UCLA – Cal Preview: Season May Hang In The Balance For Bruins And Bears
For the UCLA Bruins and the California Golden Bears, hopes for the remainder of this season may well be on the line in their upcoming contest this Saturday at the Rose Bowl.
Both teams have identical records; they are 3-2 overall and more importantly, 0-2 in the Pac-10 Conference.
Both teams are coming off disasterous losses, though Cal - who has had two straight embarassing losses - had a bye week to try and fix things.
And for both squads, a win is absolutely imperative if they are to remain on course for a good season and a bowl bid; the loser of this game will be pretty much relegated to sub-par and spoiler status.
UCLA is eager to get the humiliating 24-10 defeat at the hands of the Oregon Ducks out of their mouths, as they had possibly the worst four minutes in the history of the program in their loss last week; a 102-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to begin the second half, quickly followed by a 32-yard interception for a touchdown and a fumble that led to a third touchdown.
One word sums that up: Embarrassing.
It is safe to say that coach Rick Neuheisel’s Bruins have something to prove against the Bears.
Kevin Prince certainly does, as the quarterback threw for just 81 yards and that pick-6, leading the offense to a mere three points and failing to score twice from within the 15-yard line, including a first-and-goal at the two; for the UCLA offense, it was 2008 revisited.
And the Bruins’ run defense, led by linebacker Reggie Carter and defensive tackle Brian Price, certainly has something to prove, as they have given up 100-yard days to Stanford’s Toby Gerhart and Oregon’s LaMichael James the past two outings
The Golden Bears have their own issues, as they have been outscored 72-6 in their last two games, with Jarvid Best, who was once a front running Heisman Trophy candidate, rushing for less than 100 yards in both contests.
Oregon and USC, the two teams that blew out the Bears, stacked the box against Cal, neutralizing Best and forcing quarterback Kevin Riley to try and beat them with with his arm. To say that Riley failed miserably would be an understatement, as he produced only two field goals in those eight quarters.
Like UCLA, the Bears have something to prove in this game as well; they will be coming out with a chip on their shoulder.
As should the Bruins if they want to win this game.
To go winless in three games in the Pac-10 would be unthinkable for either team.
One thing will be for certain: Both teams will be bringing it on Saturday, so I expect an entertaining, hard-fought battle between the University of California’s two flagship schools, as the home team has won the past eight years.
Both teams know what’s at stake, so the only thing left to do is strap on the helmets and see who comes out on top.
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