The UCLA football team may not like to hear it, but USC wishes
the Bruins were a better team. USC dropped to No. 3 in the BCS
standings despite beating Arizona 45-0 last week. Behind Oklahoma,
Ohio State is now No. 2, as the Buckeyes lead the Trojans by 0.19
points. Despite last week’s victory, the 2-9 Wildcats hurt
USC’s strength of schedule ““ as will the Bruins (6-5,
4-3 Pac-10), come UCLA victory or defeat. Unranked and riding a
three-game losing streak, the Bruins do not help the Trojans’
strength of schedule; Ohio State faces Michigan, which is No. 9 in
the BCS. UCLA players and coaches said that they pay no attention
to the BCS, but they might take some solace knowing that even in
defeat, the Bruins could keep USC (9-1, 5-1 Pac-10) out of the
national championship at the Sugar Bowl. “The BCS is always a
controversy at this point of the year,” UCLA coach Karl
Dorrell said. “There are no absolutes, and if I was in
USC’s position, I wouldn’t get it. Football coaches
coach, and they don’t understand how (the BCS) works.”
But when the Bruins say they relish their role as possible spoilers
to USC’s title hopes, they think of themselves as spoilers in
terms of beating the Trojans, not as simply hurting USC’s
strength of schedule. “What do we really have to lose?”
senior wide receiver Ryan Smith said. “They have everything
to lose. This is a rivalry game; if you can’t get up for
this, there is something wrong with you.”
DORRELL CRACKS A JOKE: Local media has made
quite a fuss over Dorrell’s seemingly dull personality, and
no journalist has written more about Dorrell’s boring ways
than L.A. Times columnist T.J. Simers. Simers made Dorrell’s
personality a key subject in a press conference after the
Bruins’ loss to Washington State, and last week he wrote that
reporters need coffee to stay awake when interviewing “Karl
Dullard.” On Monday, however, Dorrell was prepared for
Simers. Dorrell entered the press conference with a cup of
Starbucks coffee in hand, and walked directly over to Simers. While
handing the coffee to the journalist, Dorrell said, “I
don’t want T.J. to get too bored with me and fall
asleep.” During the press conference, Dorrell checked in with
Simers to make sure he was not bored. Simers drank the coffee.
INJURY REPORT: Freshman center Robert Chai
sprained his left knee in last week’s loss to Oregon. He was
given an MRI on Monday, and Dorrell said Chai’s status for
Saturday is uncertain, or “50-50.” If Chai cannot play,
Paul Mociler will take over at center, along with senior Tyson
Clayton. Sophomore tight end Marcedes Lewis suffered a mild
concussion against Oregon and may not have much physical contact in
practice this week, according to Dorrell. Lewis should be able to
run in practice today and could see contact Wednesday. He is listed
as probable for Saturday.
OLSON TO START: Sophomore quarterback Drew
Olson will retain his starting job and lead the Bruins against
USC.