I hate to admit this.
After UCLA’s big win over Oklahoma, one of my first
thoughts was not a positive one.
“Oh great, this just sets the Bruins up for another
monumental collapse at the end of the season.”
But as a long-time UCLA fan (and student), I know this thought
crossed a lot of your minds.
I’ve changed my mind since then. I’m now convinced
that this team is different.
Still, admit it. The thought crossed some of your minds.
And even if you won’t admit it, UCLA fans haven’t
really returned to football since the Bruins were a legitimate
national powerhouse for a two-year span from 1997-98.
Just look at the attendance at the Oklahoma game, easily the
Bruins’ biggest non-USC game in many years.
56,522.
That might look good, but it’s not a high number for a
quality college football team playing its biggest game in years
against a team that has gone to the national championship game two
years in a row.
It’s actually pitiful.
Just three years ago in 2002, UCLA drew 65,536 against Colorado
in a similar early season game, only Colorado isn’t nearly
the big name Oklahoma is.
I remember the days when the Rose Bowl would frequently come
close to selling out for UCLA games.
Not that I blame the fans for not coming back. UCLA fans have
suffered a lot of heartbreak in recent years after believing in the
Bruins early in the season before they ultimately collapsed at the
end of the year.
There was that painful year in 2001, which I’m guessing
most of you have tried to erase from your memories.
That was the year the Bruins started out 6-0, climbing the
national rankings all the way to No. 4 before losing four games in
a row and losing running back DeShaun Foster to an SUV
controversy.
Then there was 2002, when, after a 7-3 start, UCLA lost its last
two games, including a 52-21 thrashing by USC which ultimately led
to Bob Toledo being fired.
And then there was 2003, coach Karl Dorrell’s first year,
when the team started 6-2 and lost five games in a row to close out
the year.
Just last year, the Bruins lost three of their last four games,
including that awful, inexcusable loss to Wyoming.
But this year will be different.
It really will.
You fans shouldn’t be worried about jumping back onto the
Bruin bandwagon fearing a broken heart in the end. I already
have.
They have one big win already.
Oklahoma may be down this year, but the Sooners will still be a
good team. Sure, they lost to Texas Christian, but TCU is
traditionally one of the better mid-major programs.
UCLA should easily beat conference doormat Washington at the
Rose Bowl this week, moving to 4-0.
And then, look out.
Cal, Arizona State and Oregon State, UCLA’s toughest
conference opponents other than USC, travel to the Rose Bowl this
year.
In college football, playing at home has shown to be a huge
boost and a big advantage; it’s not inconceivable that UCLA
can win those games.
The Bruins miss the conference’s other promising team,
Oregon, on their schedule this year.
And UCLA’s three conference road games (other than USC)
are all against mediocre-to-awful teams in Washington State,
Arizona and Stanford.
Washington State struggled to beat Idaho at home.
Arizona’s only win is against Division I-AA Northern
Arizona.
And Stanford is the most laughable of them all ““ the
Cardinal lost to UC Davis. Yes, UC Davis. A Division I-AA school
only a few years removed from Division II, who has also lost to
Portland State and New Hampshire.
So it’s unlikely the Bruins will collapse at the end of
the year and break our hearts. (A loss to USC wouldn’t
qualify as a collapse, since the Trojans could probably beat some
NFL teams.)
It’s okay to jump back on the bandwagon and support this
team. It really is this time.
Besides, this team is fun to watch too.
Maurice Drew is the most exciting player I’ve seen play in
a UCLA uniform.
Drew Olson has decided to play like he’s Cade McNown.
And the defense has been strong enough.
This has the making of a UCLA team we can really be proud of.
And as evidenced by all empty seats at the Rose Bowl, there’s
still plenty of room to jump on the bandwagon.
Quiñonez predicts an Angels-Padres World Series. E-mail
him at gquinonez@media.ucla.