Expectations are a funny thing. They cloud better judgment, laugh in the face of reason, and generate tidal waves of disappointment.
Every sports fan has experienced the excitement of a promising future ““ a new coach, a pennant race, an NCAA tournament run ““ only to be let down and to abandon all hope.
Expectations have UCLA students discussing football and a certain new coach.
New year. New coordinator. Neuheisel.
Rick Neuheisel’s return to Westwood has been well-documented, receiving a surprising amount of national attention in the process. For the first time in a long time, there is considerable buzz on campus, not about hanging another basketball banner in Pauley Pavilion but instead about UCLA football.
When SportsCenter starts running clips from spring practice, it’s clear there has been a seismic, San Andreas-fault shift in the landscape of L.A. football.
The lofty expectations of the Neuheisel era have trickled down into this season, even more so after the Bruins upset Tennessee in a nationally televised season opener.
Still, we must not forget that the offensive line is a makeshift unit, starting a former tight end, Scott Glicksberg, at guard alongside a slate of inexperienced lineman. Although they held their own in pass protection, few rushing lanes led to a meager 29 yards on the ground.
The line is the backbone of any offense, and problems blocking are far more detrimental to an offense than starting a backup quarterback.
Even with a strong defense and offensive coordinator Norm Chow’s play-calling wizardry, it is the schedule that poses the biggest obstacle to some sort of incredible one-year turnaround.
After the spirited victory over Tennessee, where the defense was excellent all night and Kevin Craft looked like Troy Aikman in the second half, expectations are higher than ever to win right now.
But remember the Bruins must travel to BYU, Oregon and Arizona State, and must face difficult home contests against Fresno State and the juggernaut across town, USC.
The demanding schedule alone makes the six wins required for a bowl birth unlikely, though upsetting USC on Dec. 6 would erase any disappointment from missing a bowl. Any future losses should not diminish the excitement of the Neuheisel era.
Keep this in mind: In his second seasons with Colorado and Washington, Neuheisel was a combined 21-3. He is not here to deliver a national championship or Rose Bowl birth this season but to build a program utilizing players he recruited that will restore UCLA football to national prominence.
Right now, he is working with someone else’s players, which is tantamount to running a marathon in the wrong-sized shoes.
Last week, Neuheisel appeared on a giant billboard, finger extended like Babe Ruth calling his shot, with the declaration “The football monopoly in Los Angeles is officially over.”
That volley fired at USC was long overdue, but rest assured, with the semi-pro team Pete Carroll is fielding this year, the monopoly is still firmly intact.
These expectations, however, should be maintained for more than four quarters and for more than a year.
Given ample time to recruit his own players and implement his own system, Neuheisel can end the football monopoly in this city.
Enjoy Monday night’s win, but be patient with the bumps in the road.
Usurping monopolies takes time.
E-mail Taylor at btaylor@media.ucla.edu.