It's unrealistic to think that we can hang with Indiana or Ohio State but Maryland and Nebraska are winnable games. Not saying we will, but we'll just take it one week at a time. The funny thing is, we could be 6-0 right now. Let's just hope that they make the right hire. We still have significant talent issues on defense and the offensive line, and last week was apparently not a one off for Jerry. Things are getting interesting. I don't think we snuck on anybody this week. I like Jerry's play calling better than McVay's. At least for two weeks, Jerry has been a very good in-game play caller.
Hello Tamara. Hard to interact when I’m driving great wind today miss our conversations during the game. I finally am feeling much better and getting recovered from the months and years of taking care of my mom and Pat. It’s good to feel better. I get home next Sunday and then following that and I’ll be home and able to join Bruin nation during games in the meantime, keep putting us on the victory
I don't think there's any question that Jerry has proven himself as a play caller, even if for only two games. If UCLA does not hire him as the permanent OC, someone else in one of the four big conferences will. We have an up and coming OC and should not let him go.
Things were going so well for the Bruins that UCLA athletic director Martin Jarmond came over to where a Times reporter was sitting in the press box late in the third quarter to discuss the changes he had made in the coaching staff that helped spark the team’s turnaround.
I still believe this team will end with a losing record. Not that I want them to but Michigan St and Maryland were two teams slated to lose to UCLA at the beginning of the year, and Michigan St came through today and perhaps Maryland next week, but @ Indiana and @ Ohio St. GOOD LUCK, they'd have to play much better than either the Penn St game or the Michigan game and Indian and Ohio St would have to play their worst games of the year -- not seeing it. And Penn St couldn't even beat Northwestern at home today!! In addition, Washington and SUC... not seeing wins here either. So, we need to let the season play out and see how Jelly 2.0 (slimier than donut droppings) reacts to a 4-8 or 3-9 football record. My guess is he attempt to paint it all as a "successful failure" and try to move on. If Frenk doesn't fire him after either a 4-8 or 3-9 season, then they need to remove Frenk. Jelly 2.0 will be fired at season's end, especially if we lose to SUC.
You are dead on the money, B88! Most of us want to more or less see justice done and wrongs be righted. Personally, to see the kids pull out of the crash dive and believe in themselves just thrills me down to my toes! They can end up with these two wins but I believe there may be more.
As I commented previously, sometimes the more endearing teams are the ones that play over their heads and achieve sparks of greatness! Those will be the ones who build those sparks into roaring bonfires and from that's dynasties are built.
But NONE will be successful with the likes of Jarmond and DSF* in place.
*no offense to DeShaun Foster. A kindly man who did not have the experience.
You can also bet that AD Martin Guerrero is treating his UCLA administration bosses with daily deliveries of jelly donuts while taking credit for the successes of the interim coaching staff and continuing to claim that "I'm very confident in my ability to hire coaches to win championships. I've done it." [ his earlier quote to ESPN ]
But this is a lot more fun than the first 3 and a half weeks of football. Kudos to the "new" staff for the fresh approach and for putting the kids in a position to succeed. Kudos to the players for not packing it in when things hit rock bottom and embracing a new opportunity. I am so happy for the joy they are experiencing now after such a brutal start.
I hope this team can keep the momentum going and salvage some of Foster's recruiting class. I hope that Coach Skipper and Little Neu retain their interim tags until a thorough and legit search of proper candidates is done. And I hope Jonathan Smith was thanked for his "interview" today but informed that we will not be extending an offer at this time.
You're allowed to say that, GB. If anything, this shows how clueless Jarmond really is. Get him the hell away from any vestige of control whatsoever. Have him supervising the toilet detail in the J. D. Doooo building at most!
I will repeat what I said last week. If the Bruins end up bowl eligible, this staff deserves serious consideration. I might even go further than that. They are now very well coached and playing with energy, enthusiasm and purpose. That’s not accidental. Skipper has 6 more games in his “job interview.” There are no sure things in hiring a new coach and I certainly don’t want to lose an up and coming OC in Jerry Neuheisel. Looking forward to the Maryland game.
Ummm. To succeed, UCLA needs big money to recruit great players. UCLA needs big money to hire coaches that are willing to coach and recruit players and hustle donors. I don’t know if this current staff has the savvy to do this. It’s no longer the 1980’s.
If this team continues on this trajectory, all that stuff takes care of itself. There are plenty of schools paying big money for mediocre results, nor does money alone solve all problems.
..I'll consider your proposition, Army*, so long as UCLA scores another major off the chart upset and Jarmond IS NOWHERE NEAR THE DECISION PROCESS. He is a clueless, moronic dilettante. In fact, the closer the guy is to the unemployment line, the better.
I think we have 6 games to go. Teams will start to adjust to the new schemes and our staff will also need to adjust. Penn State just lost at home to Northwestern, making our win look a little less impressive. Some of our candidates for HC are also looking a little more tarnished, like Scott White and Jonathan Smith. There is a lot to like right now which could change. However, if this staff ends the season beating SC and going to a bowl game, that would be an accomplishment that none of us thought possible a few weeks ago.
Lil Neu called the plays. Mazzone used to run tempo, even with a lead, sometimes letting teams back in games. Mazzone was not known for ball control and dominating time of possession. It was quite the opposite. Do you remember what Stanford did to UCLA in those days? Skipper and Neuheisel aren’t running tempo like Mazzone did.
Enough of Lil’ Nue. Coach Skip is the skipper of the ship. And our defensive coaches Jethro Franklin and Kevin Coyle aren’t shabby either. Congratulations to the Bruins today. But can anyone explain to me the 5 yard passing completions on third down when we need 15? Shades of crummy Chip Kelly (now under fire with a pathetic offense with the Raiders). Just asking. Other than that let’s keep it going! Go BruinNation.
Little Neu has called plays for 2 games and put up 80 points. He deserves all the praise he is getting. So does Coyle and particularly Coach Skipper for this fabulous change in trajectory.
Rushing and Defense? The 80's making a comeback and am here for it! Do not look ahead at the schedule....Maryland is next....Go Bruins....beat the Terps!
Great write-up, Joe. However, we need to also mention that amazing fake punt that gained us serious field position. Coach Skipper is not for the faint of heart!
Let's not get crazy here. Penn State is not a good football team. The #7 ranking was the result of pre-season hype. Happened to Texas too and happens every year to at least a few to 10 teams.
Well, preseason hype based on nearly everyone returning (other than Ty Warren) from a playoff semifinalist - but like Florida St last year, they turned out to be talented but mentally weak in adversity - which does come down in no small measure to coaching. That UCLA didn't succumb to that after the horrific start can be credited to Skipper and Lil Neu (and, apparently Nico's leadershipin the locker room per some reports) - certainly points in their favor whatever happens going forward.
UCLA was apparently a trap game for Sparty too... :-)
When he was with Oregon St., MSU HC Smith had a 2-0 record vs. UCLA, so there's some past history he could be proud of. UCLA's surprise victory against PSU may have been just a fluke, so beating the visiting Bruins wouldn't seem to be too difficult for MSU. But when MSU jumped out to the early lead, they fell into the trap. I think the failed 4th-and-1 play from their own 34-yard line in the 1st quarter demonstrated a lack of respect for the Bruins defense. It was fun seeing the Bruins defense AND offense both performing well. They're playing inspired football and having fun delivering "embarrassing" losses to their overconfident opponents.
It's fun but let's not get ahead of ourselves. There's still 6 games to play, and 3 of them are against ranked opponents late in the season. otoh if we keep playing like this we can hang with anybody.
It's unrealistic to think that we can hang with Indiana or Ohio State but Maryland and Nebraska are winnable games. Not saying we will, but we'll just take it one week at a time. The funny thing is, we could be 6-0 right now. Let's just hope that they make the right hire. We still have significant talent issues on defense and the offensive line, and last week was apparently not a one off for Jerry. Things are getting interesting. I don't think we snuck on anybody this week. I like Jerry's play calling better than McVay's. At least for two weeks, Jerry has been a very good in-game play caller.
Idk...
Indiana and Oregon are tied. Oregon barely beat PSU.
Anything is possible, and I am not counting this team out against anyone until they lose.
Exactly, why not dream a little? What harm could it do?
Northwestern just beat Penn State. Everyone beats Penn State.
Indiana just clinched its win over Oregon. Bad pick by Dante Moore to seal it.
Hello Tamara. Hard to interact when I’m driving great wind today miss our conversations during the game. I finally am feeling much better and getting recovered from the months and years of taking care of my mom and Pat. It’s good to feel better. I get home next Sunday and then following that and I’ll be home and able to join Bruin nation during games in the meantime, keep putting us on the victory
Hi sweet Terry,
So happy for you dear friend.
The journey of caregiving is so very hard but as you and I both know, when you care for a loved one you come to know the depth of your love...
Today was a wonderful win, and hoping for many more. Until next time, God Bless and always be kind to yourself 🙏💗
OSU is a tough nut for us. We beat them back in my day when our QB was on a roll having beaten Elway and a few others.
I don't think there's any question that Jerry has proven himself as a play caller, even if for only two games. If UCLA does not hire him as the permanent OC, someone else in one of the four big conferences will. We have an up and coming OC and should not let him go.
From the LA Times:
Things were going so well for the Bruins that UCLA athletic director Martin Jarmond came over to where a Times reporter was sitting in the press box late in the third quarter to discuss the changes he had made in the coaching staff that helped spark the team’s turnaround.
Can you believe this guy? SMH
The reporter was Bolch. He tweeted about it.
Hopefully Jarmond has a clause in his contract that calls for firing due to disingenuous douchebaggery.
Can't believe BB didn't just burst out laughing, or maybe vomit a little...MJ is some kind of special.
I saw Ben's tweet about it. The responses to his tweet were legendary!
https://x.com/latbbolch/status/1977087169983660350
That’s hilarious! Seems like Ben teed him up for those responses!
Greg I am going to be in Colorado from 11/21 to 11/27. Maybe we can find a time to get together this trip. I’ll text you.
It was his mess and he fired the coach. The coordinators left on their own and if they had stayed, nothing would have changed.
Another delusional "read the room" moment by The Fetus!
Fire his asss before he can do anymore harm!
I still believe this team will end with a losing record. Not that I want them to but Michigan St and Maryland were two teams slated to lose to UCLA at the beginning of the year, and Michigan St came through today and perhaps Maryland next week, but @ Indiana and @ Ohio St. GOOD LUCK, they'd have to play much better than either the Penn St game or the Michigan game and Indian and Ohio St would have to play their worst games of the year -- not seeing it. And Penn St couldn't even beat Northwestern at home today!! In addition, Washington and SUC... not seeing wins here either. So, we need to let the season play out and see how Jelly 2.0 (slimier than donut droppings) reacts to a 4-8 or 3-9 football record. My guess is he attempt to paint it all as a "successful failure" and try to move on. If Frenk doesn't fire him after either a 4-8 or 3-9 season, then they need to remove Frenk. Jelly 2.0 will be fired at season's end, especially if we lose to SUC.
You are dead on the money, B88! Most of us want to more or less see justice done and wrongs be righted. Personally, to see the kids pull out of the crash dive and believe in themselves just thrills me down to my toes! They can end up with these two wins but I believe there may be more.
As I commented previously, sometimes the more endearing teams are the ones that play over their heads and achieve sparks of greatness! Those will be the ones who build those sparks into roaring bonfires and from that's dynasties are built.
But NONE will be successful with the likes of Jarmond and DSF* in place.
*no offense to DeShaun Foster. A kindly man who did not have the experience.
Yes, I can, just another suit.
Jelly 2.0 = Slimey Donut. This guy could not be a bigger ZERO. Loser redefined.
You can also bet that AD Martin Guerrero is treating his UCLA administration bosses with daily deliveries of jelly donuts while taking credit for the successes of the interim coaching staff and continuing to claim that "I'm very confident in my ability to hire coaches to win championships. I've done it." [ his earlier quote to ESPN ]
I double shuttered with 'Martin Guerrero' 🤣
U.C.L.A. Football is a freaking juggernaut!!!
Well...ok. Maybe not.
But this is a lot more fun than the first 3 and a half weeks of football. Kudos to the "new" staff for the fresh approach and for putting the kids in a position to succeed. Kudos to the players for not packing it in when things hit rock bottom and embracing a new opportunity. I am so happy for the joy they are experiencing now after such a brutal start.
I hope this team can keep the momentum going and salvage some of Foster's recruiting class. I hope that Coach Skipper and Little Neu retain their interim tags until a thorough and legit search of proper candidates is done. And I hope Jonathan Smith was thanked for his "interview" today but informed that we will not be extending an offer at this time.
You're allowed to say that, GB. If anything, this shows how clueless Jarmond really is. Get him the hell away from any vestige of control whatsoever. Have him supervising the toilet detail in the J. D. Doooo building at most!
I will repeat what I said last week. If the Bruins end up bowl eligible, this staff deserves serious consideration. I might even go further than that. They are now very well coached and playing with energy, enthusiasm and purpose. That’s not accidental. Skipper has 6 more games in his “job interview.” There are no sure things in hiring a new coach and I certainly don’t want to lose an up and coming OC in Jerry Neuheisel. Looking forward to the Maryland game.
Ummm. To succeed, UCLA needs big money to recruit great players. UCLA needs big money to hire coaches that are willing to coach and recruit players and hustle donors. I don’t know if this current staff has the savvy to do this. It’s no longer the 1980’s.
If this team continues on this trajectory, all that stuff takes care of itself. There are plenty of schools paying big money for mediocre results, nor does money alone solve all problems.
..I'll consider your proposition, Army*, so long as UCLA scores another major off the chart upset and Jarmond IS NOWHERE NEAR THE DECISION PROCESS. He is a clueless, moronic dilettante. In fact, the closer the guy is to the unemployment line, the better.
*Condescending of me, I realize.
I think we have 6 games to go. Teams will start to adjust to the new schemes and our staff will also need to adjust. Penn State just lost at home to Northwestern, making our win look a little less impressive. Some of our candidates for HC are also looking a little more tarnished, like Scott White and Jonathan Smith. There is a lot to like right now which could change. However, if this staff ends the season beating SC and going to a bowl game, that would be an accomplishment that none of us thought possible a few weeks ago.
Fair enough. So long as Jarmond doesn't get to "read the room" or is no longer in the room to participate in the decision.
We have plenty of games left to analyze things. No need to make a rash decision. Heck, James Franklin may be available!
Hopefully the only thing Jarmond is reading is the want ads.
There is a reason Noel Mazzone was hired to watch over Lil Neu.
Lil Neu called the plays. Mazzone used to run tempo, even with a lead, sometimes letting teams back in games. Mazzone was not known for ball control and dominating time of possession. It was quite the opposite. Do you remember what Stanford did to UCLA in those days? Skipper and Neuheisel aren’t running tempo like Mazzone did.
Enough of Lil’ Nue. Coach Skip is the skipper of the ship. And our defensive coaches Jethro Franklin and Kevin Coyle aren’t shabby either. Congratulations to the Bruins today. But can anyone explain to me the 5 yard passing completions on third down when we need 15? Shades of crummy Chip Kelly (now under fire with a pathetic offense with the Raiders). Just asking. Other than that let’s keep it going! Go BruinNation.
Little Neu has called plays for 2 games and put up 80 points. He deserves all the praise he is getting. So does Coyle and particularly Coach Skipper for this fabulous change in trajectory.
Rushing and Defense? The 80's making a comeback and am here for it! Do not look ahead at the schedule....Maryland is next....Go Bruins....beat the Terps!
Great write-up, Joe. However, we need to also mention that amazing fake punt that gained us serious field position. Coach Skipper is not for the faint of heart!
Let's not get crazy here. Penn State is not a good football team. The #7 ranking was the result of pre-season hype. Happened to Texas too and happens every year to at least a few to 10 teams.
Well, preseason hype based on nearly everyone returning (other than Ty Warren) from a playoff semifinalist - but like Florida St last year, they turned out to be talented but mentally weak in adversity - which does come down in no small measure to coaching. That UCLA didn't succumb to that after the horrific start can be credited to Skipper and Lil Neu (and, apparently Nico's leadershipin the locker room per some reports) - certainly points in their favor whatever happens going forward.
UCLA was apparently a trap game for Sparty too... :-)
When he was with Oregon St., MSU HC Smith had a 2-0 record vs. UCLA, so there's some past history he could be proud of. UCLA's surprise victory against PSU may have been just a fluke, so beating the visiting Bruins wouldn't seem to be too difficult for MSU. But when MSU jumped out to the early lead, they fell into the trap. I think the failed 4th-and-1 play from their own 34-yard line in the 1st quarter demonstrated a lack of respect for the Bruins defense. It was fun seeing the Bruins defense AND offense both performing well. They're playing inspired football and having fun delivering "embarrassing" losses to their overconfident opponents.
Go Bruins!
It's fun but let's not get ahead of ourselves. There's still 6 games to play, and 3 of them are against ranked opponents late in the season. otoh if we keep playing like this we can hang with anybody.