UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel has measured up to USC coach Pete Carroll. The Trojans’ 14 losses over the course of Carroll’s seven-plus seasons have been by a total of 59 points. The Bruins needed only one 59-point loss for Neuheisel to tie Carroll.

He should be catching up on total losses here pretty soon as well.

The record speaks for itself. The Trojans:

• Own 11 national titles in five different decades.
• Own the highest all-time winning percentage vs. NCAA opponents of any conference (.704). That percentage ranks seventh among all Division I schools.
• Own a winning record vs. every Pac-10 team, ranging from 55-8-4 (Washington State) to 42-28-7 (UCLA).
• Own a winning record vs. every other BCS conference, including a 17-10-1 mark vs. the SEC.
• Own a 30-16 record in bowl games (.652). Those 30 wins rank second all-time to Alabama, which has 31.
• Own seven wins over No. 1-ranked teams, second only to Notre Dame’s eight.

History? It’s not just one great coach; it’s four: Howard Jones, John McKay, John Robinson and Pete Carroll.

Clutch teams also produce clutch performers: Seven Heisman Trophy winners.

And so on. Anyway, if nothing else it’s nice to have that edge over the SEC.

[T]he shiny, new-car feel to this rivalry needs no clarification.

College football around here hasn’t felt this much preseason sizzle in years. College football around here has become bigger than one team, bigger than one coach, as big as it’s been since before Toledo was holy.

It’s become pressure squared, drama doubled, a story of two teams fighting different fights but, for the first time in a long time, staring mostly at each other.

but not quite as stoked on the Bruins’ chances to make a splash in the Pac-10.

When asked about his quarterback, Neuheisel asked esteemed veteran Associated Press scribe John Nadel whether he had any eligibility remaining.

We have to stay healthy, Neuheisel said.

Yeah, in which case they might win half of their games.

There’s also the annual talk about how This could be the best defense USC has ever had, X number of the backups at position Y could start for most teams in the country, etc. Given recent history, I think we’ll just wait and see about all that.

Over three million photos taken.

The really interesting stuff, according to the [Los Angeles] Times: He can’t get bonuses and will be required to pay back any previous bonuses if the football program is put on NCAA probation or is “subsequently sanctioned for NCAA violations in which coach was directly involved, that coach facilitated, condoned, or ignored about coach knew or reasonably should have known.”

Seems fair, if you ask me. Actually, come to think of it, why is this even news? Why doesn‘t every coach’s contract have a provision like this?

Alabama is in the post-Major Applewhite era, and seems very happy with the new offense.

Oklahoma is trying to forget their last trip to Arizona. I think they might refuse a Fiesta Bowl bid this year.

Still no offense for the Seminoles. Good luck, Jimbo …

Florida’s spring game highlights Chris Rainey in the backfield, not former USC RB Emmanuel Moody. Anybody still (ever) think this transfer was a good call?

UCLA names Patrick Cowan (aka USC killer in ’06) starting QB.

LSU’s Ryan Perrilloux apparently didn’t need spring practice in order to start for LSU this fall.

USC’s first opponent apparently wants the Trojans to worry about their new passing attack.

Finally, from University Park/Howard Jones Field, Joe McKnight can’t handle 3 classes this semester and Mark “Dirty” Sanchez will be SC’s starting QB unless his arm falls off before August 30th.

According to Tracy Pierson of BruinReportOnline.com, Neuheisel and Trojan coach Pete Carroll have agreed to have each team wear home uniforms when the two rivals meet on Dec. 6 at the Rose Bowl.

Before 1982, the teams had a tradition: Both teams would wear their home uniforms. UCLA would don its home blue jerseys and USC would wear its home red. But in that year, the NCAA ruled that the visiting team must wear away uniforms. Since then, the visiting team has worn white to avoid a penalty and a forfeited time-out in the first half.

Neuheisel and Carroll have reportedly agreed that the home team will take a time-out to offset the one the visitors must forfeit. The penalty will be declined. The agreement is said to be set to last as long as Neuheisel and Carroll remain coaches of the respective schools.

Bravo, everyone. Bravo.