Much to discuss after debacle

Looking back at UCLA’s 27-7 loss to Washington State.

Rewind

As expected: Coach Ben Howland’s UCLA basketball team, which begins its season Nov. 9 against Portland State, was expected to be ranked as one of the top teams in the nation. The Bruins are second in the Coaches/USA Today poll. . . .

Oh, football.

Many will say they expected UCLA to flop in Pullman. If so, then many were right. Many are expected to call for Coach Karl Dorrell’s ouster. Athletic Director Dan Guerrero refused to enter into any such discussion, saying, “You understand.”

Many will say they don’t.

As for the game, Patrick Cowan struggled throughout the week leading up to the game. He hobbled around on an injured right knee and a sore right calf and was able to practice only once. The one-legged quarterback plan was doomed. Cowan, unable to use the mobility that makes him effective, could do nothing to rally the Bruins.

Unexpected: There was no one in the Bruins’ locker room that seemed mad after the debacle Saturday. Instead, it was the same warmed-over quotes used after the two previous losses, about beating themselves and how they needed to “fix” things and how four-plus seasons of wild mood swings on the field need to end.

Stepped up: The pressure on Dorrell. Some Bruins fans may fancy a holiday trip to the Bay Area or Las Vegas, but probably not for a bowl game. The Bruins’ mantra this week will almost certainly center on how they still control their destiny in the Pac-10. They do. Really.

As for the game, Kyle Bosworth was impressive, making 19 tackles.

Stepped back: The Bruins’ secondary, with its swagger, was not up to the task when defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker sent in reinforcements to stop the run. One-on-one coverage resulted in five pass interference penalties.

Coach’s quote: Asked how his team was dealing with the loss, Dorrell said, “They see it as a lost opportunity. We need to really focus and get ourselves playing good football.”

On the troubles with execution -- which was the buzzword by all after the game -- Dorrell said, “We have a lot of new players playing for first time. They haven’t had a chance to get seasoned and jell with everyone else.”

Injuries: Two big ones.

Tailback Kahlil Bell, the Bruins’ leading rusher, suffered what was called a sprained knee. He was to undergo an MRI today.

Wide receiver Brandon Breazell, the closest thing the Bruins have to DeSean Jackson, has what is called multiple rib contusions. He will undergo more tests this week.

Looking ahead to the game at Arizona (Saturday, Channel 7, 12:30 p.m., Arizona Stadium).

Fast forward

First look: Just another mediocre team for the Bruins to push around.

Then again. . . .

Willie Tuitama threw for a school-record 510 yards in a 48-41 victory over Washington on Saturday. This will be the second consecutive week UCLA faces a team whose coach is iffy to return next season. The Bruins did what they could to help Washington State’s Bill Doba and now face Mike Stoops’ Wildcats.

Topic of the week: Health and heart.

Do the Bruins have enough of either?

With Bell out and Chris Markey still hobbling with a sore toe, the running game could be in the hands of converted safety Christian Ramirez, who fumbled the last time he touched the ball in a game, or plow-horse Chane Moline, who failed to get a first down on third-and-two plays twice against Washington State.

As for the passing game, Cowan’s knee remains a question. Offensive coordinator Jay Norvell did what he could to keep Cowan out of harm’s way Saturday, but that did not lead to offensive production.

Getting a few defensive players would help as well, particularly linebacker Christian Taylor.

As for the heart, the Bruins are teetering on the brink, despite being tied for second place in the conference.

After Arizona, the Bruins face first-place Arizona State, fourth-ranked Oregon and USC to finish the season.

Who would have thought at the beginning of the season that USC would be the cream puff of the Bruins’ last three games?

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chris.foster@latimes.com

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Season log (5-3)

Sept. 1: Stanford (3-5, 2-4);

won, 45-17.

Sept. 8: Brigham Young (5-2);

won, 27-17.

Sept. 15: at Utah (6-3); lost, 44-6

Sept. 22: Washington (2-6, 0-5); won, 44-31

Sept. 29: at Oregon State (5-3, 3-2), won, 40-14.

Oct. 6: Notre Dame (1-7);

lost, 20-6.

Oct. 20: California (5-3, 2-3);

won, 30-21.

Oct. 27: at Washington State (3-5, 1-4); lost, 27-7; Loss keeps Bruins alive in the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl chase. They present roses to “Rose Bowl” qualifier, just think what Bell would present to Coach Karl Dorrell.

Nov. 3: at Arizona (3-6, 2-4); Bruins have not lost consecutive games this season; of course this is the first time they’ve played poor teams in consecutive games.

Nov. 10: Arizona State (8-0, 5-0)

Nov. 24: Oregon (7-1, 4-1)

Dec. 1: at USC (6-2, 3-2)