by Ross Coleman - Contributing Editor
October 27, 2009 02:12
Don't confuse this with a Neu Era. I think Rick Neuheisel is the best option for UCLA as far as head coaching goes. I think he will lead us out of the dark ages of Bruin football.
But I am ready to see some change. Kevin Prince is not getting the job done. Yes he is a talented young kid who has shown flashes of being a decent Pac10 quarterback. But I think the time is now to see what Richard Brehaut can do. Coming in, Brehaut was labeled as the best prospect that UCLA had at quarterback, it was just going to be how long would it take him to get the playbook down. Well, after losing four in a row in the Pac10, I think it is time to see what the kid can do. He has been at UCLA since January, competed in spring ball, and gained some playing time. It is now time to see what he can do as the number one quarterback option.
Today Neuheisel said that Prince would be the starter for the Oregon State game, but that Brehaut would see meaningful snaps. I think, in looking at the situation, Prince is Norm Chow's guy and Brehaut is Neuheisel's guy. I think Brehaut is going to be the better option in the long haul. The thought coming into this year is that Kevin Craft knew the play book the best and Brehaut was the best athlete, but that Prince was just good enough in the playbook and just good enough athletically that he won the starting job. If Brehaut is the better quarterback in the long run, he needs to be playing.
I think looking at last weeks opponent, UCLA can learn a lot about their own quarterback situation. Arizona named Matt Scott as their starting quarterback coming into the season over Nick Foles. But after throwing interceptions and a poor completion percentage in each of the teams first three games, Scott was benched for Foles who had shown glimpses in games despite looking bad in practice. The result is a 3-1 record since the switch and much improved scoring by the team as a hole.
I am not saying that UCLA can solve all its problems by putting Brehaut in the game, but if the Bruins want to have anything to build on for the future, they should let Brehaut be the guy and see what he can do. I feel the UCLA coaching staff has a poor view of where they are as a program. This season is over, the best the Bruins can hope for at this point is 6-6, 7-4 if there is a miracle. And I hate to break it to Bruins fans out there but 6-6 in the Pac10 will not get you to a bowl, so if UCLA wants to salvage the season and have something to show recruits, it should be what Richard Brehaut can do.