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By Dave Consolazio and Sam Saig, December 29, 2009 8:44 am

EAGLEBANK BOWL
Washington, D.C.
UCLA Bruins (6-6) VS. Temple Owls (9-3)
Tuesday, December 29, 1:30 PM PST
Las Vegas Favorite: UCLA -4.5

Continue reading 'EagleBank Bowl: UCLA Bruins VS. Temple Owls'»

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By Dave Consolazio, December 8, 2009 3:01 pm

MAACO BOWL LAS VEGAS
Las Vegas, Nevada
#18 Oregon State Beavers (8-4) VS. #14 BYU Cougars (10-2)
Tuesday, December 22, 5:00 PM PST

SAN DIEGO COUNTY CREDIT UNION POINSETTIA BOWL
San Diego, California
#23 Utah Utes (9-3) VS. Cal Bears (8-4)
Wednesday, December 23, 5:00 PM PST

EMERALD BOWL
San Francisco, California
Boston College Eagles (8-4) VS. #24 USC Trojans (8-4)
Saturday, December 26, 5:00 PM PST

PACIFIC LIFE HOLIDAY BOWL
San Diego, California
#20 Arizona Wildcats (8-4) VS. #22 Nebraska Cornhuskers (9-4)
Wednesday, December 30, 5:00 PM PST

BRUT SUN BOWL
El Paso, Texas
Oklahoma Sooners (7-5) VS. #21 Stanford Cardinal (8-4)
Thursday, December 31, 11:00 AM PST

ROSE BOWL GAME PRESENTED BY CITI
Pasadena, California
#8 Ohio State Buckeyes (10-2) VS. #7 Oregon Ducks (10-2)
Friday, January 1, 1:30 PM PST

UCLA – *UCLA will receive invite to the EagleBank Bowl if Navy defeats Army

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By Dave Consolazio and Sam Saig, November 25, 2009 10:58 am

UCLA Bruins (6-5) vs. USC Trojans (7-3)
Saturday, November 28, 7:00 PM PST
Las Vegas Favorite: USC -13.0
*AllPac10 Game of the Week*

Continue reading 'Week 13 Game Matchup: UCLA Bruins VS. USC Trojans'»

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By Sam Saig, November 24, 2009 9:56 am

UCLA Bruins 6-5 Overall (3-5 Conference)

This Week’s Score: UCLA 23 – Arizona State 13

Next Week’s Opponent: @USC


Continue reading 'Pac-10 Week 12 Notes and Observations: UCLA Bruins'»

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By Dave Consolazio and Sam Saig, November 21, 2009 1:20 am

Arizona State Sun Devils (4-6) vs. UCLA Bruins (5-5)
Saturday, November 21, 1:00 PM PST
Las Vegas Favorite: UCLA -5.0

Continue reading 'Week 12 Game Matchup: Arizona State Sun Devils VS. UCLA Bruins'»

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By Dave Consolazio, November 18, 2009 11:40 am

UCLA Bruins 5-5 Overall (2-5 Conference)

This Week’s Score: UCLA 43 – Washington State 7

Next Week’s Opponent: Arizona State


Continue reading 'Pac-10 Week 11 Notes and Observations: UCLA Bruins'»

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By Brian Consolazio,

#1 Star: Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars
Alma Mater: UCLA
Stats (11/15): 24 Rushes for 123 Yards, 1 TD, 2 Receptions for 22 Yards

The Jacksonville Jaguars vs New York Jets turned out to be one of the best football games of the week, and Maurice Jones-Drew once again showed why he is one of the best running backs in the game leading his team to a 24 – 22 victory over the New York Jets in the Meadowlands.

Just three minutes into the game, Jones-Drew broke a 33 yard rush to the left side to give the Jaguars the early 7 – 0 lead. The game went back and forth throughout, and with the Jags trailing 22 – 21 with 5:04 left in the game, they started a drive that would prove to be the game winner.

Although Jones-Drew only had the one touchdown, his biggest play came right after the two minute warning when the Jags were at the Jets 10-yard line on 2nd and 6. Jones-Drew rushed up the middle for nine yards and took a knee at the Jets one to all but seal victory as the Jaguars were able to ice the game from there and kick a game winning field goal as time expired.

After the game, Jones-Drew apologized to his fantasy owners for not taking the easy touchdown that the Jets were giving him. He stated that the team always comes first, and that selfless play earned him the number one spot this week. If Jones-Drew continues to play this well, the Jags could potentially make a run at the Wild Card this year.

#2 Star: Steven Jackson, St Louis Rams
Alma Mater: Oregon State
Stats (11/15) 26 Rushes for 131 Yards, 1 TD, 9 Receptions for 45 Yards

With the St Louis Rams going up against the New Orleans Saints this weekend, it looked as though the Saints would breeze to another win and stay undefeated through their first nine games. Although they did end up winning the game, Steven Jackson and the Rams made sure that it wouldn’t be easy for them.

Steven Jackson finished the game with the third most rushing yards of the week, and he seemed to rush at will on the Saints all game long with his five yard average. His longest rush of the game came on the second play of the game (30 yards) and set the tone for the rest of the way. With 55 seconds left in the first half down 14 – 7, Steven Jackson rushed to the right for a two yard TD to tie the game up before half time.

It was another frustrating loss for the Rams, but they have to have some confidence going into their game next week against the Arizona Cardinals after proving this week that they can hang against anyone.

#3 Star: Justin Forsett, Seattle Seahawks
Alma Mater: Cal
Stats (11/15) 17 Rushes for 123 Yards, 1 TD, 5 Receptions for 26 Yards

Justin Forsett rounds out the top three this week and is also the third running back to make the list. With Julius Jones out with a chest injury, Forsett finally got his chance to start his first game of the year and was able to shine throughout.

Forsett’s 7.2 yards per carry was best in the league this week among running backs who rushed 15 times or more, and he showed his explosive speed and breakout ability every time he touched the ball. Justin Forsett’s 11-yard touchdown run with 20 seconds left in the first quarter topped off an impressive 99-yard drive for the Seahawks, and even though they lost the game, Forsett was able to get a career high in rushing yards with 123.

I’m not sure how long Julius Jones is supposed to be out, but I think Justin Forsett guaranteed himself a lot more carries the rest of the way even if he splits time with Jones. This was a promising start for the Seahawks and Forsett, and I look for them to be able to build on Forsett’s potential and be a fun team to watch for the remainder of the year.

Honorable Mentions:

Oregon State’s TJ Houshmandzadeh (9 Receptions for 165 Yards)
Stanford’s Oshiomogho Atogwe (5 Tackles, 1 INT, 1 FF, 1 Pass Deflection)
Oregon State’s Sabby Piscitelli (9 Tackles, 1 FF)
Arizona’s Gilbert Arenas (20.0 Pts, 5.5 Rebs, 9.0 Asts, 2.5 Stls, 7.0 TOs, 37% FG Pct)
UCLA’s Baron Davis (19.3 Pts, 5.0 Rebs, 7.3 Asts, 2.3 Stls, 2.7 TOs, 40% FG Pct)

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By Dave Consolazio, November 17, 2009 4:49 am

USC’S REIGN AT THE TOP IS OVER – FOR NOW

Ding Dong’ the merry-oh, sing it high, sing it low.
Let them know
The Wicked Witch is dead!

For some reason, this song was running through my head as I watched Stanford pummel USC.

For Trojans fans, it has been a fantastic ride for the last seven years. So fantastic, in fact, that Trojan fans are completely guilty of taking it for granted. Every single one of them (myself, included).

Virtually every hiccup along the way has cost USC a trip to the National Championship, which in turn turned the Rose Bowl into a consolation prize of sorts. USC fans are always disappointed to “only” win the Pac-10 and “only” go to the Rose Bowl.

And that’s one of the reasons why fans around the conference have hated the USC Trojans and their fans for the better part of a decade now, and as Stanford drove the final nail into the coffin that Washington had opened and Oregon had closed, there is plenty of reason for the rest of the conference to celebrate.

A friend of mine asked me, “Dave, you know your Pac-10; Is USC done for? I mean, I know they are this season, but are they done for good?”

I’m surprised at how many people are living in the moment so badly that they are actually asking this question. NO, USC isn’t done for good. They still have one of the best coaches in the country and a never-ending stable of 4 and 5-star talent. They will be a serious contender for the Pac-10 title next year, as well as the years to come.

The beauty, though, is that they won’t be the only serious contender. 2009 will not mark the beginning of the end of USC as a football power; but it will mark the end of their stranglehold over the rest of the conference.

Continue reading 'The Stanford Cardinal end the USC Trojans reign; and why the Pac-10 is the best conference in college football'»

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By Dave Consolazio and Sam Saig, November 13, 2009 8:31 pm

UCLA Bruins (4-5) vs. Washington State Cougars (1-8)
Saturday, November 14, 12:30 PM PST
Las Vegas Favorite: UCLA -18.0

Continue reading 'Week 11 Game Matchup: UCLA Bruins VS. Washington State Cougars'»

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By Dave Consolazio, November 11, 2009 7:56 am

UCLA Bruins 4-5 Overall (1-5 Conference)

This Week’s Score: UCLA 24 – Washington 23

Next Week’s Opponent: @Washington State


Continue reading 'Pac-10 Week 10 Notes and Observations: UCLA Bruins'»

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By Brian Consolazio,

#1 Star: Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
Alma Mater: UCLA
Stats (11/3 – 11/8): 20.7 Ppg, 5.3 Rebs, 8.0 Asts, 1.0 Stls, 49% FG Pct , 1.3 3 Pters

With the Oklahoma City Thunder off to a somewhat hot start of 3-3 (they hadn’t won their third game until game 27 last year), they can thank the solid play of second year point guard Russell Westbrook. Although only going 1-2 last week, the Thunder did get a big win against the Orlando Magic, and Westbrook led the Thunder in assists in all three games.

On November 6th against the Houston Rockets, Westbrook put up his best game of the week (in a losing effort) going 14 for 25 from the field with a team high 33 points and team high seven assists. In the lone win for the Thunder, on November 8th against the Orlando Magic, Westbrook notched his third double-double of the season with 17 points and 10 assists.

I still wouldn’t consider the Oklahoma City Thunder any threat to make the playoffs in the Western Conference this year, but with their run and gun style and Russell Westbrook maturing into a speedy and smart point guard, they should at least be exciting to watch this year.

#2 Star: Matt Cassel
Alma Mater: USC
Stats (11/8): 23 for 39, 262 Yards 2 TDs 0 INTs, 96.3 QB Rating

With all the talk this week about Larry Johnson getting suspended by the Kansas City Chiefs, not many people were giving them much of a chance to beat the Jacksonville Jaguars. Although the Chiefs (1-7) did end up coming up a little short on Sunday, they were reminded that they have a pretty good quarterback on their team when given the chance to throw the ball more.

Down 24 – 6 with 4:26 to go, Cassel showed an amazing no-quit attitude and did everything he possibly could to get his team back in the game. Cassel’s biggest play came with 2:32 left in the game when he connected with Chris Chambers for a 54-yard touchdown pass down the right side of the field. Moments later, after an onside kick recovered by the Chiefs, Cassel again drovethe Chiefs down the field and completed a five yard pass to Chambers to make it 24 – 21 (Cassel completed the two point conversion as well). Matt Cassel also completed passes to nine different receivers in the game, making it difficult for the Jaguars to know who to defend.

Although the Chiefs weren’t able to complete the comeback, many good things can be taken from this game. Maybe with Larry Johnson out of the lineup the Chiefs will start to focus on throwing the ball a little more, and Cassel will be able to show why he got paid so much money in the off-season to be the starter of this team.

#3 Star: Maurice Jones-Drew
Alma Mater: UCLA
Stats (11/8): 29 Rushes for 97 Yards, 1 TD, 3 Receptions for 37 Yards

After another upsetting loss for the Jacksonville Jaguars last week against the 0-6 Titans, they bounced back by yet again giving most of the workload to Maurice Jones-Drew. His 32 total touches made up for 47% of the Jaguars total plays ran, and proved once again that when he is given the ball a lot, good things are going to happen.

With the Jaguars up 17 – 6 late in the fourth quarter, Maurice Jones-Drew struck for his lone touchdown bursting up the middle for a 10 yard gain making it 24 – 6. This proved to be the game winning touchdown for the Jaguars, and his nine yard rush with 55 seconds left iced the game officially for Jacksonville, who moved to 4 – 4 on the year.

Eight Games into the season we are all starting to see a very noticeable pattern with the success of the Jacksonville Jaguars, and how their star running back Maurice Jones-Drew performs. If they have any chance of going into New York and beating the Jets, they are going to need to continue to give Maurice Jones-Drew the majority of the touches and see where he can take them.

Honorable Mentions:

Stanford’s Brook Lopez (19.0 Ppg, 8.7 Rebs, 1.3 Asts, 1.7 Blks, 53% FG Pct)
USC’s Brian Cushing (12 Tackles, 1 Pass Deflection)
USC’s Terrell Thomas (9 Tackles, 1 INT, 1 Pass Deflection)
Arizona’s Andre Iguodala (20.3 Ppg, 5.0 Rebs, 3.0 Asts, 2.0 Stls, 54% FG Pct)
Stanford’s Greg Camarillo (5 Receptions for 71 Yards)

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By Dave Consolazio and Sam Saig, November 7, 2009 4:25 am

Washington Huskies (3-5) vs. UCLA Bruins (3-5)
Saturday, November 7, 1:30 PM PST
Las Vegas Favorite: UCLA -4.0

Continue reading 'Week 10 Game Matchup: Washington Huskies VS. UCLA Bruins'»

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By Sam Saig, November 5, 2009 7:01 pm

State of the Program

A new era begins for UCLA basketball this season. For the first time in four years, the Bruins will be without the fantastic trio of Darren Collison, Josh Shipp, and Alfred Aboya; a group that helped UCLA reach three final fours. Head coach Ben Howland will also have to replace first round pick Jrue Holiday, who declared for the NBA Draft after one season in Westwood. While Holiday may have underachieved last season, he was a shutdown defender who could have seamlessly offset the loss of Collison at point guard.

Despite all of the key departures, this is still UCLA. Howland has stockpiled excellent young talent at all positions, and if everything comes together, the Bruins will contend for another Pac-10 title. Certainly the expectations are lower for this team, but if you believe in Ben Howland’s coaching ability, then you should believe in the 2009-10 Bruins.

Continue reading 'Pac-10 Basketball Preview – UCLA Bruins'»

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By Dave Consolazio, November 4, 2009 4:51 pm

UCLA Bruins 3-5 Overall (0-5 Conference)

This Week’s Score: Oregon State 26 – UCLA 19

Next Week’s Opponent: Washington


Continue reading 'Pac-10 Week 9 Notes and Observations: UCLA Bruins'»

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By Brian Consolazio, November 3, 2009 2:47 pm

#1 Star: Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies
Alma Mater: UCLA
Stats (10/28 – 11/2) : 6 for 18, 6 Runs, 5 HRs, 8 RBIs, 1 SB, .333 avg

With the Philadelphia Phillies playing on the biggest stage in baseball, the World Series, they are getting exactly what they need out of their all-star second basemen Chase Utley. Although down in the series three games to two right now, you certainly can’t fault Utley. His five home runs have tied Reggie Jackson’s 1977 record for most in a World Series.

Chase Utley had three multi-hit games (games one, four and five), two multi-home run games (one and five), and three games where he has recorded at least two RBIs (one, four and five). In Game One, in his second at bat against CC Sabathia, Utley homered to right field to give the Phillies a 1 – 0 lead. In his next at bat in the sixth inning, he again blasted one over the right field wall that extended the Phillies lead to 2 – 0 and turned out to be the game winning run.

In game five, with the Phillies down 1 – 0 in the bottom of the first, Utley delivered again, this time a three run shot into right field. The Phillies never looked back, and Utley’s insurance home run in the bottom of the seventh (giving the Phillies a 7 – 2 lead) ended up being the game winning run again.

The Phillies still have a long way to go if they are going to win the World Series, but if anyone is making things difficult on the Yankees, it’s Chase Utley. He is putting together an MVP-like series and would very likely win the award if the Phillies can somehow come back and win it all.

#2 Star: Gilbert Arenas
Alma Mater: Arizona
Stats (10/27 to 10/31): (Per-Game Averages) 28.0 Points, 1.7 Rebounds, 6.7 Assists, 1.0 Steals, 2.3 3-Pointers, 50% FG PCT

The Washington Wizards were a pathetic 19-63 last year (tied for second worst in the NBA) with tons of questions surrounding the team. Will Gilbert Arenas be able to get back to his 2006-07 form after playing a combined 15 games the last two years? Or will the Wizards and Arenas continue to struggle and be one of the worst teams in the league?

Of course the health question cannot be answered in the first week of the season, but so far so good for Gilbert Arenas and the Wizards. The Wizards are 2-1 this season, and Gilbert Arenas has been leading the way. Arenas has led the Wizards in points in all three games this year, and his best game this week came on Halloween Night when he was 9 for 13 shooting, 11 for 12 from the line, 3 for 4 from behind the arc, and had 32 points and 7 assists in a 123 – 104 win over the New Jersey Nets.

The Wizard’s success this season starts and ends with Agent 0. If he can stay healthy for the entire season (knock on wood), the Wizards should be a respectable team throughout the year and be a surprise team in the East after last year’s horrible season.

#3 Star: Steven Jackson
Alma Mater: Oregon State
Stats (11/1): 22 Rushes for 149 Yards, 1 TD, 3 Receptions for 17 Yards

The St Louis Rams were 0-7 going into their week eight match up with the Detroit Lions. Steven Jackson almost single-handedly made sure they didn’t fall to 0-8 with his huge game in the 17 – 10 St Louis Rams victory.

With the game tied at 10 – 10 with 1:38 left in the game, Steven Jackson put an exclamation point on the game when he broke a 25-yard run to the right side to give the Rams a 17 – 10 lead. This was the first Rams rushing touchdown of the season and it provided the game-winning score.

Slowly but surely, Steven Jackson has been putting together one of the most underrated performances of the year. With these 149 yards he is now tied for second in the NFL in rushing (784 yards), and although he only has one touch down, he is still putting up great numbers with a team that everyone knows is going to run the ball as much as possible. The Rams probably wont win many more games this year, but I really respect the effort Steven Jackson has put together all year and am glad that he is at least able to celebrate this one.

Honorable Mentions:

Cal’s Aaron Rodgers (17 for 28, 287 Yards 3 TDs 0 INTs, 5 Rushes 52 Yards, 108.5 Rating)
UCLA’s Maurice Jones-Drew (8 Rushes for 177 Yards, 2 TDs)
USC’s Mark Sanchez (20 for 35, 265 Yards 2 TDs 0 INTs, 4 Rushes 6 Yards 1 TD, 100.3 Rating)
Washington’s Brandon Roy (27.0 Pts, 4.8 REBs, 4.8 ASTs, 2.0 3-Pointers, 39% FG PCT)
Oregon’s Aaron Brooks (21.0 Pts, 3.0 REBs, 8.5 ASTs, 1.0 STLs, 2.3 3-Pointers, 50% FG PCT)