No Coffin Corner for the Bruins

Before UCLA played one down in the 2000 season, the doomsday headline in the Saturday Times read, “Bruins’ Fall May Well Be Precipitous.” The subhead read, “Potential early losses to No. 3 Alabama and No. 6 Michigan could deeply impact UCLA’s season.”

Instead of having Kreskin write headlines, spend a few bucks and hire a real journalist.

JEFF GREEN

Long Beach

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DeShaun Foster: 42 carries, 187 running yards, 29 receiving, three touchdowns. Of the five headlines over the five articles about the UCLA victory over Alabama that appeared in my Sunday Times sports section, not one had Foster’s name in it.

Yes, the offensive line deserves kudos and attention. And extra portions of Mom’s blueberry pie, but Foster starred last Saturday.

Stanford’s Randy Fasani got his name in a headline, so did Michigan’s John Navarre. Right here in the L.A. Times, right here in Southern California. But DeShaun Foster? After his historical performance against the No. 3-ranked team in the nation? Nada. I’m not bucking to become his agent, but get real. If you folks controlled the election updates, would we know then who is running?

FRANK T. ARMSTRONG

Los Angeles

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After Scott Howard-Cooper ate his humble pie and helped Alabama into the hearse, he must have come to realize that the Southeastern Conference is the most overrated conference in college football. Every year, they put six or seven teams into bowl games, but they never play anyone other than their own conference and the patsies they schedule for nonconference games. Georgia Southern, Ball State, three-directional schools, etc. Other than Alabama and Tennessee, which others have ever even been out West?

MARSHALL JOHNSTON

Riverside

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Alas, The Times’ continued propaganda of the Trojans must come at the expense of the Bruins. After two weeks of cover stories about the Trojans and relegating the Bruins to page 7’s lower left-hand corner, the Bruins receive a cover page story. Of course, it poignantly waxed about their pending demise.

In light of the upset of Alabama, perhaps it would suit The Times’ staff if the Bruins were to play Cal State Northridge and even some Division II games to prepare them for the Pacific 10 season. Anyone care to recast their vote for the 5-6 record and 1-2 start?

ANDREW HWANG

West Los Angeles

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Did I read T.J. Simers column of Sept. 5 correctly? He makes statements, in the course of his job, that affect expectations about a football game. Then he goes to Las Vegas to (pretend to?) make a bet on that same game! Does T.J. stand for “Pete,” or did he just miss his opportunity with the Emulex stock?

PATRICK RYAN

Houston