UCLA vs. HOUSTON

* Time: 12:30 p.m. PDT

* Site: Robertson Stadium, Houston

* Television: FX

* Radio: KOGO (600)

THE OFFENSES

It wasn’t simply that the Bruins scored 49 points last week against Texas. It was the speed and precision with which some of the touchdowns came, all the more impressive since most of the damage was done in the first half of the first game of the season. Five of the touchdown drives took less than three minutes and two fewer than 60 seconds. Only one started with better field position than the UCLA 39. Houston Coach Kim Helton this week labeled the Bruins “the best college offense I’ve enjoyed seeing play football in a long time.” Whether he will enjoy seeing it at his own expense might be another matter. The Cougar offense has generated 17 points-one rushing touchdown, one passing and one field goal. Penalties and protection have been critical factors.

THE DEFENSES

Houston’s strength. The Cougars have given up only 38 yards on the ground, impressive no matter the quality of the opponents, and 14 points a game. Part of the challenge today comes in that both starting cornerbacks and the starting free safety are all 5 feet 9, while UCLA will throw to 6-5 Brian Poli-Dixon, 6-4 Danny Farmer and 6-3 Jon Dubravac, among others. The Bruins’ two standout true freshmen, Ken Kocher and Robert Thomas, are both expected to get increased playing time, the result of continued improvements during practice and of Kocher recovering from a sprained ankle.

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Keys to the game: The Cougars get the chance to prove their defense is for real, mainly against the run. If--a big if--they are successful in that area, especially with UCLA dinged up in the backfield, that could at least make things interesting if the rains also come and hinder the Bruin passing attack.

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Fast fact: The 584 yards in total offense last week against Texas were the most for UCLA in nearly four years, since setting a school record with 679 yards against Arizona State on Nov. 12, 1994.

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Line: UCLA by 27 1/2.

NOTES / Cougar Tailback Sanford Healthy for the Rematch

UCLA won last season’s meeting with Houston, 66-10, at the Rose Bowl, but this time will at least have to face arguably the Cougars’ most dangerous weapon, tailback Ketric Sanford.

Sanford led Conference USA, and finished 27th in the nation, in all-purpose yardage, despite sitting out most of four games after an emergency appendectomy. One was against the Bruins, when Houston didn’t score a touchdown until the fourth quarter. This season, the 5-foot-8, 203-pound junior has been one of the few bright spots on offense, gaining 93 yards against California and 71 against Minnesota.

“He’s really an excellent running back,” UCLA Coach Bob Toledo said. “Last year, he had a great year. He’s a guy who would concern you.”

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Backup tailback Keith Brown, a question mark Thursday because of turf toe on his right foot that put him in a walking boot, made the trip and is listed as probable. . . . The Bruins arrived Friday to humidity and temperatures in the 90s-but no rain. The forecast for today includes the possibility of thunderstorms. The disclaimer is that fewer things are more difficult to predict than fast-changing Texas weather.

HOW THEY COMPARE

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UCLA Houston 49 Scoring 8.5 31 Points allowed 14 373 Passing 158 211 Rushing 80.5 584 Total offense 238.5 231 Passing defense 226.5 157 Rushing defense 19 388 Total defense 245.5

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