What was their excuse for losing to Texas in the 2006 Rose Bowl? They were playing in their own backyard and still didn't win. I was there with some friends from Austin and at least half of the crowd was wearing burnt orange.

As far as #1, I'd prefer USC NOT be ranked there. However, we are returning 18 players from last year including the entire starting defense (minus sometime starting LB Oscar Lua) so there is some reason for it. It's only a pre-season ranking anyway, nothing to really hang your hat on.

Sure some of the media will spin the story a number of ways. The fans? I don't know ANY including myself who would whine about location (we travel extremely well particularly to great cities). In fact, I'd rather play the game in Baton Rouge than NOLA. If we lose, we lose. I'll be the first to offer congratulations. If we win, what will Tiger fans say?

I can't confirm that off the top of my head but I'll get back to you. The Coliseum quit selling alcohol completely last season and were the last Pac10 team to do so.

You cheated.:hihi: Just kidding, we are usually most gracious losers when we don't get the shaft from officials.

Simple. Vince Young. Have to give credit where it's due.

Technically speaking, the Rose Bowl is ucla's backyard, hence all the burnt orange. They haven't stopped wearing it yet.

Just making a reference to ucla's adoption of Texas gear since that game. USC has always considered the Rose Bowl a 2nd home. Didn't help us that night though.

I am wondering why your football team didnt travel well to the UCLA game last year. It being such a great city and all.

:hihi: :hihi:

1/2 the team did travel well. The D held them to 13 points, 1 TD and 2 FG's. Under normal circumstances that should have been enough. It was our O Line and our inability to score in the Red Zone that kept us from a win.

Booty was 23 of 39 for 274, ucla fumbled the ball 3x, and our time of possession was 32 to 28. However, ucla was 3-3 in the Red and we were only 1-2. We managed only 55 yards on the ground. Their D played lights out.

Strange though. Their D went to sleep against the Noles in the nut bowl while our O Line and company played a great game against Meatchicken at the same Rose Bowl just a few weeks later.

It's football...........stuff happens.