Ucla Coach Rick Neuheisel

Rick Neuheisel made it clear during a Monday afternoon news conference that he was not ready to commit to bringing back offensive coordinator Norm Chow next season. Chow made it clear Monday evening that the decision was out of his hands, saying, "I would like to come back. I have an agreement. No one is more disappointed in the offense than me. Certainly it is his prerogative to do that. He can let us go, stay with us or not. " Chow is in the third year of a three-year contract but has agreed in principle to a two-year contract extension believed to be worth about $500,000 a season.

UCLA and Washington are eyeing a lower-tier bowl game, but it's getting late and both know it. Washington is down to its last call, needing to win its remaining games to become bowl eligible. UCLA needs to win two of its last three games. Staff writer Chris Foster looks at the game's key matchups and issues: Jake or a fake? Washington quarterback Jake Locker said he intends to play. Coach Steve Sarkisian said Locker's availability will be a game-time decision. UCLA Coach Rick Neuheisel said he is sure Locker will play.

UCLA kicker Kai Forbath lacked only one item on his college resume ? a game-winning field goal. He shanked that opportunity in the final minutes Saturday, only to get a do-over. Then Forbath, who missed from 46 yards with 1 minute 17 seconds left, nailed a 51-yard kick with no time remaining to remind the Bruins what it felt like to win a game. The 17-14 victory over Oregon State wasn't glamorous. UCLA's offense was downright prehistoric at times. The Bruins needed a replay review to get one second put back on the clock, which the officials ruled had expired after a UCLA completion at the end of the fourth quarter.

Defense wins championships, or so goes the cliche. UCLA Coach Rick Neuheisel would be happy if it could win just one game this season. The Bruins have been pacifists on defense too often this season ? especially against teams like Oregon State, which has a strong running game. Staff writer Chris Foster looks at the game's key issues and matchups: 'Quizz masters? UCLA has been flattened by some of the best backs in the nation. Kansas State's Daniel Thomas (234 yards), California's Shane Vereen (151)

UCLA has lost six consecutive games against top-ranked teams and Oregon has won seven of its last nine against the Bruins. Still, anyone who knows UCLA's dual personality knows the Bruins are most dangerous when counted out. Staff writer Chris Foster looks at the game's key issues and matchups: Looking out for No. 1 UCLA Coach Rick Neuheisel isn't worried so much about playing the nation's No. 1 team. He's more concerned about facing what has made Oregon the nation's No. 1 team.

This football fight begins with a fight song. The "Big C" has been the California Bears' call to arms since 1913. So when UCLA's "Sons of Westwood" came along, and the sound was suspiciously familiar, there were years of ethical and legal questions. A call to the Library of Congress in 1969 cleared up the legal dispute. The song was never copyrighted. To UCLA, that was the only "Big C" that mattered. So when those at UCLA and California whistle a happy tune about a pleasant " UC family" rivalry when the teams play in Berkeley on Saturday, it's good to remember families don't always get along.

UCLA's survival instincts were summed up by two on-field pleas Saturday. Linebacker Akeem Ayers told the defense, "Let's punch them in the mouth," as Washington State sat on the Bruins' one-yard line in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Richard Brehaut, moments after the defense held, was just as direct while huddling in the end zone: "I said, 'Let's get the [heck] out of here.'" Well, the Bruins got in the last jabs, then got the heck out of the Rose Bowl, wiping their brow the whole way. UCLA's 42-28 victory over Washington State came down to a reviewed call, a goal-line stand and a Cougars defense that lived down to its low billing.

Call it a de facto open week for UCLA. Washington State is coming to the Rose Bowl on Saturday and, although UCLA Coach Rick Neuheisel may get antsy at the suggestion, this is the only breather the Bruins have this season. The Cougars rank 108th out of 120 Football Bowl Subdivision teams against the run, giving up 209.8 yards per game … and that's the upside of their defense. They are 116th each in scoring defense (43.0)

This wasn't 66-3, but it will do in Westwood. UCLA went to Austin for a game it could not win. Texas, ranked seventh, was too good. The Bruins needed to just get out of the game in one piece. Then a stunned crowd of 101,437 watched Saturday as those preconceptions turned into misconceptions. The Bruins stomped all over Memorial Stadium, and ran over the Longhorns, before strutting off with a 34-12 victory that was an echo from their past. UCLA's 66-3 victory over 11th-ranked Texas in 1997 altered the Longhorns' future, as it led to coach John Mackovic's firing and the hiring of Mack Brown.

Games are ending so late these days that public address announcers have taken on additional duties of mopping up, calling for taxis and issuing last beverage calls. Here's what you may have missed Saturday night. UCLA 31, Houston 13. The game ended at 10:42 p.m., two hours past traditional bedtime in Pasadena, and more than an hour past this newspaper's deadline. Also ended was speculation about whether UCLA Coach Rick Neuheisel can respond to a crisis. It may have been the most important win of his increasingly desperate tenure, with the Bruins playing with a passion and purpose that had been AWOL (absent without linemen)