Although his career at UCLA hasn’t been spectacular, Drew
Olson made great strides from his sophomore year to his junior
year.
The offense averaged 30 points a game last year ““ 11 more
than it averaged in 2003. Any time there is an opportunity to start
a quarterback who has only improved during his tenure for a third
consecutive year, it should be taken advantage of.
Ben Olson certainly has all the tools to be a great quarterback
for UCLA, but it takes time for a freshman quarterback (no matter
how old he is) to learn how to run a college offense, and it takes
time for an offense to get used to a new quarterback.
Plus, it would only benefit the program in the future to have
Ben get a year under his belt to digest the offense, rather than
taking the customary lumps that freshmen quarterbacks almost always
take.
The Bruins have had two years with Drew, and the offense has
gotten better in that time. Why hinder that progress and start all
over again?
If Drew can match the 30 points per game the offense scored
under him last year, with an improved defensive unit this year, it
should be enough for the Bruins to win most of their games.
With many of the key components of the offense returning, the
more experienced of the Olsons should be able to equal, if not
improve upon, his production from last year. Drew’s
experience and continued improvement will give the Bruins their
best chance to win this year.
E-mail Azar at bazar@media.ucla.edu.