Bruins, Huskies hang bowl hopes on Saturday game

UCLA's seven-game Pac-10 losing streak has matched the longest conference skid in school history. A loss to Washington on Saturday would make the wrong kind of history, and probably squash the Bruins' bowl hopes as well.

Linebacker Reggie Carter is happy to hear it. Given the accumulated weight from the mounting frustrations of UCLA's five straight losses since September, he thinks the Bruins (3-5, 0-5 Pac-10) could benefit from a make-or-break moment.

"We've been thinking ahead for too long," Carter said. "Now, we're just looking one game ahead and trying to get that one win. Nothing else works. That's what you've got to do. Nothing else matters but Washington."

Quarterback Kevin Prince agrees with Carter's diagnosis. Although the Bruins lost at Oregon State last week, Prince's offense finished with its best stretch of play in two months, getting two touchdowns and two-point conversions in the fourth quarter while playing with all the energy they've been unable to focus this season.

"There was a little sense of desperation," Prince said. "We were able to get out there and play for fun, but with some real motivation. I hope we can recapture that this week. It's a good formula for us, and if we can get it together, we'll have a good chance."

The Huskies (3-5, 2-3) also face high stakes when they visit former coach Rick Neuheisel in search of their first win at the Rose Bowl since 1995. The good feelings from coach Steve Sarkisian's debut season would grow if the Huskies can sweep the Los Angeles schools and stay in the hunt for a bowl bid into the final weeks while ending UCLA's domination of Washington for most of the past decade.

Neuheisel and Sarkisian agree their teams look awfully even on paper, with Washington quarterback Jake Locker providing an intriguing challenge to a UCLA defense that's been largely excellent this season. On the other side of the ball, Washington defensive coordinator Nick Holt will go against UCLA offensive coordinator Norm Chow in a matchup of two former Southern California assistants.

"There are a lot of things in play this week that are making this game intriguing and fun," said Sarkisian, a former USC assistant himself. "I think there is a little bit of that gamesmanship going on. Nick and Norm went against each other for some years at SC, and there is obviously some similarities to what they do offensively to what we do offensively. It'll be interesting to watch the chess match that takes place."

But most eyes will be on Locker, who's trying to come back quickly from a deep thigh bruise that limited his activity during the Huskies' bye week and their recent practices. Bruise or no bruise, Carter believes Locker is the fastest quarterback he's ever seen, but the UCLA defense has handled most challenges adeptly this season.

"You can study film and know the plays they like to call, but you've got to chase that guy down to have success," Carter said. "He's a challenge for every defense. I know we love to get in situations like this to get the best out of us."

Sarkisian can relate to Carter's concerns about looking ahead or lamenting what's behind. After getting blown out by Oregon in their final game before the bye week, the Huskies have lost four of five following their 2-1 start and that remarkable victory over USC.

"There is a little overriding theme about finishing," Sarkisian said. "But the real message is, get re-energized to focus and be attentive to the details as we were earlier in the season. I think we have diminished in that area as the season has gone on.

"We've gotten a little bit sloppy, a little bit spotty in all areas of our football team, so this opportunity for us to get re-energized, to focus on the details that ultimately are the difference between winning and losing, is the big message."