UCLA Keeps Rose Bowl Hopes Alive

Although it seemed unlikely as their season unraveled earlier this month, the UCLA Bruins are still in the running for the Rose Bowl Game after defeating the beleaguered Oregon Ducks in Pasadena 16-0.

For the first half of the game, it looked like neither injury-riddled team wanted to win the ballgame. Converted wide receiver Osaar Rashaan completed none of his 7 passes in the start, resulting in Karl Dorrell bringing "emergency substitute" Ben Olson off the bench at haltime--providing a spark to make the UCLA offense look merely mediocre. Meanwhile, the Bruin defense showed just how important Dennis Dixon was to the Oregon Ducks.

If UCLA beats USC, Oregon beats Oregon State and Arizona defeats Arizona State next Saturday, the Bruins will have the tiebreaker in the four-way race, sending the 7-5 Bruins to the Rose Bowl Game, Oregon to the Holiday Bowl, USC to the Sun Bowl and Arizona State to San Francisco's Emerald Bowl.

Then again, the Oregon loss puts USC in the drivers' seat for the Rose Bowl game--win and they're in. Even if the Trojans lose to UCLA, they could back in to the Rose Bowl is Oregon and Arizona State also lose.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

11-25-2007 @ 1:37AM

Bob said...

The Bruins are the Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde of College Football. Even when they win they look ugly. During this season, they have looked good & sometimes great for a few quarters, only to the lose a game (Arizona State). How this team is in the Rose Bowl hunt is unbelievable! Pitiful losses to lowly Notre Dame, as well as Utah (who really had no busines beating them earlier in the season). Turns out the Utah loss was an indication on how their season was going to go. OK, they had some injuries, but so do several other teams. UCLA football has always been a wonder over the years. Even when they had some great teams and players (which never won a National Championship), they can never put together that 1-great season. They better bring their A-game to Coliseum against USC. Their head coach's future is riding on this game. Beating a lowly Oregon team was a "give me" without Dennis Dixon, and the Bruins know it. They lose Saturday, again UCLA Football will take a back seat to a better program!

11-25-2007 @ 7:24AM

dot-head said...

God I hope not. Ohio state wont show up if they have to play somebody as bad as the bruins

11-25-2007 @ 9:42AM

Hugo Chavez said...

UCLA going to the Rose Bowl would be the greatest ending story to this wacky upset riddled season. But, I'd rather see USC vs OSU and see USC KILL OSU.

11-25-2007 @ 11:12AM

Bill Perry said...

UCLA in the Rose Bowl????? What are you thinking???? Even in this wild season not a chance. USC has gotten their ego and injury problems out of the way and should take this game by at least 10 points. The more interesting game will be USC against OSU. If that comes to pass. We will see what is media hype and the real thing. Should be a much better and more meaningful game than the so-called national championship game.

11-25-2007 @ 11:53AM

Troy Aikman said...

Go Bruins. You can do it. You beat USC last year. Stanford and Oregon beat USC this year. You are at your best. Believe in yourself. Fight On!

11-25-2007 @ 2:28PM

tdactil said...

I just don't see how UCLA losing to Utah is that much worse than the "greatest football team ever assembled" losing to ....Stanford. I see that as a bigger blow...And I don't want to hear about injuries or any other excuse. UCLA understands injuries. SC whines because they had to use their 2nd string quarterback? Try 3rd and 4th string. And that's just quarterback. I'm not saying it's been a good season or that we will beat SC but back off on the judgement!!

11-25-2007 @ 11:38PM

andrew said...

UCLA won the co-national championship in 1954 with Ohio St. BTW, the national championship is awarded by the BCS and USC won only 1 of that in 2005. Even that accolade my friends may be in jeapardy with the Reggie Bush scandal. Anybody remember the 83 Rose Bowl when unranked UCLA spanked #2 Illinois 45 -9? Since 1950, the series is USC 28, UCLA 26 and 3 ties. A lot of people forget how difficult it was for SC to sell tickets for all of the 90's and early 2000's, and that SC had to take the back seat for a long, long time. As for USC fans, Carson Palmer was actually booed by SC FANS at South Bend during his early years. Wonder why Carson never shows up to SC football games?

11-26-2007 @ 2:39PM

Jim Hagen said...

Please forgive me, what is this magic tie breaker owned by the Bruins that would allow them to go to thre Rose Bowl over a team that beat them, has the same league record, and a better regular season record?

11-26-2007 @ 12:27PM

Scott Olin Schmidt said...

It's explained more in-depth here:

http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/11/26/ucla-creating-rose-bowl-stench/

Bottom line is that the Pac Ten rewards losing to bad teams, punishes losing to good teams in the event of a tie.

11-29-2007 @ 11:29PM

Geraldo Cullen said...

Regretably and improbably, USE QB Booty gets hurt as do the qb (small letters - less effective) for UCLA. It becomes a defensive struggle in the late third and fourth periods and the Bruins prevail.
As the "letter is in the mail" Mister Dorrell passes anyway!
West coast reporters did their bit to try to save
the contract. June Jones will be interviewed as will
Mr. Walker. Stu Nahan will write a "requiem" with Mr. Dwyre (LA Times). JIM HEALY, RIP., WILL SIGH PEACEFULLY. Amen.
P.S. OHIO BUCS CHEW PAC TEN MEAT.

12-01-2007 @ 6:03AM

Shelly said...

If I were a Bruin rooter, I think I'd just sell my tickets and stay home today; even bad seats are going for over $200 each.

The early game on Thanksgiving has given the Trojans a chance to rest and become healthy and Booty is ready to show that the Oregon loss was just because of his broken finger.

Look for USC to mop the floor with the hapless Bruins today. USC by at least 25 to 30 points in perfect football weather.

They'll do the same to Ohiop State on January 1, too.

Fight On!!