His name is Matt, and he’s a senior.
Matt’s been here for four years and in that time
he’s seen a lot. He’s seen national titles in many
different sports; he’s seen men’s basketball take
itself back into the ranks of the nation’s elite (actually,
they are the elite at the moment); and he’s seen most
everything that can happen under the sun.
And yet there’s one thing he hasn’t seen.
A UCLA victory over USC in football.
The last time UCLA beat USC in football, young Matt wasn’t
old enough to get his driver’s license and was more worried
about what high school in Virginia was going to be like than what
life after college was like.
It’s now 2006 and Matt is in grave danger of becoming
another one of those statistics. Those sad souls who pass four
years in the student section at the Rose Bowl and see only losses
to crosstown USC.
Four classes have come and gone through Bruin ranks during the
current losing streak, and this year’s senior class is in
serious danger of being unlucky No. 5.
The week before the Oregon State game I was talking with Matt
over some bottles of … apple juice … and he told me he
didn’t care if UCLA lost the rest of its games this season if
the Bruins found a way to beat the Trojans.
About five minutes later he told me he didn’t care if UCLA
lost the rest of its games this season if the Bruins found a way to
beat the Trojans.
And then he told me a few more times before the hour hand had
made its way around the clock.
This can’t just be students. Players on the football team
have got to be aching for a turnaround and must be really desperate
for a win.
This game is far more important than a bowl win. Far more.
A win makes the Bruins’ season. That is not necessarily a
great statement about the health of the program as a whole, but it
is true.
With a win, players and students alike will tell stories down
the road that they were there the day UCLA took a seven-game losing
streak and shoved it down USC’s throat. They will remember
it.
They will also remember it if it doesn’t happen.
The classes of 2006, 2005, 2004 and 2003 remember it.
I’m not sure what exactly is needed to switch around the
mojo for the Bruins, but I’m willing to try anything.
I’m even willing to accept that I might be bad luck for
the team.
Two years ago I didn’t go and they almost won. Last year I
went and they got blown out.
So I’m leaving town. I’m hopping a plane to St.
Louis.
I don’t know if you’ve seen the movie “Celtic
Pride” where Boston Celtics fans Dan Aykroyd and Daniel Stern
are forced to wear Jazz jerseys and use themselves being bad luck
as justification, but I’m thinking it might work.
OK, so that’s not why I’m going to St. Louis, but if
it works I expect a thank-you letter or two from some of you
seniors.
Breaking down the game, there really is no way I can predict a
UCLA victory. I feel like Dorrell is making the safe, but not
necessarily best, choice by starting Cowan over Olson. You
can’t criticize him for sticking with who’s been in the
game, and I have a bad feeling that is part of the reason for the
choice. Olson could come back and be terrible. He also has the
potential to come back and be a beast.
It’s a riskier move, but against USC you have to play to
win ““ you can’t play not to lose.
For Matt’s sake, I hope Cowan comes through, and I hope
the Bruins can generate enough offense to put points on the board
and can play stout-enough defense to stick with the Trojans.
As I was writing this column I got a text message. It read,
“I don’t care if UCLA loses in the Emerald Bowl this
season if it can find a way to beat the Trojans.”
E-mail Gordon at bgordon@media.ucla.edu if you’re
worried about your class not seeing a victory as well.