Illinois at UCLA, Friday, November 13th, 8:00pm CT, FOX

#128      
there is a world , not that far away , in which 1/2 the crowd Friday night will be wearing orange & navy blue

Ucla is about as popular there in LA as Maryland is on campus in College Park and DNV
Why doesn't UCLA have any fans?

They're the most decorated basketball program in the country, the football team has often been good and plays in the freakin' Rose Bowl, it's a huge public school that kids all over dream of attending, they're in the most populous county in the country, USC football has tons of fans and has always been an attendance powerhouse (if a somewhat fickle one, admittedly), where the heck are all the UCLA fans?
 
#129      
there is a world , not that far away , in which 1/2 the crowd Friday night will be wearing orange & navy blue

Ucla is about as popular there in LA as Maryland is on campus in College Park and DNV
At first I read this as DMV, and could not agree more.

Point is still accurate though.
 
#130      
with all due respect, Keith Jackson sits on top of that mountain .

and
it’s
not
even
close
As a single voice of college football this is absolutely true (I was referring to Verne & Raftery together on NCAA tournament games).

I will say to the board generally though, if you don't stand with me in opposing the destruction of the Grandaddy of 'em All and everything that concept stood for, you have forfeited your right to venerate Keith Jackson and the echoes of college football legend.

It's Keith Jackson vs Pat McAfee and Dave Portnoy. With us or against us.

 
#132      
Why doesn't UCLA have any fans?

They're the most decorated basketball program in the country, the football team has often been good and plays in the freakin' Rose Bowl, it's a huge public school that kids all over dream of attending, they're in the most populous county in the country, USC football has tons of fans and has always been an attendance powerhouse (if a somewhat fickle one, admittedly), where the heck are all the UCLA fans?
The rose bowl is almost 30 miles from campus and that’s Los Angeles traffic to add on. So students are - for the most part - dealing with a lot to get out there. Other people in and around LA care more about USC than UCLA.

LOTTA UIUC GRADS in socal. I genuinely think theres a good chance you hear some “I-L-L” chants on the broadcast.
 
#133      
This week's opponent is undefeated at 9-0; nationally ranked #4; and, they have sole possession of 1st place in the Big Ten Conference. Oh, and we have to play them on their home turf.

It seems daunting, but I'm confident this week that we can cover the 10-point spread. Just not certain we can win the game. But with that said, I'm not going to doubt Bret given the impressive 4-game streak we're on, as we ride this magnificent (and unanticipated) defensive turnaround.

23 ILL
20 UCLA


(9-0 vs the spread; 6-3 in projecting the winner. I've missed the Duke, Purdue and Michigan State games.)

I-L-L !!!!!
 
#138      
Stop me if you've heard this before but I'm feeling cautiously optimistic. Dieffenbach looks like the real deal and hits his deep balls, and obviously they have a good defense and run game, but I think KH will come to play. Cali kid playing in the Rose Bowl. Praying the rain holds off!!!
 
#140      
When Oregon was not playing well and they threw 7 picks. Whats sad is that UCLA only scored 17 points. We are playing with House money and all the pressure is on UCLA. Plus they have Michigan on the road the next week. They may be over looking us to get to get a win in the Bug House.
Can I adopt this? I like it. I like it a lot
 
#141      
Stop me if you've heard this before but I'm feeling cautiously optimistic. Dieffenbach looks like the real deal and hits his deep balls, and obviously they have a good defense and run game, but I think KH will come to play. Cali kid playing in the Rose Bowl. Praying the rain holds off!!!
Rain is interesting. Generally it benefits the slower more physical team not reliant on quick strike offense. Rain might honestly be beneficial to us.
 
#144      
How we play the 1st half will completely decide this game in my opinion. If we can avoid getting rolled early and keep it within a possession at halftime, my gut feel is we win the game. The pressure will start feeling like a vice on UCLA the longer we stick around and Bret is one of the best coaches in the country when it comes to winning on the final possession.

In years past, our biggest problem during the Bret era in big games is getting blitzed early, compounding errors with turnovers, penalties, and miscommunication and we’re down multiple scores before we even have time to breathe. We avoid that in this one and I really think we can shock the world.

And what gives me more hope is that I feel that the two best games we’ve played this season were against Oregon and OSU, the 2 best teams we’ve played. Come out with fire and physicality, limit big plays, and let’s win a freakin Rose Bowl!
 
#145      
How we play the 1st half will completely decide this game in my opinion. If we can avoid getting rolled early and keep it within a possession at halftime, my gut feel is we win the game. The pressure will start feeling like a vice on UCLA the longer we stick around and Bret is one of the best coaches in the country when it comes to winning on the final possession.

In years past, our biggest problem during the Bret era in big games is getting blitzed early, compounding errors with turnovers, penalties, and miscommunication and we’re down multiple scores before we even have time to breathe. We avoid that in this one and I really think we can shock the world.

And what gives me more hope is that I feel that the two best games we’ve played this season were against Oregon and OSU, the 2 best teams we’ve played. Come out with fire and physicality, limit big plays, and let’s win a freakin Rose Bowl!
Actually UCLA has been separating from other teams in the 4th quarter. I don't have the exact stats on-hand, but I believe they are #1 among Power 4 Teams in 4th quarter scoring differential versus their opponents. So better if Bret finds a way to build a good size lead early. Otherwise, likely win #10 for UCLA.
 
#146      
Actually UCLA has been separating from other teams in the 4th quarter. I don't have the exact stats on-hand, but I believe they are #1 among Power 4 Teams in 4th quarter scoring differential versus their opponents. So better if Bret finds a way to build a good size lead early. Otherwise, likely win #10 for UCLA.
I don't necessarily disagree with your point, but I'll add more context.

UCLA has +71 point differential on the season in the 4th quarter. I don't know where that ranks nationally, but likely towards the top.

However, that point differential is almost exclusively driven by turnovers. On the season, UCLA has forced 11 4th quarter turnovers (Connelly's formula has each turnover worth +5 points, so 11 turnovers is +55 of the +71 points). 11 turnovers in one quarter each game is incredible. We've forced 6 total so far.

So if we take care of the ball in the 4th quarter and we're within striking distance, I like our chances.

To add to that, turnovers are definitely something to watch. UCLA has forced 27, yet we've only given up 6.
 
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