CBH recruited that doesn't appear to be a stand up individual, yet have not sacrificed an ounce of competitiveness.  Name another program that can say that.

As much as I would love to see UCLA hanging another banner, I'm proud to have a coach as successful as our CBH is, with or without the banner.