"USC is on another level," Biggins said. "Unlike in Florida, where Miami, Florida and Florida State are sharing the talent, there's not talent being shared here. USC gets what it wants and UCLA gets what's left over."
Gary Bernardi, a 10-year UCLA assistant who was the Bruins' tight ends coach and national recruiting coordinator before he was fired after last season, can only admire what USC has done.
"It's easy to say, 'Gawd, what's wrong with UCLA,' " Bernardi said.
"Yeah, there are some problems. There have been some ups and downs. But [the Trojans] have done a wonderful job."
UCLA dominated the 1990s, winning eight consecutive games against USC and, in 1998, secured what many believed was the nation's top recruiting class.
Things changed in a Pete Carroll-minute. The Internet has moved information at warp speed and, well, news gets around.
A program can rise and fall on a coaching change, a bowl win, a reputation or a whisper.
High school players know the score and sense shifts in momentum.
"If you're looking to stem the tide going in to the 2004 season, it's not going to happen, period, it can't happen," Norrie said. "USC has too much momentum, too many great players."
UCLA is scrambling to find traction as public perceptions harden.
The face of USC is that of a hard-charging Carroll, who has ignited USC with his energy, enthusiasm, attacking defense and wide-open offense.
The face of UCLA is Dorrell, his deadpan sideline demeanor seen by some as a metaphor for a young program that hasn't found its footing.
"I don't want to get down on Karl after one year," Norrie said, "but I'll tell you what, there are a lot of people who are down on him."
There's a sense key players are begging to get out of UCLA, not in.
Recently, quarterbacks Matt Moore, John Sciarra and tailback Tyler Ebell have sought work elsewhere.
Matt Ware, a marquee defensive back, elected to make himself available for the NFL draft.
"The perception of the whole program is that they've just been steadily declining for the last three or four years," Biggins said. "Until they actually go win nine games and a bowl game, that's going to be the perception."
How did UCLA football get so far off message?
Blame it on a combination of ill-fated decisions, unforeseen circumstances, loss of recruiting momentum, lack of coaching-staff continuity and woefully inconsistent play at quarterback.
