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As my mind naively wanders off, I see myself climbing onto a goal post that’s ready to collapse as thousands of fans storm onto the Rose Bowl field. Back in Westwood, hoards of students take over the streets while cops stand idly by congratulating them.

It’s a dream I’ve replayed thousands of times in my head, and the only thing needed to make it a reality is a win over USC in this weekend’s football game.

It would be the biggest event to unite this campus since the men’s basketball team won a national championship almost 10 years ago, and students should celebrate such a feat accordingly.

“If UCLA wins, we need to riot,” fourth-year student Luv Singh said. “Everyone should feel free to do what they feel like in expressing the moment.”

If Justin Medlock kicks a game-winning field goal, students should be there to jump in on the dogpile.

If the players dump a cooler of Gatorade onto Karl Dorrell, students should be able to tell whether it is lemon-lime or fruit-punch flavored.

A Bruin win could potentially wreak havoc on the landscape of college football and the morale of USC’s campus. It couldn’t hurt for some of that havoc to carry over onto Landfair or Strathmore as well.

With midterms over and finals still a week away, Westwood should seize the opportunity to party as hearty as possible. And if UCLA’s football team obliges with a victory, my only hope is that UCPD will do its part by offering some tolerance.

Police in Westwood haven’t had to deal with a riot-like situation since the 1995 basketball championship. On that occasion, a local radio station van was tipped over and the LAPD called for reinforcements .

The magnitude of a Bruin win on Saturday wouldn’t be quite as large, but the appetite for celebration would be just as great.

As the single biggest upset of the year, tradition would dictate that UCLA fans rush the field and tear down the goal post. Yet because it would also crush the Trojans’ chances for a national title and end their five-game win streak in the rivalry series, a UCLA victory would warrant some additional celebration spilling back onto campus.

Sergeant Philip Baguiao, who has been with UCPD for 23 years, said the police department hasn’t taken any special precautions for Saturday because it hasn’t received any information indicating anything might happen.

Which makes sense if their source of information is the point spread for the game. But if the three-touchdown underdog Bruins manage to pull off the upset, I have a hunch UCPD will start receiving information faster than ‘SC fans demanding refunds for their Orange Bowl tickets.

Since UCPD requires advance notification of major parties, it’d be nice for every address in Westwood to call in and inform them of the party they hope to throw this weekend. Baguiao said that police have had to close off streets in the past to keep situations under control, and I can’t imagine a better idea for Saturday.

If Gayley or Glenrock are blocked off to street traffic, it would create the safest environment possible. Noise shouldn’t be an issue because students will already have lost their voices cheering at the game.

Police should feel free to intrude if property is being destructed or if fights start breaking out, but a donated couch lit on fire should hardly qualify. Particularly since it will be USC’s hopes for a national championship going up in smoke.

E-mail Finley at afinley@media.ucla.edu if your glass is half-full right now. He’ll drink the other half with you Saturday night.