Top 25 Ranking Nice, but Not Important

UCLA’s players and coaches awakened Monday to the knowledge that the Bruins were ranked 24th in the Associated Press poll. It is the first time a Bob Toledo-coached team has been ranked.

So what?

“It was kind of fun and I’m kind of excited about it, but I’m not really concerned about it,” Toledo said. “I’m just concerned that we get on a roll.”

UCLA has an open date Saturday after a 66-3 victory at Texas.

Quarterback Cade McNown was equally unimpressed.

“It’s surprising, because you can make an argument either way,” he said. “You can argue that we just blew out a top team and we lost a couple of close games. Or you can argue they’re 1-2, bottom line.

“It’s nice, but doesn’t mean anything at this point. . . . When it comes down to the end of the season, where you stack up, that’s different.”

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The Fraternity Sticks Together Dept., courtesy of Toledo:

“[Beleaguered Texas Coach] John Mackovic won the Big 12 Championship and he’s a great football coach. He’s the same guy that was the Big 12 coach of the year. Now all of a sudden, is he a lousy coach? No. Their kids just made some mistakes.”

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UCLA will have a full practice week before taking the weekend off, but the Bruin starters’ field time will be curtailed daily to give younger players a chance to get in extra work. . . . Linebacker Brian Willmer will be rested this week in deference to a sore knee. . . . Safety Shaun Williams will be available to play in UCLA’s next game, against Arizona on Sept. 27 in the Rose Bowl. . . . While the Bruins are resting this weekend, Arizona will be in Columbus, Ohio, taking on Ohio State. . . . Arizona backup quarterback Brady Batten is out at least six weeks because of a broken collarbone.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

NEXT FOR UCLA

WHO: Arizona

WHERE: Rose Bowl

WHEN: Sept. 27, 12:30 p.m.

TV: Fox Sp. West

RADIO: XTRA (1150)