Team That ‘Backs In’ at Least Is One That’s Back in the Rose Bowl

The truth is that UCLA front-pedaled in by whipping ASU and Arizona. Ordinarily, one must beat USC as well, but the Trojans stink this year and played themselves out long ago. USC has always been a jinx to the Bruins, so thank God they rarely compete for the conference title these days.

How about praising UCLA and its unprecedented fourth straight New Year’s Day bowl? There are many people in L.A. who are excited about the most successful period in UCLA football history. But we’ll probably hear more about USC’s Aloha Bowl than the Rose Bowl from the city’s best paper, the Trojan Times.

JAMES SOGG

Los Angeles