KD keeps saying Osaar Rasshan is going to be more involved in the offense this season but so far it's been nothing for him. Why do you think KD says these things and then they don't happen?
That is a great mystery, and one I’ve watched go on for four-plus seasons now.

Have you heard any talk/rumors about the Pac-10 (Tom Hansen, ugh!) trying to improve their ridiculously crappy bowl game commitments in the next few years?
I know the Pac-10 would like to, but bowls do not want the Pac-10 because the schools have a reputation for not traveling well, and there is not a big Pac-10 following across the country like some of the other conferences.

How would you compare the average UCLA fan to the average Rutgers fan?
I’ll just use this example: Now that Rutgers is good, when they play big games, the only time the fans sit down is during TV timeouts. I went to Rutgers’ bowl games the last two years, and know that the enthusiasm is through the roof. Having grown up in the Northeast, being loud and obnoxious is part of being a fan, for good and bad, but I find fans across the country to be more passionate than in SoCal. (And, yes, I know there is a lot more to do here, but that wasn’t part of the question).

How do you feel about our Defensive line play this year? What's your take on our DE given we don't have Hickman this year?
It has been adequate. I talked to defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker about this earlier in the week, and he likes the play he is getting from DE Bruce Davis. DT Kevin Brown is doing well, and DT Jess Ward played a solid game against Washington. UCLA needs more out of its other DE, which is why Korey Bosworth is starting this week. As for the loss of Hickman, it hurts because he was quick and could rush the passer. Nobody has taken over that role this season.

How do you feel about our cornerback play? Trey Brown seems to be doing great but what is your take on Verner and/or Van?
You never have to worry about Brown. He always gets the job done, although it always isn’t pretty. He knows how to make plays. But the other CB spot is a big concern. They keep switching back and forth as Walker looks for an answer in that position. Both are talented and bring different things, but if one guy was knocking Walker’s socks off, the other would not be playing

To me, DE and Cornerback play is critical in the pass happy PAC-10 so I wanted your insight into our defense "at the edges (DE/Cornerback)" Any improvements or regressions from last years play to your eyes so far this season?
Teams are picking on Van and Verner, and will continue to do so until one (or both) prove they can be consistently good. That is why Trey Brown isn’t as visible as he could be, although Walker has made a move to try and match him up against the other’s teams’ best receivers on occasion. As far as DE, I think UCLA lacks speed outside of Davis, which is why Walker is still experiment there.

How capable, really, is McLeod as a starter, in your opinion, from what you've seen of him?
Tough question because I’ve never seen him throw a pass in a game. As with any quarterback with limited reps in practice, not to mention being third on the depth chart, I don’t think it would be a good situation if he was forced into a game and had to throw the ball for UCLA to win.

I wanted to point out an error on the Daily News site, a caption under a photo of Austin running with the ball on that long pass play incorrectly states that he received the pass from Ryan Graves, it was Brandon Breazell that threw the pass.
Ok. Since I have nothing to do with that, email gene.warnick@dailynews.com if you must. He is the sports editor.

can you let us know what backups are starting to push the 1st teamers for more playing time?what 2nd teamers stand out in practice?
Well, I think you’ll see it this week since Aleksey Lanis is starting ahead of Micah Kia at left tackle this week, Kyle Bosworth is starting ahead of Aaron Whittington at strong-side linebacker and Korey Bosworth is starting ahead of Tom Blake and Nikola Dragovic at defensive end. As for second-teamers, I still like Osaar Rasshan at receiver, and keep an eye on Micah Reed, who is splitting time between center and left guard.