RACE FOR THE ROSE BOWL

PACIFIC TEN

NEXT SATURDAY

* UCLA at Oregon, 12:30 p.m.--An impressive start for the Bruins, but can they win away from the Rose Bowl? The Ducks, who have lost only to No. 4 Wisconsin, will put them to the test.

* San Jose State at USC, 3:30 p.m.--Trojans must slow the surprising Spartans and their running machine, Deonce Whitaker.

* Idaho at Washington State, 2 p.m.--Vandals will be energized to knock off the Cougars in this border war.

* San Diego State at Oregon State, 3:30 p.m.--It’s the Beavers’ final tuneup before their conference opener against USC.

* Utah State at Arizona State, 7 p.m.--One has to wonder how long it will be before Ryan Kealy becomes the starting quarterback.

* California at Fresno State, 7:15 p.m.--Golden Bears played a strong game at Illinois, but Bulldogs will be primed to pull the upset.

BIG TEN

NEXT SATURDAY

* Minnesota at Purdue, 9 a.m--Golden Gophers try to catch a cool Brees after Boilermakers’ heartbreaking loss at Notre Dame.

* Northwestern at Wisconsin, 9 a.m.--Badgers’ fourth home game in a row before trip to Michigan.

* Penn St. at Ohio State, 9 a.m.--It doesn’t get any easier for Joe Paterno and the Nittany Lions, who are struggling offensively.

* Cincinnati at Indiana, 11 a.m.--This might be a better matchup on the basketball court, but the Bearcats are showing life on the gridiron, too.

* Iowa at Nebraska, 12:30 p.m.--Hawkeyes’ 11-game losing streak is not likely to end in visit to Lincoln, Neb.

* Notre Dame at Michigan State, 12:30 p.m.--Luck appears to be on the side of the Fighting Irish, but will it be enough to end losing streak to the Spartans?

* Michigan at Illinois, 4:30 p.m.--Angry Wolverines seek revenge for last season’s loss to Illini, which awaits word on status of injured quarterback Kurt Kittner.

IN QUOTES

“We had the opportunities. They came up with the turnover at the end. I think [Ryan] McCann played extremely well.”

LLOYD CARR

Michigan’s coach after his No. 3 Wolverines were defeated by UCLA, 23-20, at the Rose Bowl.