These are elevated times for UCLA athletics. 1999 was the last time UCLA men’s basketball, football and women’s hoops were in the top ten at the same time. In 2026, they are partying like it's 1999. It is late season for Bruin football to be ranked in the top ten. It has been a decade since UCLA was breathing November top ten oxygen. The baby blue and gold have never sniffed CFP helium. There was some nitrous oxide but not the premium playoff air. UCLA Women hoopsters won their first NCAA crown in 2026 finishing 37-1. All five senior starters were drafted in the WNBA first round. Their teammates are challenging themselves to repeat in 2027. Men’s basketball has had flashes of dazzle in the Mick Cronin era, earning a few Final Fours. There is buzz about 6’9” Serbian Nikola Kusturica. He received a major NIL cake and is spreading the frosting. Bruin’s football team has not played a nationally significant game in decades. This momentous season looks promising but historic demons are in every corner.
In September 1998, Hurricane Georges destroyed the US Gulf Coast. In anticipation of the catastrophe, millions of people were evacuated and events were cancelled. UCLA vs. Miami was one of the cancelled games. UCLA had exploded out to an 8-0 start and were in playoff position. Who knew Bod Toledo could coax such results? UCLA did not want to reschedule the cancelled game in the 1998 season and offered alternative dates in 1999. UCLA was ranked #3 and had just crushed cross town rival USC 34-17 with another Cade McNown gem. Unfortunately, they had an open weekend on December 5, 1998. The NCAA and UofM demanded the game be played to finish the 1998 campaign. It was the trap game of all trap games.
UCLA was led by college legend Cade McNown playing his senior season. Cade is the only starting quarterback in the history of the USC-UCLA rivalry to go 4-0. With today’s NIL bullion and the transfer portal, he will likely be the only QB who will accomplish that record in this rivalry. 1998 was the penultimate season for the Heisman candidate. Miami was propelled by 220 pound running back Edgerrin James. It was a game by land and by air. Captain Cade was 26 of 35 for 513 yards and 5 TD’s and no INT. He had a ridiculous QB rating of 244.5 for that game. Edgerrin James had 39 carries for 299 and 3 TD’s. Whoever had the ball last was going to win this thriller. Miami had the last dart in the 49-45 upset victory. UCLA would lose in the Rose Bowl and finish 10-2. It has taken decades for the Bruins to climb that mountain again. There are scary valleys between now and December.
UCLA won only 3 games last year, so every fan is wary of the perpetual precipice. An impact game with giant slayer Illinois is at the Rose Bowl Friday the 13th night. The Illini have been on a dragon roll. A tough road game at The Big House follows against an ornery, underachieving Michigan Wolverine. The regular season closes with the horse and the privileged itching for a ruinous upset in Pasadena. Bob Chesney has given us all hope, belief and swagger. His Ray Ban confidence envelopes the Westwood nation. He is the leader of men that was foretold on the Janss Steps in 1929. We sincerely hope he stays our course.
At the deadline: The Raiders ship Kirk Cousins to MN at the trading deadline. Cousins played six solid seasons for the Vikings from 2018-2023. After watching Carson Wentz wretch on Monday Night Football, MN had to rescue a promising season. Their defense is championship caliber, but the quarterback has been a purple hole. Cousins was a leader for the Raiders, and his presence will be missed. After three straight losses, he rallied the team with 250 yards passing and 3 TD’s in a 38-33 victory at New York. On the return flight, he released his viral alter ego Kirko Chainz to the delight of his teammates. Max Crosby supplied most of the chains for Kirko. He then took his whole posse including Fernando Mendoza to In n’ Out. He has been a blessed mentor for young Fernando. Mendoza has been an avid student. He has big tests in the coming weeks. He is thrown to the vagaries of the NFL schedule with Seahawks and Broncos up next and Browns waiting for him in Ohio. The 3rd round pick is a modest return for Cousins but they shipped his $10million roster bonus over to the Vikes with him. Sweet!
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