Big Day for USC, Not for UCLA

The situation is magnified because UCLA's dip has coincided with USC's meteoric rise.

UCLA, after winning eight in a row, has lost its last five against USC.

And a win in the USC-UCLA series buys more than bragging rights.

"In recruiting you need that wave," Bernardi said, "where those kids start calling each other and saying, 'We can do this together.' "

But it goes deeper than that.

Norrie blames UCLA's slide on the school's inability to produce a top flight quarterback since four-year starter Cade McNown left the program in 1998.

Norrie and Biggins also suggested Dorrell's West Coast offense, which some believe is too complicated for young players, is driving recruits away.

Biggins said four highly touted prep quarterbacks cited the Bruin offense as a reason for committing to other schools.

Instead of getting blue-chip prospects, UCLA signed a junior college transfer, David Koral, who would compete with Drew Olson for the starting position.

Wednesday, the Bruins added Patrick Cowan, from Bellflower St. John Bosco High, who chose UCLA over Idaho and Sacramento State.

While USC has clearly pulled away from UCLA, several pivotal rivalry moments illustrate the precarious nature of this relationship:

* What if UCLA had beaten Miami in 1998 and gone on to win the national title?

Might that have been the adrenaline shot needed to keep UCLA on top and USC at bay?

* What if Paul Hackett had been marginally successful at USC and not been fired after three years?

Had Hackett lasted the length of his five-year contract, USC fans might not have known Pete Carroll from Lewis Carroll.

* What if Rick Neuheisel had not self-destructed in Washington and taken himself out contention for his dream job, UCLA, after Bob Toledo was fired?

Imagine the fiery Neuheisel as Bruin coach, going head-to-head against Carroll in recruiting.

* What if UCLA had not been jilted by hot-shot quarterback J.P. Losman, who transferred in 1999 without playing a down? Suppose the Bruins passed on Losman and instead lured Kyle Boller of California or Casey Clausen of Tennessee?

Or, suppose Losman, who turned out to be a pretty good quarterback at Tulane, had stayed in Westwood?

* What if UCLA, even last year, could have built on the momentum of a 6-2 start instead of losing its last five games?