A BOUQUET OF QUESTIONS

The historic, grand, hallowed Rose Bowl game has somehow been transformed into a proving ground, a strange situation but only fitting under the circumstances.

Wisconsin has been called the third-best team in the Big Ten and therefore the most fortunate team in the Big Ten, able to come to Pasadena only because of the hadn’t-been-here-in-the-longest-time tiebreaker.

Wisconsin has even been called the worst team to play in the Rose Bowl, by Craig James of CBS.

The UCLA defense has been called things that can’t be printed here, in pedestrian terms the Achilles’ heel of the Bruins, if Achilles’ heel happened to be torn.

Today at 2 p.m., old issues become part of the new year.

Two teams that are 10-1, teams that are ranked sixth (UCLA) and ninth (Wisconsin), are in the 85th Rose Bowl with something to prove.

“I think so,” Bruin tight end Mike Grieb said. “People doubt them, and I think people are doubting us too.”

Because of all the questions.

Will the UCLA defense respond to the debacle of the Miami game?

Will the impressive Wisconsin defense, No. 1 in the nation in scoring defense and No. 5 in total defense, handle the impressive UCLA offense?

Will any Bruin fans show at the Rose Bowl to find out?

Will Craig James ever be allowed to buy cheese again?

“It should be like that,” Badger cornerback Jamar Fletcher said. “UCLA, they have something to prove to me. I honestly don’t believe their defense is as good as our defense. Edgerrin [James of Miami] kind of ran wild on them, and I think Ron Dayne is a better back than Edgerrin. They’re going to have to prove they can stop Ron, just like we’re going to have to prove we can stop Cade McNown.

“We have something to prove. Everybody has counted us out, everybody around the world. Time and time again, we’ve been the underdog. People have been counting us out. Now we have an opportunity to play one of the best.”

Said Wisconsin punter Kevin Stemke: “It’s a statement game.”

And a question game.

* Which team has been idle longer, meaning it is either very rested or rusty?

Wisconsin has been off since Nov. 21.

The UCLA offense has been off since Dec. 5.

But the UCLA defense has been off since Nov. 21.

* Should Wisconsin get used to playing in Pasadena?

Of the 48 players on the two-deep roster--including kickers and punters--only nine are seniors.

The problem for the Badgers is that the nine includes the star of the defense, end Tom Burke, and All-American offensive lineman Aaron Gibson, a finalist for the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy.

But Dayne will be back, as one of the preseason favorites for the Heisman Trophy at that.

* What is the UCLA defensive line going to look like?

Put it this way:

Remember the front three against Miami?

Not that good.

Starting nose guard Micah Webb tore a knee ligament in that game and is out. Starting end Pete Holland sprained his left elbow in practice, is out of the opening lineup, maybe out of the entire game and might be bound for off-season surgery.

Webb’s replacement, Ken Kocher, is a true freshman who will be making his first start--and who has been bothered by flu. Holland’s replacement at right end, Anthony Fletcher, is a true freshman who will be making his first start. And because Kory Lombard, a walk-on, suffered a sprained ankle, Stephen Sua, normally the fourth-string nose guard, suddenly becomes the backup.

“Fletcher, he’s inexperienced, but he’s a big boy [6-3, 293],” said sophomore Kenyon Coleman, the Bruins’ one desired starter on the line and now the veteran. “I think he’ll get the job done. And Kocher, he hasn’t started before, but he’s played a lot.”

Said Badger Coach Barry Alvarez: It is an advantage, obviously, to us if they’re not playing their best guys. It’s rather obvious.”

* Does Wisconsin have to make up a reason to be concerned about the UCLA defense?

No.

Seriously.

Diplomacy is one thing, especially against a Bruin team that loves to find motivation in bulletin-board material, but the Badgers are unanimous in their worry about facing an athletic unit for one of the few times.

“They have a lot of team speed, which is something we’re not used to playing against,” said tackle Chris McIntosh, a 6-7, 311-pounder. “It’s real important for us to play physical right away.”

A key for UCLA will be whether star linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo, who at times has struggled in his return from a sprained knee ligament, still has his speed.

* Why will this be a special day for UCLA no matter the result?

Because it’s the final gathering of a phenomenal offense that should be appreciated while it’s still intact, one with three tailbacks who had 100-yard games, two fullbacks capable of starting, an all-conference tight end, receivers with size and athleticism, a line that gave up 10 sacks in 11 games, and a great quarterback.

Said Oregon Coach Mike Bellotti: “I think they’re probably one of the best offensive lines in the nation, not just the Pac-10 Conference. You throw in great running backs, you add big, tall wide receivers and a mobile quarterback. I think the mobility and escapability of Cade McNown and the fact that you can’t pinpoint where he’s going to throw the ball from, it really creates a quandary for the defensive coordinator. How do you attack them or what do you try to take away?”

After today, the quarterback, tight end and at least two of the offensive linemen--three if junior Kris Farris opts for the NFL--will be gone.

“You kind of don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone,” said Farris, the Outland Trophy winner. “I think a lot more people will realize it next year because I think we’ll struggle a little bit. It’ll be on track, but it won’t run as smoothly. I think people take it for granted because the last two years our offense has been pretty good.”

* Will the UCLA offensive line that has answered every challenge this season face its biggest one today?

Yes, and not because defensive end Tom Burke is 6-4 and 249 pounds.

But because he is the best defensive lineman the Bruins will have seen.

“He’s the best by far,” said Farris, who will be responsible for Burke part of the time. “Derrick Ham [of Miami] is a really good pass rusher, but Burke is really good against the pass and the run. He’s a complete player, something I haven’t faced before.”

* What’s the spread?

That’s what Wisconsin safety Leonard Taylor asked the other day.

Ten, someone told him.

“A 10-point game?” Taylor responded. “We’ll see.”

TODAY’S GAME

UCLA (10-1) vs.

WISCONSIN (10-1)

2 p.m., Channel 7

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