Well, first, this post is not for those with even an inkling of ADD. It’s pretty long and has a lot of fine print so to speak.

I was inspired to investigate what coaches can and cannot do with regard to players by this whole Josh being out shape and who’s table does it fall on situation. Someone posted some cursory thoughts about what coaches could do, which got me thinking that, as I posted in reply, I simply do not know the ins and outs of how much a coach can control. Someone else suggested that, well, yes, now I do know because of the intriguing, but rather superficial post about just what coaches, basketball in particular, can do with their players throughout any particular calendar year.

When I found the NCAA rule handbook and began reading, I found that no, I didn’t know much at all. It was then that I remembered a saying by someone dear to us all… It’s what you learn after you think you know it all that really counts.

So, here is my attempt at a clear and flowing review of the NCAA rules as they pertain to basketball players, coaches and the interactions allowed between them.

We all know the NCAA puts a priority on the student athlete, operative word being student. So, they place limitations on what can be asked of them. We also know the NCAA seems to want a level playing field among institutions, so there are rules that account for the differences among schools as to their class schedules.

Some of the rules are simple and easy to understand, others far from it leaving room for interpretation, at least to me. Addressed are items such as ‘preseason’, ‘playing season’, ‘countable athletically related activities’, ‘voluntary athletically related activities’ and ‘weekly hour limitations’.

Well, let’s get to it…

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What is your thought?

I was a student when it ended for UCLA. In fact, it was on my birthday that year that the 88 became history. Bittersweet!

Did you know that Notre Dame figured prominently in this streak, more than once?

They were the team to whom we lost prior to the start of the streak and the team to whom we lost to end the streak. Do you know what other milestone they played a role in?

And, as a side note, I believe UCLA only lost a handful of games my entire tenure there ('71/72 - 74/75). Ah, those were the days. McDonalds burgers for games we scored over a hundred.

Anyway, UConn is looking like they will easily surpass the 88, maybe even go to 100 this season. Does it compare? How? Better or not as impressive? Should we really care?

For me, it is a different era. Kinda like trying to compare fighters like Ali vs Sugar Ray Robison.

No one can take away my UCLA streak or Ali. Two of a kind. Each the greatest.

Someone posted about being jealous of Boise State. It made me think about the upstarts in the top 5, 10 even 25. I wondered how programs located in such northern states could develop such good football programs. Then I came across this article today, although it was written a few days ago.

It presented some interesting points about recruiting and how top prospects are getting spread across the nation, north, south, east and west.

The teams benefitting...

Auburn, Oregon, Boise State, Texas Christian, Michigan State, Missouri, Utah and Wisconsin are all part of a new money rush toward the top.

Top recruits. 5 star level players, aren't going to traditional powerhouses...

What once would’ve been a shocking decision – a coveted, elite quarterback turning down the big powers – is now commonplace.

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Kinda liking the pistol/revolver lately. Just yesterday I watched some of the Nevada/Cal game (replay on ESPN online) and was amazed at how easily Nevada was able to move the ball. I noticed that their passing game was working and was thinking of how our recruit Hundley looked a lot like the Nevada QB with his deliberate throwing motion. Anyway, it got me thinking about the future.

Now, don't we have better athletes than Nevada? Shouldn't we be able to run the pistol/revolver more effectively? (someday?) We have only had three games with this new system which should mean we'll get better week by week no matter the opponent (well almost no matter). Against a team like Texas, it may seem more like baptism by fire, but then that's just what they need for the rest of  Pac 10 play.

Also, speaking of Nevada, they have another good test in BYU this week. So, we'll get to see how Mr. Pistol/revolver fares against a good team (BYU) and a great team (Texas).

Based on the success of Nevada, I'm feeling much better about a reasonable season, a win against So Cal and a bright future with our youngsters.

Do you 'spose you could look at any game's box score and figure out the final score?

Well, I can't reconcile the box score to Saturday's final result. Why? Because, most glaringly, two stats (maybe three) stand out. That's the set up, here are the trick questions...

Which team had the better pass completion percentage?

Which team had the higher yards per run average?

Which team had more penalties?

Yes, UCLA was the better passing team 11-21 vs. 11-24. And we had 4.6 yards per run vs 4.3. Penalties were tied at 5 each though statistically we were assessed fewer yards on those 5 penalties.

Also, they only had 130 or more yards in total offense than we did. So how in the (fill-in-the-blank) do these stats result in 35 points for one team and none for the other?

Right, turnovers. I haven't mentioned the turnovers. That category was dominated by UCLA, 2 fumbles lost and 2 interceptions, Stanford none(of either). However, to be fair one INT was basically a punt, and a rather good one at that. The Prince INT at the goal line was a third down and 20 or so play. So, lets say it went incomplete, what next? Ball at the 34, add 17 for a FG attempt and we don't have a very good shot given Forbath's lingering injury situation. OK, we tried one from 50, but those are not chip shots and the strain needed to hit from that distance could aggrevate what was left of the groin problem. And we certainly are not going for it on 4th and 20. The other INT was so late in the game that it was meaningless as to the win/loss.

The worst of the TO's was the take away from Prince by a headsup DB resulting in 7 points.

OK, so where did it all go wrong? Why did we not even get 3 points on the board? I can only conclude that we had some very bad luck in that some of our penalties and dropped passes absolutely killed some encouraging drives (what was it ... Franklin run, Jones run, Harkey drop).

The other possibility is what has been said quite a bit here, we didn't run enough. Think about the stats again. Think about the percentage of runs vs passes for both teams. We were at about 60% whereas Stanford ran 67%. Actually that doesn't sound like a major difference, but somehow the success at running, and running it more, translated into the difference between a sustained drive and a failed drive. Points versus no points.

Can it be concluded that until our passing game gets back to where it was last year, we should run more? Should Bell( the real running threat QB) be utilized even though his playbook is thin at this time? I don't know, I'm not a coach.

How 'bout the defense? Conditioning? Well ,they are certainly getting that on Saturdays. I know, not funny. But hey, Stanford had that Marecic(?) play both ways. That's possibly 120 plays but more likely around 100. That's a whole lot more than the 73 their offense ran off against us. There's one TV shot of one guy pukin' and our whole team is outta shape? Come on. I don't believe that, not even close. How do we even know he was pukin? Maybe he just gagged a bit and had to let it go. I tell ya, if that was me, I'd be embarressed to heave that little bit of spit and call it a puke. Face it, we are just not that good against the run. And obviously, the more plays the opposition gets to run (because of our lack of offense), the more points they are going to score.

By the way, did anyone notice any pass tackles by Rahim? Any breakups? I didn't. Maybe that's because they remember his stats from last year. I wonder if they even threw his way all game. Maybe some of those overthrows by Luck. Go Rahim.

By the way, I noticed many here were upset at the time-of-possession over the last two games. Here's another stat that can be misleading. The difference between the games was only a few minutes, and the total offensive plays by the opposing teams was 71(KSU) and 73(Stanford) but what stands out is that we ran off 9 fewer plays this past Saturday. Did we seem more gassed than at KSU? Should have been, but what do I know, I'm not a ...

One thing I do know. I know CRN and CNC know a whole more about this game, and this team, than I do and I am going to trust that they are making the best decisions regarding who plays, what plays are called and so forth.

Let me finish with the idea that what they see during practice is just not translating to game day and that they are as frustrated as we are, maybe more so because they see the boys day after day. Maybe they will start (out of necessity) to experiment with other personnel and find the potent combo. Maybe they will stay with the current lineup feeling that when these guys gel, they will turn some heads. I guess we'll see Saturday.

I've been trying to get permission to post an article from my local newspaper and it just today got, well, 'kinda' resolved. I cannot link the entire story since the paper's online policy is to have viewers pay to access content. So, here's the compromise... I can post what the editor emailed me, but you will have to pay (he said about $1.00) to see the rest which I will summarize later.

First the allowed portion of the article:

Hollywood produced the movie "Rudy." UCLA may have the sequel: "Justin."

While the stories vary, the plot remains the same: Fulfilling a gridiron dream in the face of overwhelming adversity.

Rudy Ruettiger played only two plays for Notre Dame in 1975 - his only year on the team after struggling for more than three years, academically, to get into the school. On his second play in the only contest he ever played for the Irish, Ruettiger sacked Georgia Tech quarterback Rudy Allen on the game's final play - prompting his teammates to carry him off the field - a first in the history of Golden Domer football.

Justin Fareed would like to get into a Bruins' game this season, even if it's just for one play.

As a senior, Fareed is back where he wants to be - back in a place he had said goodbye to for good in 2008: UCLA's practice field.

"It was a dream of mine to come here and play football ever since I was a little kid," Fareed said. "Unfortunately my career was cut short because of an injury, but so many different things came together to bring me back out here onto the field."

my summary and link after jump...

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Michael Young is the designated Honorary Captain for the Stanford game. OK, so what's with the "and me"  you say?

Well, I went to high school with his brother (same class) and knew Michael as he was growing up. I like to think I had a part in his developing his receiver separation skills since the brother and I would chase Michael around the yard with intent to torture him if we caught him. You know, like an older brother and his friends will do at that age.

I have to admit that it did take longer to catch Michael than it did others his age!