UCLA VS. UW 11/15 AND TODAYS FEATURE CITY, SEATTLE

OK, this is the game that both UCLA and UW Huskies fans have been waiting for all year. OK, that might be exaggerating things a bit, with both teams a combined 3-15. But yeah, who can forget the return of former UW head coach Rick Neuhiesel. This will be Neuheisels first return to the Emerald City since his unceremonious dismissal after the 2002 season when he participated in, of all things, the MARCH MADNESS POOL !!!!! ( For crying out loud, god forbid anyone in their right mind participate in the March Madness Pool !!! ) Ironically, 2002 would be the last winning season the Dawgs would achieve. In a twist of fate, 2002 would also be the last season for former UCLA head coach Bob Toledo. Both programs have gone through 2 different coaches since, with the Dawgs looking for a 3rd come next year. Both these programs were once proud football programs. What has happened to both teams since ? For UCLA, it's been 10 years now ( Has it been that long ? ) since football was truly relevant. Heck, in 1998, the football team, led by once highly touted QB Cade McNown, actually ruled the campus over the basketball team ( Strange huh ? ) The 1998 edition had won 20 consecutive games dating back to 1997 and was one win away from playing in the first ever BCS Bowl Championship game, until they ran until a Hurricane in Miami named Edgerrin James ( I still think that was the game that opened the door for him to make the big buck$ ). Some Bruin followers still believe that the program has not recovered from that game.

As for the Huskies, the 2000 team was probably the last great Husky team, although according to a series run by the Seattle Times, the '00 team had it's demons. UCLA has not be immune to the law either ( Remember the handicapped parking scandal in 1999 ? )

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004147443_rboverview27m0.html

It's a shame that these once proud programs have fallen from glory in such a swift time. I remember when these games actually meant something, especially in the 90's. 5 of my favorite UCLA-UW games were , in the following order...

5. 1999- UCLA 23 UW 20 In the 2nd to final game of the season, the Huskies need only to win out their final 2 games to earn a Rose Bowl berth. However, a struggling UCLA team finds a way to pull this one off, winning in OT on a Chris Griffin field goal. The Huskies end up going to the Holiday Bowl, and my Husky pal, Victoria, peeved that we denied her Dawgs a Rose Bowl berth, dragged me to San Diego for the game.

4. 1997- UCLA 52 UW 28 Again, in the 2nd to final game of the season, UW again only needs to win their final 2 games for a Rose Bowl berth. The Bruins, on the other hand, had to beat win out and hope that UW would beat the WSU Cougars in the following weeks Apple Cup game. UW carried a 3 game winning streak against the Bruins, but this would be the Cade McNown-Skip Hicks show as UCLA won going away. Unfortunately, while we were beating USC for the 7th straight year the following week ( Yes folks, there was a time when UCLA actually dominated USC in football winning 8 straight from 1991-1998. Oh how that too seems like a distant memory...)

3. 1998- Again, in the 2nd to final game, this time of the Pac-10 season for the Bruins, UCLA behind 5 Chris Sailor field goals, clinches their 2nd consecutive Pac-10 title, 36-24. This game has special meaning for me in that it was my first ever long distance road trip, and I was really impressed by the beauty of the surroundings of Husky Stadium.

2. 1993- The Huskies came into this game as the 3 time Pac-10 champ, however, were ineligible for bowl play that season. ( Some of you Huskies fans might remember the shirts that read " The Pac-9, if you can't beat 'em, disqualify 'em ). UCLA quickly fell behind 16-0 thanks to a couple of TD'S be Napoleon Kaufman and a safety. However, on the final play of the first quarter,from their own 4 yard line, UCLA QB Wayne Cook picked up the blitz and threw a quick slant to JJ Stokes, and after two Huskies collided into each other, there was nothing but grass ahead and from there it was the JJ Stokes show. UCLA would prevail 39-25, and would later win the PAC-10 title and Rose Bowl berth, their first Rose Bowl since 1985.

And finally, # 1

1. 1990- Again, in the 2nd to last game of the season ( the schedule makers sure like scheduling us late don't they ? ) the #2 ranked Huskies, already having clinched the Pac-10 title and a Rose Bowl berth, only had to win out their schedule to have a legitimate shot at winning the programs first National Title . However, UCLA, a 3 TD underdog at Husky Stadium, had other ideas. With the score tied at 24 late in the 4th quarter, safety Eric Turner ( RIP Eric, we still miss you ) made a huge interception, helping set up the game winning field goal by Brad Delouiso. The Huskies would have to wait another year for their national title.

This Saturday's game should be interesting. Though the Huskies come in at 0-9, I am still weary of us playing against a winless team. As bad as they've been, we haven't exactly been worthy of prime-time TV either. However, on paper, UCLA should still be able to pull this one out. UW has one of the worst secondary's in the conference, however, UCLA QB Kevin Craft is a turnover machine. UCLA , at least talent wise, has got more depth then UW ( That's probably not saying much ), and if Kevin Craft doesn't confuse the road whites for the Purple and Gold, UCLA might actually have a decent night on offense. And last but not least, how receptive will the locals be upon Neuheisels return ?

Prediction

UCLA 20 UW 13

Now, a more in-depth view from the Dawgs side of the fence...

http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/huskiesfan/

Now, as for the city of Seattle. Seattle is a city known for it's rain. It's also known for coffee. It was also the center of the grunge scene in the early 90's. I have passed through the Emerald City 4 times in the last 10 years. In 2000, the Experienced Music Project, aka the EMP, opened just a stones throw away from the city's #1 landmark, the Space Needle. I guess you could say it's the West Coast's version of a rock n roll museum with a lot of hands on things to do.

http://www.empsfm.org/index.asp

The Space Needle, if it's your first time in the Emerald City, go ahead, take a trip to the top. Yeah, it's touristy, but hey, you are a tourist in this city, right ? As for the restaurant there, locals say avoid it, and you know what they say about asking a local when it comes to the cities best eats.

Speaking of eats, Pike Market place is just a short monorail ride from the Needle. Hop on, get off at the Westlake Center, walk a few short blocks west, and you'll find the Market Place and it's variety of shops. Oh yeah, beware of flying fish... One place you may want to check out at the Market Place is Beechers. It's a cheese shop with a good variety of cheeses. They also have an on-site cheese factory where if you go at the right time, you can observe the cheese-making process. If you get a chance, try their mac-n-cheese...It's to die for....

http://www.beechershandmadecheese.com/index.html

And if you should be out late, there's this really great dive near the Needle on 415 Cedar St. It's open 24 hours , the atmosphere is loud, but yet , as Kurt Cobain said, it's " Come as You Are ". The food here is actually great considering this is a DIVE. I went here once upon arriving into town into the late night looking for a place open late, ordered a standard breakfast of pancakes , eggs, and bacon, which come with unlimited hash-browns ( The hash-browns are huge, you wont need a second helping ), and the one thing I could say is that this ain't no IHOP.

Want to know more about my Seattle Experiences. Leave me a question in the comments section. Below are some pics, most of them most recently at a Mariners game this past June, a couple from 1998, and an old pic with the former Sonics mascot Squatch ( I can only assume he is looking for work right now ...) Also, let's here your thoughts on this Saturday's game . For you Huskies fans who may be reading this, you may have more in-depth knowledge as to the demise of the UW football program. Let's hear from you. Well, below are my pictures. Enjoy everyone......