UCLA-USC Fan Assesses the Recent Upset at the Rose Bowl

I teach at UCLA and my Ph.D. is from USC, where I have also taught, so you can imagine how conflicted I am on game day. The UCLA-USC cross-town rivalry has led to divorces, and worse. But this odd straddling of two campuses, I like to think, gives me a certain degree of distance, and objectivity. So, here''s my analysis of USC''s recent loss to the Bruins of UCLA.

I teach at UCLA and my Ph.D. is from USC, where I have also taught, so you can imagine how conflicted I am on game day. The UCLA-USC cross-town rivalry has led to divorces, and worse. But this odd straddling of two campuses, I like to think, gives me a certain degree of distance, and objectivity. So, here?s my analysis of USC?s recent loss to the Bruins of UCLA. (1) USC was overrated after the loss to Oregon State. It shouldn?t have gone to the championship game even if it beat the Bruins.

(2) How can you win a national championship with a quarterback that can?t run and who twists his ankle all by himself and who throws interceptions at all of the worst times?

(3) Pete Carroll is obviously a tremendous all-around coach but he failed to get the Trojans up for the game against the Bruins. They looked tired and flat as if they didn?t have to try and they would still win.

(4) Give credit to UCLA. They played even better defense than USC, which seems impossible.

(5) More credit is due to UCLA. They determined Booty, USC?s quarterback, is the weak link and they tugged on it all day long in the Rose Bowl.

In this rivalry each team has a chance to get cocky, overconfident. The Bruins won 8 in a row; then USC won 7 in a row.

All I know, is whoever wins, I do, too.

And this is the very best way to keep the game in perspective!

Best-selling author of 12 books and more than 1,000 articles, Dr. Gary S. Goodman is considered "The Gold Standard" in negotiation, sales development, customer service, and telephone effectiveness. Top-rated as a speaker, seminar leader, and consultant, his clients extend across the globe and the organizational spectrum, from the Fortune 1000 to small businesses. He can be reached at: [e-mail].