Dorrell tries to defuse predictions

The Heaven-Can’t-Wait preseason predictions shoveled on the UCLA football team have certainly been noted, though Coach Karl Dorrell has tried to blunt the effect.

“I told the team when I was [coaching] at Colorado, we were ranked No. 1 in one poll and top five in most polls and that team finished 5-6,” said Dorrell, a Buffaloes assistant from 1995 to ’98. “What happened? You can get a little caught up in what you’re reading. You’ve still got to go out there and play and perform and get yourself ready to defend those expectations.”

Bruins players have expressed many of the same thoughts the last few weeks. Still, it’s hard for some to conceal their desires.

Defensive end Bruce Davis was adamant in saying, “I don’t want to make any predictions,” but he did offer some repetitive commentary regarding how he hopes the season plays out.

A 6-6 record this season would be “disappointing,” Davis said.

How about 7-5? “Disappointing.”

8-4? “Disappointing.”

9-3? “Disappointing.”

10-2? “Disappointing.”

11-1? “Disappointing.”

12-0? “That wouldn’t be disappointing, but I’m not making any predictions,” Davis said.

There has been more than a little eagerness for Saturday’s opener at Stanford -- predating even the start of training camp.

“We’ve been waiting ever since the Florida State game [in the Emerald Bowl],” wide receiver Marcus Everett said. “Now it’s time to release and show everybody what we got.”

As for opening with a Pacific 10 Conference game, Everett said, “It’s kind of different, but we’ve just got to go out there and handle business.”

Tailback Chris Markey’s expectations for the season are high.

“I want to rush for 1,500 yards and I want to produce more scoring,” said Markey, who had 1,107 yards rushing last season. “Last year two touchdowns. As a running back, I want to score.”

What he doesn’t want:

“I would rather not be the leader in receptions this season,” said Markey, who had a team-high 35 catches in 2006. “It would be nice, but we need more production from our receivers to be successful. We didn’t really produce that much in the passing game last year.”

Markey said new offensive coordinator Jay Norvell “has really emphasized throwing the ball more, getting it to the receivers.”

Preparing for Stanford, which has a new coach in Jim Harbaugh, has been difficult. The Bruins’ staff had to work off what Harbaugh did as coach at the University of San Diego the last three seasons.

The danger to the Bruins comes from a trio of proven receivers -- Mark Bradford, Evan Moore and Richard Sherman -- and the occasionally effective T.C. Ostrander at quarterback.

That said, Stanford gave up 50 sacks last season, the most among major college programs.

Injuries slowed receivers Bradford (knee tendinitis) and Sherman (leg) in training camp, but both are expected to play Saturday.

Dorrell said he would take two quarterbacks on the trip, starter Ben Olson and walk-on McLeod Bethel-Thompson. Osaar Rasshan, who moved from quarterback to receiver this summer, will be the emergency third quarterback.

chris.foster@latimes.com