SB Nation User Blog: theREAL_LOGAN5

By the pricking of my thumbs...

theREAL_LOGAN5 — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 19:34:18 -0000

Only in Westwood would losing two of the top freshman anywhere in the land register on the scale of "wicked", but I'm sitting here wrapping up the week's work bracing myself for the inevitability of a certain press conference that is sure to leave me shaking my head in just under an hour.

No quotes, citations or references in this post. Just one, long time member of the Bruin family wondering, "If Kevin Love, bolts after one partially successful (by Bruin standards) season, then there is simply no hope or future for building college basketball programs anywhere in the nation."

Now granted, like the short debate I just got into with a family member about a bunch of underachieving scholarship football players ditching class, I speak from a position of relative ignorance. I didn't rush, I didn't walk-on, I didn't run for student government. In fact, as social a creature as I was (and am), I didn't hang out much on campus. I didn't have time. For me, it was pretty much all business: I transferred in, took the 560 to and from the Valley, worked my ass off and did what the f*** I had to do (both then and now) to get the job done and uphold what's become family rite: Being a Bruin.

My campus experience was truncated and evidently much less cathartic than most. I grew up never more than 20-miles removed and a couple weeks between visits to UCLA. Thanks to my dad and bro, I always considered being on campus as being home. Years later, I take my little ones there so they can develop that same excited connection to Campus as was ingrained in me.

I mention all this because as I sit here waiting to hear our boy Kevin Love say he wants what's behind curtain #2, I can't help but wonder WHY. WHY??? Then of course, right afterward, I feel more than a little silly -- like a kid talking about life in America before he was even born:

I ain't 19 and I ain't 6'8" staring $6.5M in the face. I know all that.

But what I don't know is, past the great regular season, the conference championship and a third run to the Final Four, what the hell did we just get out of hosting this (and the other) freshman's' time at the school? And, if a kid who (1) doesn't "need" the money, (2) comes from a smart, stable background (3) didn't do what most every every athlete at UCLA strives for (win a NC) and (4) whose stock WILL ONLY RISE next season with the incoming class doesn't stay.. then why would ANY athlete who comes to this or any other university EVER stay past his/her freshman year once he/she gets the benefit of a few dozen press write ups and awards?

The answer is NONE unless somebody does something to up the ante for incoming athletes and their parents (like say a 2-year commitment or a new NBA age limit), because as college basketball fans, it has become painfully evident that we truly have nothing sustainable to look forward to year in and year out with regard to our schools, their teams and the insatiable and destructive draw that professional organizations like the NBA now represent. Hell, you'd think with all the recent flops of underdeveloped talent guys like Stern have seen and written off (in the $100's of M), they'd WANT recruits with a bit more seasoning than 2-3 years of towering over kids who weren't going any further themselves?!?

In short, something has to change before the heart of the sport is totally ripped out of it. And while I've never been one to even think of lobbying the immovable blue bloods of the NCAA for anything beyond mandating their athletes get a decent shot at an education, I believe in my heart that this whole thing needs to change.

At some point, an element of stability must be introduced into the system so that the department, the program, the roster and most importantly the instructor (coach) maintains the ability to impart the knowledge, training and experience he/she's been chartered to impart to his/her students... and we just won't get there like this.

I for one am totally against Love (and RW and the others) leaving this early, especially when his (their) risks/returns next season and beyond are all to the upside. But like I said, I didn't get that full ride; My mom wrote checks. I didn't get to ride on the team plane; I took the bus. So obviously, my views are tainted (if not a tad morbid) and I may not have the slightest clue what these kids and their families are dealing with.

Either way, Nestor, by the time today's done, I will undoubtedly owe you that drink we talked about. Alas, I prayed and figured against all hope and logic that it wouldn't come to this.

But it has.

Anyway, we'll always love you guys (Kevin, RW, et. al.).

Respect,

Xavier's Miller: "The thing that amazes me is they don't foul."

theREAL_LOGAN5 — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 01:20:13 -0000

Bumped. GO BRUINS. -N

Here are some great and very telling Ben Ball insights and analysis courtesy of Xavier head coach Sean Miller and L.A. Times' Rich Perelman. BTW, is it fair to say at this point in the season that Perelman 'gets' it? I wonder.

So later this week, when all the loose talk and mediaspeak gets going again about UCLA's "tough" / "stout" / "stingy" / "smothering" (insert superlative) defense, it's easy to come away with a one-dimensional picture of what Ben Howland's UCLA Bruins have done/are doing to their opponents - especially in the one-and-done climate this time of year brings.

Listen to Sean Miller give his closing perspectives on Saturday's game vs. UCLA:

"The thing that amazes me about UCLA's defense is they don't foul. I mean, they are physical, they blitz and trap every pick and roll you set, they trap the low post, they pressure the ball, they sometimes have four players on the court who are 6-7 or taller and they don't foul. I'm telling you, if you play as hard as they do and have the size that they do and the strategy and that offensive team can't put fouls on them, it's really, really hard to score."

Right? It's easy to to just SAY "UCLA's defense is tough", but hard to understand what that really means without getting a visual. It's harder still to comprehend the alternating layers of plate steel, rebarb and concrete Ben Howland rivets, wraps and pours between the ball and the opposing rim without having actually played against the Man.

Some can see it with a jog-wheel, a few even claim to be coaching it right now. Personally, I coach at the youth level and have ground the heads and platters of my PVR into metal filings just trying to get a glimpse of Howland's deadly nuances and adjustments and most if it STILL eludes and blows the mind.

But before you take that next swig and/or move on to the other facets of the game in prep for Memphis_II this week -- before you're forced to rebut all the doubting, bracket-toting co-workers and critics whose "buts" will surely be used to make more cases about why we won't beat them this year (forget about Gonzaga, LSU, Memphis_I, Kansas, Indiana, et. al.), please read (and then re-read) these telling excerpts from Sean Miller:

"It will be interesting in San Antonio as the best of the best goes there...[for example,] transition defense, [UCLA] fl[ies] back in transition defense... if you set a ball screen, that 6-9, 270-pound player stops, runs dead opposite to half court and blitzes the ball screen, turns, runs full speed to the hoop and a lot of action is happening and they don't foul.

Wow.

So even if you do have that Howland encounter, it's another thing entirely to muddle through a postmortem and try to make heads or tails out of the scorch and scraps he generally leaves behind. Mostly it seems, Howland's defensive construct is a mathematical impasse that brings the otherwise 'weak' forces of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th dimensions into influence over your game plan. I mean, it must be be some alternate hoops universe that drastically alters the normal behavior of his opponents, because everyone that experiences it knows what they saw (or didn't see) but strangely and predictably swears it was something they did, or didn't do, or couldn't or wouldn't or shouldn't have done to themselves that ultimately brought about the failure.

In fact, the place Howland's Bruins play their game must be a point in space that is either near to or right inside of a black hole; it atomizes your play book, stops time, silences your fans and turns your beaming and once composed starters into flaccid, drooping spaghetti men (oooh, is that why they call it "ugly" dad?) -- or so the footage I have archived will testify to.

Maybe it's that complex, maybe not. Obviously, though, we've got something other teams don't and vaunted squads like the ones we face this week (with the exception Florida) have rather consistently found Howland's sorcery no easier to contend with the second time around than the first.

Indeed, Ben Howland's Special Pressure Soup Mix is a whole order of magnitude harder to detect, sample, hash out, solve, digest and survive than almost any of his peers... and I don't see old Billy Dynoplugs or any of the previous years' tourney mainstays around anywhere to contest the point.

More Sean Miller:

UCLA's defense is obviously outstanding. The team that cracks it will probably be hitting on all cylinders and I would be curious to see if they can put four more fouls on UCLA and get to the foul line more themselves and to me, that's the key against playing their defense because the things that they are able to do without fouling are against all odds."

Yeah, I heard that. But I tell you what I don't want to hear is another group of frustrated players walking off the court muttering about "having a bad game" or how they "didn't execute" or that "the shots wouldn't fall" or whatever other meaningless hoop-concessions these dudes offer after they lose to UCLA.

No sir. The best college basketball coach in America just GAVE you that bad game, but you're welcome anyway.

That said, I am good and ready for Calipari and Memphis. I got my five.

Naismith: Show some K-Love

theREAL_LOGAN5 — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 20:10:50 -0000

This has undoubtedly been covered on BN before today (no time for research), but I just got a call from a relative that reminded me to pass on an important PR point: For those familiar with text messages and how to fire one off from a mobile phone, let's throw all the Bruin weight we can behind K-Love with plenty of fan votes for his Naismith Trophy run.

Just text the word "VOTE" to 87654 then follow the reply-prompts from there.

For those unfamilar with the Naismith Award, it is considered one of one of the most prestigious trophies in college and high school basketball.

The most prestigious trophy in college and high school basketball, the Naismith was first awarded to the men's college basketball player of the year in 1969 (Lew Alcindor, UCLA). (emphasis mine)

I just watched Greg Gumbel's (CBS) coverage on the awards and our boy Love's competition is indeed formidable.

ESPN reports on the other 2008 Naismith finalists, which include:

First-year players Michael Beasley of Kansas State and Kevin Love of UCLA were named finalists for the Naismith Men's College Player of the Year Award on Sunday. They were joined by juniors Chris Douglas-Roberts of Memphis and Tyler Hansbrough of North Carolina.

Obviously, this would be huge win for everyone in Westwood because, as the Naismith people put it:

Only one freshman has ever won the Naismith Trophy (Kevin Durant, Texas, 2007).

And on that point, for what it's worth (a lot heading into the regional finals, if you ask me), Kevin Love is the only remaining freshman finalist whose team is STILL IN THE TITLE HUNT, a tribute not only to Love and the UCLA Bruins, but also to the superior basketball philosopy now in place under Ben Howland, the best college basketball coach in America.

GO BRUIN BLUE.

Neuheisel Brings the Lumber

theREAL_LOGAN5 — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 00:37:50 -0000

The other night, before the whole Belotti tease reared it's [pretty] head, I had Dream: That in the end, it was Rick. And that, aside from all our initial reservations, He really was The One.

Half depressed about going into YET another weekend with nothing but rumors, tidbits and teases to talk over beers, I re-read T.J. Simers piece about the Belotti talks and found this impressive bit of cheer:

As for Neuheisel... he made a power-point presentation to [Gene] Block, brought along a former UCLA fraternity brother who is a big UCLA donor, and promised to have the donor pay for the salaries of DeWayne Walker and Norm Chow, who would be his coordinators. (emphasis mine)

Dang! Sounds like Skippy came correct!! Along with (hopefully) laying it all on the table regarding his complicated past, I'm sure that part got their attention. It sure got mine.

Buutt Wait! There's more! Simers throws some warm water into Rick's kitchen sink, adding:

[Neuheisel] also promised to deliver $4 million from donors to help with the Pauley Pavilion redo.
(emphasis mine)

Seriously... wow, man. I don't know about the rest here on BN, but I think between DG's apparent Hail-Marys and Rick's Big Talk, it sounds like we might just have us One HELLUVA Backup Plan.

On a personal note, more and more, I find myself pulling for you, Rick. The dream was vivid, but real and grounded in reality. It wasn't some fantasy either; there was A LOT of work to do, but you were more than up to the task.

Anyway, that morning I woke up with a strong feeling that this truly was your job to lose. I can't see the whole picture just yet, but after everything we've been through I suddenly feel at home with the idea of you coming home.

Bring in the Clowns

theREAL_LOGAN5 — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 00:26:44 -0000

From the diaries. GO BRUINS. -N

With no new news on the UCLA coaching front for Bruin Fans to head into their weekends with, BruinsNation brings you... Courtesy Chats? Media Fluff? Pure Desperation? Administrative Diversions?

At this point, WHO knows WHAT for certain, but I can betcha Brian "Bart" Dohn ain't got the slightest f$^%*#g clue. Anyway, Let the Games Begin...

~~LA Times~~DN's Brian Dohn (recently assigned the handle, "Doh!" by BruinsNation bloggers) reports that an entire cast of B and C-list coaching candidates are set to receive their "interviews" by UCLA officials this weekend.

UCLA will interview former Rose Bowl-winning quarterback Rick Neuheisel and Philadelphia Eagles assistant John Harbaugh, the brother of Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh, sources outside the athletic department said Thursday.

The story was picked up on a Fox Sports' "Rumors and Notes" page late Friday but, considering the one and only source to this point (Doh! has been repeatedly called out on his inaccurate and uninformed beat columns, especially where coverage of UCLA Athletics has been concerned), we should be extremely skeptical about the story's merit.

Given the well-deserved professional raking Doh! has received herein, a wise man might well assume Doh!'s story is merely a ragged side of beef thrown to the hungry invertebrates lurking in the frigid, understocked waters of BN.

Now, the better part of me wanted to look past the whole, rusty beartrap--- that is until I choked up on this (presumably about Rick Neuheisel) jagged little bit:

"He would be the perfect guy," said a former UCLA player, who requested anonymity. "He would love to go against (USC coach) Pete Carroll. He would be the charismatic guy UCLA needs. He would definitely give the program energy." "Awww man see?? Now who the f*** said that? TAYLOR? Nah. VAN? Ehhh. BRUCE??? BRUCE!! Hey, yeah man, look I love you and all, but DAMN!! SHUT! UP!!! Were you even born when Rick was here? SHHHH!!!!

Then Doh! tosses in a little "bet this'll drive them nuts on BruinsNation" sauce -- just for good measure, of course.

Harbaugh, 45, is the secondary coach in Philadelphia. He does not have head coaching experience, but comes from impressive bloodlines. Immmpressive bloodlines! As if a stiff like Brian f'n Doh! could even sit in the same room as someone well trained enough to decode human genes without passing out from confusion. You set it up real nice with that one, B-- Doh!!!

"Then!", said Brian, "Just a sprinkle of doubt, just to throw 'em off the trail."

It was uncertain when Harbaugh's interview would take place. The Eagles play at Dallas on Sunday, and Bruins athletic director Dan Guerrero will be in Kansas City this weekend to interview Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow. Summing the whole thing up, a buddy of mine had this to say in a late-day email. "...time to start doing your magic with those emails to Dan G and those blogs because the rumor section of FOX Sports has crooked ass Rick N being interviewed along with Jim Harbaugh's brother who is a [weak] ass assistant for the Eagles... should have just kept Karl if we were looking for f*cked up OC’s in the NFL and their assistants." ..really says it all.

But I will add this: If this is really what's going down right now... if there is even one shred of truth to the piece abut Harbaugh--- or who was it? His little brother?!?!? Sound General Quarters: Shallow waters ahead.

"DOGPILE ON.." BN?

theREAL_LOGAN5 — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 23:56:15 -0000

A couple posts back, Nestor brought up a hugely important tidbit that needs be recognized, rehashed and respected on this great blog:

In the silent, sterile and hermetically sealed vacuum that is Morgan Center's Football coaching (ahem) "search", BruinsNation.com is one of the only credible sources of fresh information (speculation?) and dialog about our football program and the soap opera that is playing out in the main stream media... Not to mention a favorite bookmark (homepage?) of more than a few influential personalities attached to our cause. With all we've been through and with all that is at stake, we are indeed in a precarious position... a fact that should remind everyone here -- newcomers and vets alike -- how important it is to keep it real, keep it factual and Keep It Sane.

Google-News anything "UCLA" and you're bound to see it for yourself; BruinsNation posts, not 10-minutes old are getting crawled and ranked at the tip-top spot on the world's most popular search engine -- often outstripping the major media outlets' "news" releases, op-ed pieces, updates, stories and reporter posts by 2:1 (at worst).

With millions of eyes focused on UCLA's next move in Football, the opinions, analysis and viewpoints put forth here are -- if nothing else -- being seen, read and integrated into the larger debate at UCLA as well as the annual spectacle that is the college coaching carousel.

All the work that went into monitoring, documenting, debating and forming a consensus movement to end the divisive tenure of Karl Dorrell is not done. Many names have been floated, many theories offered, explanations proferred, tested and debated. But now, with a total lack of information flowing from Morgan Center, there is only one conclusion we can reach:

THEY DON'T WANT US TO KNOW.

Maybe it's because "we" left such a deep and obvious footprint on the Dorrell saga. Maybe because "we" took our support of UCLA Athletics so seriously that we literally moved the earth. Maybe we ought to do everything possible to maintain our composure and thus help Dan Guerrero do what only HE can at this point. Maybe above all else, since [aside from continuing an informed and common-sense debate on the issue] it is all truly out of our hands at this point, RESPECT is the thing we owe most to the patient we helped put on the table. Maybe the very LAST thing we want to do at this point is undermine the work of the Surgeon we hired and credibility we've earned up to this point by ripping everything to shreds just before sunrise.

Admittedly, it feels like we're being treated like children; like the same level of irreverence our government displays for The People in matters of national security. Well, whatever the case, after 9-days in isolation, the level of available oxygen remaining in our little room here has run dangerously low and is quite clearly going to some peoples' heads.

The same open and heated debate that we had leading up to this juncture is now causing us to eat our own. Veteran posters/moderators now seem to be out for blood, turning what should be a good, viable debate about the many who's, hows and what-if scenarios into more of a group-think session where everyone is expected to either conform, shut up and/or make speed; all while the Nation sits doing time and Joe Public reads on in amusement.

As the initial positions taken by UCLA's Athletic Department (candidate prerequisites, time frame, "getting it right", etc.) suggest, the level of influence an organized and informed supporter forum like this possesses is formidable, to say the very least. UCLA Alumni, fans and supporters can (and should) be heard and respected at PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS such as this one, which is all the more reason to INVITE and RESPECT opinions and debate on the controversy -- not assault people who may have different - albeit irritating - takes on what is a Big Deal for All of Us.

The fact is (ok, it's not a fact), NO ONE here knows who the next coach will be, whether he (or she!) will have that right mix of talent, character and effectiveness to get us to the next level and ultimately where or how far that Coach will end up taking us. All we can really feel good about at this point is that we definitely had a hand in doing what has traditionally been the HARDEST thing to do at UCLA: Affect Change.

The minute the dialog turns one-sided, the moment people lose the will to speak candidly for fear of attack or ridicule or being silenced, the SECOND those imbecilic (see there I go!), Administration bureaucrats can dial us up and point to these posts as proof that decisions as important as this one must not be left to the masses -- we accomplish self-annihilation.

From here, even with "all" the facts, figures, averages, projections, opinions, analysis and rebuttals at our disposal, the only thing we truly "know" is WHAT WE THINK WE KNOW, and that doesn't amount to much.

Cannibalizing otherwise decent, well-meaning fans for what mostly amounts to honest dissent only hurts the cause.

Take it easy, Bruins.

A Word to UCLA Football Commits...

theREAL_LOGAN5 — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 00:43:26 -0000

With the recent change of leadership in UCLA's Football Program, all that any prospective UCLA student-athlete needs to know is this:

"When it comes to NCAA competition, the University of California, Los Angeles is 100% COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE." If the dismissal of Karl Dorrell should signify anything for incoming student-athletes and their parents, it's that UCLA's quest for superior coaching talent is a clear and unmistakable sign of that Commitment."

Even before Monday's press conference, there was the talk: Talk of what possible damage firing one of (what some consider anyway) UCLA's most prolific recruiter/coaches in recent history might mean for the incoming class; talk of the dozens of high-school recruits whose current verbal and national commitment letters might seem to carry a slightly lesser value.

Well talk, as they always say is truly cheap.

See, if UCLA was a school that just "talked" about winning national championships, we wouldn't be the first and only University with One Hundred NCAA Championships... right? Right.

If the Bruins of Westwood were "all talk" when the time arrived to dig deep and restore The Most Successful College Basketball Program in America to its proper place on the national stage, our coach's name wouldn't be Ben Howland... would it?

If Athletic Director Dan Guerrero was a man who just "talked" about excellence in football, "talked" about winning PAC-10 Championships, "talked" about playing in BCS Bowl Games and "talked" about regularly contending for National Championships, fact is, our football coach would still be named Karl Dorrell.

And, if UCLA was an institution that just "talked" about offering one of the most enriching and sought-after university experiences on Planet Earth but couldn't actually OFFER IT, our Admissions Office wouldn't be flooded with over 50,000 applications a quarter... now would it?

So, to the hundreds of young, talented and truly LUCKY student-athletes who will soon have the privilege of calling the UCLA campus home -- we say:

"Welcome aboard. Big Things are Bruin."

What's done..

theREAL_LOGAN5 — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 21:47:53 -0000

is DONE.

Continuing a week of healing and rebuilding on campus, the LAT reports that former (say it with me... ffffforr-- sorry) UCLA Football head coach Karl Dorrell has elected not to lead the Bruins in their December rematch vs. Brigham Young in the 2007 Pioneer Vision Las Vegas bowl... opening the door for defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker's head coaching debut.

When he fired Dorrell on Monday, athletic director Dan Guerrero said he would let him decide whether he wanted to coach the Bruins' last game of the year, Dec. 22 against BYU.

Dorrell said Tuesday he thinks it is in the team's best interest if he doesn't show up. He says he doesn't want to take any attention away from his former players.

That's doing it right. Hopefully, with a slate of other, very well qualified coaches on the interview docket, this should be a fun (if not fairly interesting) game for Bruin fans as Walker takes his turn at the helm.

Hopefully, I speak for everyone in the Bruin family when I say, "Good luck, Coach."

Lullaby for the Lamb

theREAL_LOGAN5 — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 00:28:47 -0000

Bumped from the diaries. GO BRUINS. -N

With the potential dawning of Osaar Rasshan, some in the MSM are pondering whether the kid can save Karl Dorrell's job. Anyone taking a serious look at the virtually non-competitive state of UCLA Football, however, knows that the Seventh Seal has already been opened...

Well here's something CTS can print out and curl up with tonight. The Daily News Paul Oberjuerge offers some -- ahem -- hope to Dorrell and his two or three remaining supporters...

"The kid who couldn't escape the lower reaches of the depth chart at either of two positions ...needs to help UCLA engineer an upset of the ninth-ranked Sun Devils to keep Karl Dorrell & Co. from edging even closer to joblessness."

Sorry Paul, I know getting paid to write for a "major" paper doesn't afford you the latitude to write about the REAL truth behind modern social issues but, so as long as you don't mind a hack Bruin blogger walking a mile in those soggy brown loafers of yours, ALLOW ME:

See, this article should have been about how -- whether or not Osaar Rasshan is able to lead UCLA to victory (or a complete turnaround) during the balance of the season, it shouldn't be enough to save his stubborn and ultimately unqualified head coach from his own dogmatic pattern of self-destruction.

This way, fans who are desperately in favor of salvaging some dignity for UCLA Football this season have a way to FULLY support their team (the athletes) and look forward to the End of the Karl Dorrell era. Hell, Oberjuerge, if you could just manage to give us ONE of those things, we might even find a way to take your lousy Sports section on Sundays!

"And here he is. Starting. At quarterback. In a game that could determine his coach's job status - as well as keep alive the Bruins' chances at a Pac-10 championship and Rose Bowl berth."

Come on, Paul... please be nice. Don't tease the animals. We are a desperate, hungry lot by now and we do tend to BITE.

Dorrell said the offense will be simplified for Rasshan, who has had just two practices as the No. 1 quarterback. "It shrinks down," Dorrell said of the playbook. "You can't give him as much information as if you had an experienced player there."

Now... what's the chance that three guys like Dennis Erickson, Mike Belotti and Pete Carrol are gonna let themselves finish behind a dude who just realized the desperate need to throw his worthless, 100-lb play book overboard? Alas, UCLA and a January Rose Bowl date are about as distant as the galaxies. Your fuzzy-math is just not appreciated.

Anyway, let's get to it:

The First Directive for any football head coach (especially one paid $1M+/year from the State Treasury) is - at the VERY least - to get the Right People on the field at the Right Positions at the Right Time. These things come even before play calling, which we'll get to later.

This article should have helped elucidate the issue that, 3-wins or not, the gross negligence and misuse of Osaar Rashaan's many talents and the public scholarship monies that brought them to UCLA in the first place, should spell an even surer demise for Karl Dorrell.

Bottom line is if Rasshan DOES deliver, it will only underscore Coach Dorrell's incompetence. In the event affairs do turn north for UCLA, supporters should ask ONLY why Rasshan wasn't the automatic #2 behind Ben Olsen vs. Notre Dame last month and WHY he wasn't THE definite #3 behind Cowan before that.

Well in case you missed it, he wasn't... and going into that fateful game, Rasshan didn't take a single f***ing SNAP in practice the week leading up to the Weiss visit. So, injury-prone Olsen goes into one of the highest profile games of the DECADE for UCLA with no one backing him up save a shivering, 4th string, walk-on law student.

But it didn't end there.

Nooooo! Karl Dorrell worked HARD on this loss. On top of throwing in a kid who just got fitted for his uniform, Dorr-Vell (the namesake of the tragically inept offensive duo of Karl Dorrell & Jay Norvell) compounded what was already a total cluster-f*ck by putting in more pass plays than had been called for both the UCLA starter and back up QB's COMBINED... All while Rasshan languished and an entire corps of running backs looked on in disgust.

No, I'm afraid the last thing Osaar Rasshan can do at this point is "save Karl Dorrell". In all respects, that should be an impossibility.

All Rasshan can do is HURT Dorrell by showing what an incomprehensibly immense waste of Time, Talent and Resources he has been for UCLA as a whole. Which may be the true reason why Rasshan's been buried like a State Secret for nearly three seasons.

The Exorcism: Foster/LA Times get out ahead of the carnage

theREAL_LOGAN5 — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 03:02:54 -0000

Writing in his late night journal, the LA Times's Chris Foster bucks up and tells it like it is. Earth to Brian [Dohn], Earth to JJ [Adande]... do you read?

[the priest enters, steeling himself against the horrid sights and sounds of the ugliest football in town]

No Bowl Championship Series game. We knew that. Now no Pacific 10 Conference championship or Rose Bowl game, either. That's all but a lock.

"Ehhh-heggghhhhh... LICK ME! LICK ME!"

After Arizona's 34-27 win over UCLA here Saturday, there might not be any bowl game at all for the Bruins. UCLA has five wins this season, needs six to be bowl eligible, and has left on its schedule Arizona State, Oregon and USC.

"The power of Christ compels you!! [throws holy water on the demon]

...the grip Karl Dorrell had on his job as UCLA football coach... loosened considerably as the Bruins (5-4, 4-2 in Pac-10 play) lost their second in a row to a second-tier conference opponent and were defeated for the fourth time this season by a team with a losing record.

"Ahahhgggghhhh!! It BURNS!! IT BUURRNNSS!!!"

--------------------

...and [by December], the truth shall set you free.