The game is at USC's home field and I'll not be trying to fetch the tickets.
The listed price at Stubhub ranges from $109 to $1200.
No one expected UCLA to win last year and last year's team was healthy!
This years team has been a MASH unit.
The latest news is that Olson who came in for the 2nd half of last weeks game has had knee trouble again. As such Cowan who has had knee trouble and is recovering from a collapsed lung has been taking the bulk of the snaps at practice. Rassan who started last weeks game but was pulled after going 0-7 passing with 1 int is the backup.
The LAT is running daily articles about the past rivalry games. Saw this one today.
Excerpt:
The year was 1992 and the Bruins had run through pretty much all of their quarterbacks, losing Wayne Cook, Rob Walker and Ryan Fien to injury. They were down to a fourth-string senior.
"He wasn't even on the team the previous year," Dellins said. "Coach [Terry] Donahue let him walk on."
Barnes responded with a magical night against the Trojans, throwing for 385 yards and three touchdowns. When 15th-ranked USC failed on a two-point conversion with less than a minute remaining, UCLA had a 38-37 upset victory.
Dellins loved that a no-name could, in the course of a few hours, become a star. He also liked the way Barnes responded afterward. The quarterback, known to live in a realm of his own, did not consider his Cinderella performance a big deal.
Interviewed on television after the game, he was asked what might have happened if USC had taken the lead on that conversion.
"Well," he responded plainly, "we'd have gone down the field and scored again."
---
On the current UCLA team, the 4th string QB would be McLeod Bethel-Thompson. The walk-on QB played in the dismal loss to Notre Dame after Olson got hurt. The Fighting Irish decided to stack the line to stop the running game and blitz like crazy. The result, the shell-shocked Bethel-Thompson got sacked 4 times and threw 4 interceptions.
Can history repeat itself with a surprising victory on the arm of a 4th string QB?
Go Bruins!
Politics: Political conservatives and liberals
There are stereotypes for both groups.
As I see it, most liberals and conservatives want the same things: keep the kids and the people safe, cure cancer and have world peace and various other good things. Who could be against such things!?
The question is how do we get there and what is the role of government?
As a general rule, liberals want more government and conservatives less government.
So for instance on economic matters: more or less regulation of the free market economy? Regulation requires government.
Of the various government programs regarding social welfare: is this program better run by the government or by a for profit business or non-profit organizations? And if government needs to be involved which level (federal, state or local) is better suited to run it?
National defense is where there can be blurring of lines. There are 9/11 democrats. As a matter of history, the Democrats in the distant past were pro-national defense. Ironically, it was the Republicans who needed Eisenhower to save the party from its isolationist wing. And it was Democrat, John Kennedy who ran on the "missile gap" saying the USA was falling behind in developing ICBMs. His inaugural address included the line:
With the 2008 elections coming soon, I'll probably blog more political stuff but this will not be a hard core political site. There are plenty of those. Instead, I'll just occasionally give my analysis or jump on my soap box. All in all, this site aims to be the "kinder and gentler" political comment site when I wade into that realm.
The first thing I should do is state where I come from politically: I'm center-right with some libertarian leanings. I'm influenced by some of the social justice thoughts within Christian ethics but I tend to think the government is not always the best vehicle to help make progress on that front.
So what does that make me?
To the liberals, I'm a heartless conservative. To the conservatives, I'm a squishy bleeding heart.
As I see it, most liberals and conservatives want the same things: keep the kids and the people safe, cure cancer and have world peace and various other good things. Who could be against such things!?
The question is how do we get there and what is the role of government?
As a general rule, liberals want more government and conservatives less government.
So for instance on economic matters: more or less regulation of the free market economy? Regulation requires government.
Of the various government programs regarding social welfare: is this program better run by the government or by a for profit business or non-profit organizations? And if government needs to be involved which level (federal, state or local) is better suited to run it?
National defense is where there can be blurring of lines. There are 9/11 democrats. As a matter of history, the Democrats in the distant past were pro-national defense. Ironically, it was the Republicans who needed Eisenhower to save the party from its isolationist wing. And it was Democrat, John Kennedy who ran on the "missile gap" saying the USA was falling behind in developing ICBMs. His inaugural address included the line:
Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty.The roles are more or less reversed these days with the neoconservatives pushing democratization in the world and the Democrats saying leave the rest of the world alone. And on defense matters, the most noted pro-defense Democrat is Joe Lieberman. And he had to leave his party to retain his senate seat! On the GOP side there are non-interventionists like Pat Buchanan and Ron Paul.
With the 2008 elections coming soon, I'll probably blog more political stuff but this will not be a hard core political site. There are plenty of those. Instead, I'll just occasionally give my analysis or jump on my soap box. All in all, this site aims to be the "kinder and gentler" political comment site when I wade into that realm.
The first thing I should do is state where I come from politically: I'm center-right with some libertarian leanings. I'm influenced by some of the social justice thoughts within Christian ethics but I tend to think the government is not always the best vehicle to help make progress on that front.
So what does that make me?
To the liberals, I'm a heartless conservative. To the conservatives, I'm a squishy bleeding heart.
Sports: USC 20 point favorite over UCLA
There you go ... the line opened at 18 1/2 and has risen to 20.
UCLA's QBs: Olson motoring around on a bad knee; Cowen, still with a bad knee and recovering from a collapsed lung and Rassan, can run but can't pass barely familiar with the offense.
UCLA's RBs: Bell, out for the season; Markey, mostly recovered from turf toe; Moline, I don't think he is fully healthy and thus not carrying the ball much and Sheppard, the surprise walk-on having the opportunity of a lifetime.
Won't be surprised if the line rises higher!
Nonetheless, go Bruins!
UCLA's QBs: Olson motoring around on a bad knee; Cowen, still with a bad knee and recovering from a collapsed lung and Rassan, can run but can't pass barely familiar with the offense.
UCLA's RBs: Bell, out for the season; Markey, mostly recovered from turf toe; Moline, I don't think he is fully healthy and thus not carrying the ball much and Sheppard, the surprise walk-on having the opportunity of a lifetime.
Won't be surprised if the line rises higher!
Nonetheless, go Bruins!
Sports: BCS predictions
Hey, that is the fun part about being a blogger!
I can use this platform to express my opinion and you can take it for every cent you are paying for it!
My biases: am a UCLA alum so am a fan of the Pac10. Alas, this year, it doesn't look like the Pac10 is going to get 2 teams into the BCS. Just don't see ASU getting in.
Rose:
USC (pac10) - As a UCLA fan, I would love it if UCLA could knock USC out of the Rose Bowl game but I'd guess USC will be favored by 21 in the annual cross-town game next week. Of course, last year the Bruins weren't expected to win and they knocked USC out of the BCS championship game!
Hawaii (at large, wac) - A huge if is whether the Rainbow Warriors can beat the Washington Huskies. If they do, the Rose Bowl selection committee will see $$$ signs as the Hawaii fans will happily get on a plane to California to root for the Warriors. If Hawaii stumbles, my guess is that the Rose Bowlers will nab Missouri pitting USC's defense against the Tiger's spread offense.
Fiesta:
Oklahoma (big12) - Can the Sooners beat the Tigers twice? I think so!
Boston College (at large, ACC) - no way the Fiesta sets up Oklahoma versus Mizzou, round III.
Sugar:
LSU (sec) - Nice little home game for them!
Mizzou (at large, Big12) - The Sugar organizers are rooting for Hawaii so the Rose Bowl takes them to set up this game. If Hawaii stumbles, the Sugar will call up Illinois.
Orange:
Va Tech (acc) - They should beat BC!
Georgia (at large, SEC) - Right next door, no brainer!
BCS Championship:
Ohio State (big10) - Because everyone else around them gets beat, they slip back into the BCS championship game! Hugh Hewitt would love the wisdom of this forcast! 8-)
West Virginia (big east) - The Big East champs are in. Nobody below them in the BCS can jump over them. Of course, they will lose to Pittsburgh to mess up everything! Hah!!
I can use this platform to express my opinion and you can take it for every cent you are paying for it!
My biases: am a UCLA alum so am a fan of the Pac10. Alas, this year, it doesn't look like the Pac10 is going to get 2 teams into the BCS. Just don't see ASU getting in.
Rose:
USC (pac10) - As a UCLA fan, I would love it if UCLA could knock USC out of the Rose Bowl game but I'd guess USC will be favored by 21 in the annual cross-town game next week. Of course, last year the Bruins weren't expected to win and they knocked USC out of the BCS championship game!
Hawaii (at large, wac) - A huge if is whether the Rainbow Warriors can beat the Washington Huskies. If they do, the Rose Bowl selection committee will see $$$ signs as the Hawaii fans will happily get on a plane to California to root for the Warriors. If Hawaii stumbles, my guess is that the Rose Bowlers will nab Missouri pitting USC's defense against the Tiger's spread offense.
Fiesta:
Oklahoma (big12) - Can the Sooners beat the Tigers twice? I think so!
Boston College (at large, ACC) - no way the Fiesta sets up Oklahoma versus Mizzou, round III.
Sugar:
LSU (sec) - Nice little home game for them!
Mizzou (at large, Big12) - The Sugar organizers are rooting for Hawaii so the Rose Bowl takes them to set up this game. If Hawaii stumbles, the Sugar will call up Illinois.
Orange:
Va Tech (acc) - They should beat BC!
Georgia (at large, SEC) - Right next door, no brainer!
BCS Championship:
Ohio State (big10) - Because everyone else around them gets beat, they slip back into the BCS championship game! Hugh Hewitt would love the wisdom of this forcast! 8-)
West Virginia (big east) - The Big East champs are in. Nobody below them in the BCS can jump over them. Of course, they will lose to Pittsburgh to mess up everything! Hah!!
Devotional Thoughs: Happy Thanksgiving
Psalm 100 in the old style of King James.
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
Thank you Lord, for my voice, though I only sing at church and in my car, I will make a joyful noise to you.
Thank you Lord, for the strength of my body by which for this season I can participate with our youth group.
Thank you Lord, for the church I attend and the church universal, for you are the Great Shepherd who has gathered us to yourself.
Thank you Lord, for the Cross and the Resurrection that opens the gates for us to enter into your presence with confidence.
Thank you Lord, for your Spirit that abides with us and reminds and assures us that we may persevere until we no longer look through a glass darkly.
Amen.
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
Thank you Lord, for my voice, though I only sing at church and in my car, I will make a joyful noise to you.
Thank you Lord, for the strength of my body by which for this season I can participate with our youth group.
Thank you Lord, for the church I attend and the church universal, for you are the Great Shepherd who has gathered us to yourself.
Thank you Lord, for the Cross and the Resurrection that opens the gates for us to enter into your presence with confidence.
Thank you Lord, for your Spirit that abides with us and reminds and assures us that we may persevere until we no longer look through a glass darkly.
Amen.
Sports: UCLA 68 MSU 63
Whoa!
Was listening to the last part of the game on the radio and UCLA was playing catch up.
This was their first game against a ranked opponent and it was a tough one!
Its one thing to be beating up on mid-majors on your home court. Its another thing to be facing one of the top teams from a power conference on a neutral site!
Anyway, I figured they might suffer a narrow loss given the team isn't at full strength missing several key players due to injuries. It would be a good tough loss that would build the character of the team for the grind of the season.
Was listening to the last part of the game on the radio and UCLA was playing catch up.
This was their first game against a ranked opponent and it was a tough one!
Its one thing to be beating up on mid-majors on your home court. Its another thing to be facing one of the top teams from a power conference on a neutral site!
Anyway, I figured they might suffer a narrow loss given the team isn't at full strength missing several key players due to injuries. It would be a good tough loss that would build the character of the team for the grind of the season.
But they pulled it out!
Only concern: missed free throws. I'm guessing Coach Howland will have the team working on it in the next practice.
They battled back from a deficit. That somehow is tough defense and being smart on offense. And what a huge basket by Luc Richard Mbah a Moute!
They battled back from a deficit. That somehow is tough defense and being smart on offense. And what a huge basket by Luc Richard Mbah a Moute!
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