Bruin Fans Might Have Seen It Coming

There’s a chill in the air and the leaves are falling. Grocery store freezers are filled with turkeys; shelves are stocked with stuffing mix and mincemeat. Pilgrim and turkey cutouts adorn windowsills and doors. UCLA’s football team was humiliated, 52-14. It must be November.

DAVID PAGE

Ventura

*

It was the late coach Red Sanders who said:

The essence of offense is blocking.

The essence of defense is tackling.

The essence of UCLA’s tackling is the essence of barnyard.

CHARLES L. CASTAGNA

Seal Beach

*

“UCLA Ruins?” Man, you sportswriters at The Times are clever. How long did it take Plaschke and the gang to conjure up that gem?

Yes, the Bruins’ performance was pathetic. Yes, their record is no longer perfect. But they are still 8-1 and a win over even more inconsistent Arizona State could put them right where they want to be: a chance to play spoiler against the No. 1 team in college football and a shot at the Pac-10 crown (with a possible BCS bowl bid to boot.)

PATRICK MCMAHON

Manhattan Beach

Editor’s note: Bill Plaschke does not write the headlines.

*

Had you told me in August that the Bruins would be 8-1, I would have been overjoyed. Now, after watching as embarrassing a performance as was ever turned in by a top-five team, I just have a bad taste in my mouth. The only good thing was laundry savings, because they didn’t get their uniforms dirty.

RICHARD TURNER

Fontana

*

As a UCLA alum and fan, I beg Coach Pete Carroll to have mercy when his Trojans play the Bruins. One only has to compare scores against common opponents to see that USC and UCLA are really not in the same league.

WAYNE M. CUTLER

Los Angeles

*

T.J. Simers, in name-calling the UCLA coach Karl “Dullard” and referring to the team as the “Frauds,” you once again show your lack of class and ignorance of football.

As a psychotherapist, I have to say you need professional help.

ROBERT L. WOO

Huntington Beach