So, it's come to a point for the UCLA Bruins: three critical games in consecutive weeks that will likely determine whether they'll play in Pasadena on January 3. UCLA doesn't have to worry what Miami does, or Oklahoma or Nebraska or anybody else. If the Bruins win out, and this would include their final Pac-10 games against crosstown rival USC and a makeup game at home against Arizona State, they will qualify for the BCS championship game at the Rose Bowl. The first stop is Saturday at Palo Alto to play Stanford, where the Cardinal will give the UCLA defense a severe test, followed by a road game Nov. 3 against surprising Washington State at Pullman, always a tough place to play, and a home game Nov. 10 against Joey Harrington and the scrappy Oregon Ducks. The offenses of these three teams are much better than those of UCLA's first six opponents. Stanford, Washington State and Oregon average 39.6, 44 and 38.6 points, respectively.

Can UCLA hold together, especially on defense? Coach Bob Toledo recently put his team's chances in perspective: "If you look too far down the road, you get hit in the head...the BCS doesn't matter until the end." The Bruins haven't trailed in the fourth quarter this season, although they have been outscored, 35-28 in fourth quarters. "I think when you're dealing with experienced football teams, mature football teams, which we are, you're able to hang in there for four quarters," Toledo said.

Let's drive up Highway 1 to the Farm:

UCLA (6-0) at STANFORD (4-1) | The Cardinal, 10-point underdogs, will be without senior quarterback Randy Fansani, who injured his knee during last week's 49-42 upset of No. 11 Oregon. But in Fansani's place steps in the capable sophomore Chris Lewis, who Toledo praised as an up-and-comer in the Pacific 10. Lewis threw two touchdowns against the Ducks and passed for 189 yards, leading Stanford's rally that snapped Oregon's 23-game home winning streak. Lewis has a tall target to throw to--wide receiver Teyo Johnson, who is 6-7. UCLA's tallest defensive back is freshman Matt Ware, who is 6-3 and nursing a sprained ankle. The rest of the Bruin 'Dbacks are all 5-11. UCLA quarterback Cory Paus played his best game of the season against California last Saturday, but the Cardinal defense figures to be a lot tougher that the lowly Bears'. DeShaun Foster, the country's leading rusher, and the UCLA defense will be the deciding factors. If Stanford can't stop Foster, it'll be a long afternoon for the Farm Boys. The Watcher likes UCLA in a high-scoring close one, 40-35.

OREGON (6-1) at WASHINGTON STATE (7-0) | Oregon's chances for an undefeated season and possible national title came crashing down in its loss to Stanford last week. So the Ducks would like to do the same to the unbeaten Cougars at Pullman. But it won't be easy. Washington State is emerging as the Cinderella team of the Pac-10. The Cougars are trying to open a season with eight straight wins for the first time since 1930. They are ranked third in the country in scoring, averaging 44 points per game. The Ducks eeked out a 27-24 win last season, but won't be so fortunate this time. Washington State stays undefeated, 50-30.

WASHINGTON (5-1) at ARIZONA STATE (4-2) | The Huskies face an improving Sun Devil squad that is coached by Dirk Koetter, in his first season at Tempe since coming from Boise State, where he built the Broncos into a scoring machine. The Sun Devils are coming off of an impressive 41-24 victory last week against Oregon State, while the Huskies narrowly beat Arizona in Seattle, 31-28. Arizona State, led by quarterback Jeff Krohn, is favored by 3 at home, which means this is an even matchup.They should win by 10, 31-21.

USC (2-5) at ARIZONA (3-4) | It looks like the Trojans will be without Sultan McCullough for the second straight week. The speedy tailback, still hurting with a torn stomach muscle, will be replaced again by redshirt junior Sunny Bird, who looks more like a blocker than a runner. Kareem Kelly, USC's best receiver, was in an auto accident this week, and although he wasn't hurt, Kelly hasn't practiced. The Trojans keep talking about turning their season around and they will have to start Saturday against the Wildcats in Tucson. But some Cardinal and Gold boosters are losing hope. One old Trojan referred to offensive coordinator Norm Chow's spread offense as "Dog Chow." Ouch! USC wins, 31-7.

GOING COASTAL | San Diego State plays host to undefeated Brigham Young (7-0) in a Mountain West Conference game in San Diego Saturday. The Cougars are ranked in the top 10 in the coaches poll for the first time since 1996....Fresno State, who plays Hawaii in a Friday night game in Fresno, announced that special teams player Kendall Edwards has been suspended for one game for a flagrant hit on Boise State's punt returner Tim Gilligan during last week's upset loss to the Broncos. Edwards was involved in a similar incident against Oregon State earlier this season when he broke the left hand of the Beavers' Terrell Roberts. He was assessed a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.