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Yahoo! Sports - Aug 29, 2010
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UCLA Team Report
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| The expectations are all over the place for UCLA.
The Bruins are clearly a team on the rise, thanks to three standout recruiting classes from coach Rick Neuheisel ... plus the troubles at crosstown rival USC can't help but boost UCLA's stature.
But is now the time for the Bruins?
They were picked eighth in the Pac-10 media poll, but they were also first on one of the 35 ballots. A rogue voter? Perhaps. But in this wide-open Pac-10, there isn't a Grand Canyon-sized gap from first to eighth, so the Bruins have a fighting chance in 2010—even if 2011 seems more like their target season.
The Bruins have only about four senior starters, including All-American kicker Kai Forbath, but they have reasonable experience throughout the two deep. |
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Yahoo! Sports - Aug 29, 2010
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USC Team Report
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| There are so many major storylines swirling around the USC program. New coach Lane Kiffin. A 2010 postseason ban. A future loss of scholarships. A new athletic director. Being stripped of national titles because of violations centered on former Trojan Reggie Bush.
That's some of what is going on.
The thing this group of Trojans needs most of all is a game. That's the relief they'll get when they open the season Thursday night against Hawaii.
"There's a lot of motivation for these guys," Kiffin told the Orange County Register.
"They've been through a lot. I've said it before; the wrong people are being punished. You've got all these players getting on a plane to Hawaii that can't play in a bowl game that had nothing to do with this, that weren't even here. |
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Los Angeles Times - Aug 29, 2010
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Hawaii's coach has plenty riding on USC game
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Things haven't gone smoothly for Greg McMackin and the Warriors the last two years, and a good showing against the Trojans on Thursday would help restore fans' faith in the program.
Things haven't gone smoothly for Greg McMackin and the Warriors the last two years, and a good showing against the Trojans on Thursday would help restore fans' faith in the program.
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Yahoo! Sports - Aug 29, 2010
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USC safety Hall suspended indefinitely by Kiffin
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| Southern California freshman safety Patrick Hall has been suspended indefinitely for failing to meet standards set out by coach Lane Kiffin. Kiffin said the punishment was not the result of an isolated incident but rather a "combination of everything coming together." Hall, a member of the 2009 recruiting class, did not see action last season because of injuries and academic issues. |
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Los Angeles Times - Aug 28, 2010
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Instead of taking his leave, USC tailback Marc Tyler stayed and took a starting job
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The often-injured junior was at the bottom of the depth chart at start of training camp, and admits he considered leaving. At the urging of his father, former NFL running back Wendell Tyler, he stuck it out, and now he's been chosen to start the season opener.
Marc Tyler went from worst to first in less than a month.
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Los Angeles Times - Aug 28, 2010
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There's nothing prototypical about UCLA's Sean Westgate
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Although only 5 feet 11 and 217 pounds, he continues to impress coaches and teammates with his play at linebacker during training camp.
Although only 5 feet 11 and 217 pounds, he continues to impress coaches and teammates with his play at linebacker during training camp.
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Los Angeles Times - Aug 28, 2010
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Less gush, more push for USC's Matt Barkley
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Trojans Coach Lane Kiffin likes his sophomore quarterback, but he has tried to make him better.
Trojans Coach Lane Kiffin likes his sophomore quarterback, but he has tried to make him better.
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Yahoo! Sports - Aug 28, 2010
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Tyler to start at tailback for USC
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| Marc Tyler will be the starting running back for Southern California's season opener against Hawaii on Thursday. The junior beat out the team's top returning rusher in senior Allen Bradford for the job. Tyler missed all but one game last season due to a toe injury, but is in his best shape in years after dropping 15 pounds since spring ball. |
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Los Angeles Times - Aug 27, 2010
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Keys to the USC football kingdom are being handed to freshmen
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At least five first-year players are expected to have prominent roles in the season opener Thursday at Hawaii, with two, receiver Robert Woods and cornerback Nickell Robey, slated to start. Get used to it, Coach Lane Kiffin says.
Robert Woods came to USC confident that he would play and contribute right away.
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