Answers, Part XVI

In terms of just numbers , UCLA Football has 85 scholarship players on it's roster . Of those 85 players how many in your opinion, do not belong on a Pac-10 roster ?
On a Pac-10 roster? At least 15 players. At a school that wants to be a top player in the conference, at least 30.

Wasn't Toledo really the one who "cratered" the program? 4-7 in 99, 6-6 in 2000, horrible collapse down the stretch in 2001 (incl 27 zip), and then got PUNKED by CU, sc and WSU in 2002. Dorrell just couldn't dig out from under the wreckage.
Toledo did not leave the program in very good shape, but the overall talent level was superior to what it is now. Dorrell didn't just fail to dig out from under the wreckage, he piled more on.

Will Neuheisel be able to? Or is he hosed as well?
I think he will get out of it to some degree, but unless the administration changes its policies on recruits, it will be nearly impossible to compete year-in, year-out.

Of the 4 Pac-10 teams that lost to MWC teams last week, who will have the best record against the other 3 so it could be properly crowned as the winner of the losers?
This one made me chuckle, but now I actually have to think. I'll say Arizona State, because that was the most stunning loss (not by score) of them all. The Sun Devils were the only ones playing at home, but they are still the most talented of the four.

how was last week's (prior to byu) practice? it seems in years past after one of these letdowns everyone laments that practice was not as good as everyone originally said it was before the game. was that the case or did we just lay an egg despite solid practices?
I thought practice was a problem, and I know coach Rick Neuheisel brought it up three times after the first four practices following the Tennessee game.

how has al verner responded this week after being handled by collie and hall last week? a cb's confidence is such a huge part of their game, has his been shaken?
He says he is fine. I will take a wait and see attitude. I think he needs to get off to a good start, or it could snowball.

In terms of recruiting, at this stage in the game, do you see a positive or negligible difference between Neuheisel and Dorrell? (ie. Do you see a difference in reaction and relations bet RN and KD?)
Neuheisel is so much more outgoing and personable, but so much of recruiting is groundwork laid by the assistant coaches. It's too early to talk about differences in the final product.

do you see us signing any serviceable DTs in the 2009 class? Who are the DTs currently on the Coaching Staff's radar?
This question seems to come up every week. I don't know if UCLA signs any serviceable defensive tackles, and I do not believe they have offered scholarships to any.

any word on the recruiting efforts to get Devon Kennard, Manti Te'o and/or Jelani Jenkins? Do the Bruins have any connections at Punahou School to help them with Te'o??
Te'o is coming on an official visit, beginning today. The connection is Norm Chow, who coached high schools in Hawaii. I think UCLA's best chance is with Te'o, but I still don't think he winds up at UCLA. Kennard will be a tough get, and not sure about Jenkins.

Why in the heck hasn't Jonathan Franklin been given the ball yet? I understand the blocking thing but even two carries i mean come on. He's the fastest guy on the team. And what about Knox? Is Dean going to get some carries this weekend or is he still suffering from his ankle sprain?
Speed doesn't equate to success. It helps, but it is not the end-all, be-all. And Franklin hasn't carried yet because, in the eyes of the coaching staff, he is not ready and not performing better than the other guys in practice. And Knox is red-shirting and Dean is not expected to play because of an ankle injury.