UA vs UCLA

Wildcat05 · October 22nd, 2009, 10:52 PM

I know that every weekend in college football is do-or-die, but this game could have even greater ramifications because of the recruits coming to Tucson on official visits. Cecil Whiteside, a Cal commit, is visiting and if we can steal him away, that will really make a statement to the rest of the Pac10 and even the country.

According to Scout.com, Cecil Whiteside wasn't too impressed by Cal's energy and lackluster performance when he was visiting Berkeley.

This could be a coup on the level of Burfict picking ASU over USC, IMO and signal that UA is in the top half of the Pac10.

Back to the topic of the thread. I see UA handling UCLA with ease. We may have to turn more to our running game, but we've got the talent to back it up.

UA - 34
UCLA - 17

MaoTosiFanClub · October 23rd, 2009, 08:02 AM

The results of one game don't really matter when it comes to recruits for the most part. Didn't Burfict go to ASU after a 5-7 season? Of course doesn't hurt but playing time, relationship with coaches, and other factors (things best left unsaid) determine where a player goes to school more than the outcome of a game.

Regarding the game itself, Arizona is a much better team than UCLA. The Bruins have a solid D, but QB and offensive playmakers favor the Wildcats by a wide margin. That being said, under Mike Stoops Arizona has never handled success well.

Being at home helps but I don't see this one being a blowout. A close game that one turnover or break here or there decides the outcome.

Wildcat05 · October 23rd, 2009, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaoTosiFanClub

The results of one game don't really matter when it comes to recruits for the most part.

Of course not. I didn't mean to imply that a Win would seal the deal. But the fact that Whiteside has decided to take a look is a testament to the excitement following the program. I think it's an opportunity for the coaches to really take advantage of. To show him, and the other recruits what UA is about.

And I think it's hard to say that Mike Stoops' teams haven't handled success well. Because we haven't been overly successful, save for a few upsets over ranked teams. This year feels different because we're a deeper team.

TJ UofA2004 · October 23rd, 2009, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaoTosiFanClub

The results of one game don't really matter when it comes to recruits for the most part. Didn't Burfict go to ASU after a 5-7 season? Of course doesn't hurt but playing time, relationship with coaches, and other factors (things best left unsaid) determine where a player goes to school more than the outcome of a game.

Regarding the game itself, Arizona is a much better team than UCLA. The Bruins have a solid D, but QB and offensive playmakers favor the Wildcats by a wide margin. That being said, under Mike Stoops Arizona has never handled success well.

Being at home helps but I don't see this one being a blowout. A close game that one turnover or break here or there decides the outcome.

You mean $100 handshakes??

TJ UofA2004 · October 23rd, 2009, 09:09 AM

The one thing Im looking for tomorrow is seeing us regain our defensive mojo. The last three games have made outsiders forget that we have talented defenders, especially in the secondary. These days, I dont have to worry about the O as they will get theirs, but Ill consider it a side victory if we hold UCLA under 20

MaoTosiFanClub · October 23rd, 2009, 10:33 AM

Yes, we have handled "success" poorly. I can't remeber one time in the last five years when the program has been talked about in a positive light nationally or regionally like we are now in which we capitalized on it.

2005 - beat Oregon State on the road in Tuitama's first start, come back home and destroy top 5 UCLA. Follow it up with blowout home loss to UW and a loss to a mediocre ASU squad.

2006 - high expectations for the season turn sour when Tuitama gets concussed. Team wins a few games in a row including a top 10 Cal team and is set up to go to first bowl game in years just needing to beat a reeling ASU team about to can it's head coach. UA loses big at home in a game they were frankly never ready to play.

2007 - Win three in a row including #2 Oregon and set up a big game against an ASU team that hadn't been playing well since Torain went down. We know what happened.

2008 - Pitiful losses to New Mexico after a two game winning streak.

Every time this team under Stoops has been somewhat on a roll it's blown momentum against not-so-great teams. That's what worries me about tomorrow.

Russ Smith · October 23rd, 2009, 10:50 AM

UCLA's offense sucks.

Last week in the Cal game a Cal LB got hurt, and due to confusion, Cal had only 10 players on the field, for TWO plays. The first one nothing really happened, on the 2nd one, UCLA's TE Logan Paulsen was wide open for a TD, but Prince badly underthrew it, LB Kendricks picked it off, and ran it back for a TD. Cal had 10 players on the field, the 11th guy presumably had Paulsen, and they not only stopped UCLA, they scored a TD on the play! ANd Kendricks barely played in the game because he was hurt.

After seeing Brehaut 2 weeks ago I'm convinced he's the future at UCLA, much stronger arm and quicker release than Prince. He needs experience and is still learning the offense but he's the future IMHO.

They key to beating UCLA is block Brian Price, he's the guy that makes that defense go, block him and you should beat them easily.

green machine · October 23rd, 2009, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaoTosiFanClub

Yes, we have handled "success" poorly. I can't remeber one time in the last five years when the program has been talked about in a positive light nationally or regionally like we are now in which we capitalized on it.

2005 - beat Oregon State on the road in Tuitama's first start, come back home and destroy top 5 UCLA. Follow it up with blowout home loss to UW and a loss to a mediocre ASU squad.

2006 - high expectations for the season turn sour when Tuitama gets concussed. Team wins a few games in a row including a top 10 Cal team and is set up to go to first bowl game in years just needing to beat a reeling ASU team about to can it's head coach. UA loses big at home in a game they were frankly never ready to play.

2007 - Win three in a row including #2 Oregon and set up a big game against an ASU team that hadn't been playing well since Torain went down. We know what happened.

2008 - Pitiful losses to New Mexico after a two game winning streak.

Every time this team under Stoops has been somewhat on a roll it's blown momentum against not-so-great teams. That's what worries me about tomorrow.

In 05 and 06 injuries directly led to the losses to ASU, as I especially remember Adam Austin getting most of the snaps in the 06 game.

I still have nightmares of that game. Ugh.

Wildcat05 · October 25th, 2009, 01:45 AM

I would never have thought it would be possible to say that we dominated a game after committing 5 turnovers, but there you have it.

Defense really showed up. Foles, who apparently was suffering from the flu, should recover from this. In fact, I'm sure he needed to have a game like this, and its better he got it out of his system now, then against Cal, Oregon or USC.

Btw, why are we putting Matt Scott in there to throw the ball? He should be limited to QB Draws IMHO.

TJ UofA2004 · October 25th, 2009, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildcat05

I would never have thought it would be possible to say that we dominated a game after committing 5 turnovers, but there you have it.

Defense really showed up. Foles, who apparently was suffering from the flu, should recover from this. In fact, I'm sure he needed to have a game like this, and its better he got it out of his system now, then against Cal, Oregon or USC.

Btw, why are we putting Matt Scott in there to throw the ball? He should be limited to QB Draws IMHO.

Matt Scott should never be under center again. When he came in last night, I about had a heart attack and it got worse when he almost threw that interception.

Wildcat05 · October 25th, 2009, 12:10 PM

Rivals is reporting that a commit gave a verbal after an official visit last night. Since I'm not "In" or paying for Rivals.com subscription, can anyone give me the scoop?

Wildcat05 · October 25th, 2009, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildcat05

Rivals is reporting that a commit gave a verbal after an official visit last night. Since I'm not "In" or paying for Rivals.com subscription, can anyone give me the scoop?

Rivals is reporting 4-star LB Derek Earls has given a solid verbal! From what I've read about him, he sounds solid.

MaoTosiFanClub · October 25th, 2009, 07:28 PM

Decent win, obviously there's still some things to tighten up and some injuries to take care of. Easy bye week then the Wazzu cakewalk should put us ready for the stratch run which should be pretty difficult.