One of these days the Bruins have to stop being good and step in to the realm of being great. How do they do this? Well, some consistency on offense would be a great start.
Chris Markey carried the ball almost 20 times a game last season and ended up with just two touchdowns (one was a run for 70 yards). What does UCLA do when they get into the red zone? My first inclination is to say they don't score considering they posted just 23 points a game last year. Markey was the team's leading receiver (35 catches), so does this mean that guys like Brandon Breazell (I know he was injured four games last year) and Marcus Everett can't get the job done? I'm sure a lot of it can be put on the fact that Ben Olson was hurt for a while. Patrick Cowan is a complete gamer, but what he has in moxie, he lacks in polish. Translation: Olson has to stay healthy.
As we saw when the Bruins beat USC last year, the defense is what makes the Blue and Gold go. Defensive end Bruce Davis (left, 44) anchors a unit that was good last year, but needs to be great this year if the team wants to pick up eight or nine wins. It's safe to say Karl Dorrell saved his job last year with the USC win, but if there isn't improvement out there this season, why should he keep his job? The guy recruits extremely well and wins a big game now and again, but 29-21 over four seasons isn't up to UCLA standards.
The Bruins should be thinking wins over: Stanford, BYU, Utah, Washington, Oregon State, Notre Dame, Arizona and Arizona State. If they do this and steal one of the remaining games, then job well done by Dorrell and UCLA.
Player I would shred you with on NCAA Football 2008: Bruce Davis
80s theme song: "Shake It Up" -The Cars (1981) ... The offense needs some freakin' diversity.
Save the date: Oct. 20 vs. Cal
25. Boston College