Here We Go...

Let's face it. As the 30th hour before kickoff comes to a close, it's time to unleash the passion that has been accumulating since October. Ever since we realized that this Bruin team has character, heart, and seemingly an extra half-dozen lives, we all circled December 3rd on our calendars, anticipating the opportunity to take on the near-legendary Trojans. Every time we're tempted to root for the weekly Trojan opponent, we stop and hold back a bit. We want to be the ones to knock them off their perch.

On paper, this game is a mismatch. While the Bruin offense should have no trouble with an undermanned USC defense, the arguably most dominant offense in the history of college football takes on one of the lowest ranked run defenses in the country. While the Trojans boast the most electrifying player in college football, a reigning Heisman trophy winner, as well as a pair of nationally recognized receivers, and one of the most physical runners in the conference, the Bruins have absolutely, positively, zero defensive line. The Bruins have given up career rushing days to seemingly every opposing running back they've faced. Superficially, a pretty accurate assessment of the game would be "it could get ugly." But that is where the traditional part of this story ends.

There is much more to this game than the conventional layout of a regular football game. This is a rivalry game - a game where pride is on the line, respect is to be had, and glory is to be taken. First, there is the national respect issue. For the past six years, USC has pushed UCLA around; the past three years have been all about USC, all the time. Forget national attention, the Bruins haven't received significant local attention in a long, long time. This game is a statement - it's a message to the rest of the country that the West Coast, the Pac-10, and UCLA all can play some football. It's a proclamation that the Bruins are a top national team, that the rest of the country needs to take notice of a team that can play with the best.

Next, we consider USC's condescension and unwillingness to impart respect to this program. They're cocky. Their swagger, as domineering and powerful as it may be, has always disrespected UCLA over the past few years. Pete Carroll neglected to prepare his team thoroughly for last year's game not because he was too lazy, but because he didn't think we would be a challenge.

But the reason why this game is different is because it's the opportunity of a lifetime. The last time these two teams met when ranked this high was in the 1980's. Most likely (though it'd be nice), never again will this opportunity arise in these players' careers. On this one Saturday, these Bruins have legitimate a chance to go down in history as taking down one of the greatest teams in college football history.

Everyone knows there is no way for the Bruins to completely shut down the Trojan juggernaut. In fact, the Trojans will probably run rampant. However, opportunistic plays by the UCLA defense can thwart potentials Trojan scores - interceptions, sacks, fumbles all can be just enough for this team to come through. And as this defense has shown us flashes of brilliance (well, okay, competency) when their backs have been up against the wall and the team is fired up in the 4th quarter, the Bruins will definitely compete well if they establish their intense emotions early. We can't stop them, but we can certainly do just enough to give ourselves a chance to win.

And how can this team put together enough to pull off the upset? With heart. With willpower and the determination to never give up. With a near-perfect performance in which everyone contributes, from the stars to the scrubs. With smart play, with discipline, yet creativity, passion, yet control. Our team has yet to put it all together into one single game this year. Here is our chance.

As fans, we must appreciate the opportunity afforded us. Personally, had anyone asked me whether I expected to see a UCLA team ranked this high take on USC during my college career, I would have said no without hesitation. A rivalry game of this magnitude will most likely only happen once in a few decades; we're lucky enough to witness it in our four years.

For the players, it is a time to shine, a time to bask in the glory of a fantastic season. It is a time to lay it all out on the field, to hold nothing back, to pour all the emotion and intensity of a season's worth of hard work and dedication into 60 minuts of football. It's a time to capitalize on a golden opportunity, a time to make this special season an epic one. It's a time to break stereotypes, a time to create a lasting impression, and the time to make a mark in the glorious UCLA history.

And for us fans? It's a time to cheer like never before, a time to scream our hearts out until we can yell no more, a time to 8-clap until our hands turn purple. It's a time to expend every ounce of energy in the stands, a time to do absolutely everything in our power to win this game. It's a time to remember a season like none before, a time to relive old memories, and a time to create new ones. It's a time to cherish our good fortune, a time to live and die with our boys, a time to bleed baby blue and gold, a time to realize how great we have it at UCLA. This is our time.

Go Bruins!