The Early Words: Tomorrow's notebook

As the regular season draws to a close, only two games standing between UCLA and a December date with destiny, head coach Rick Neuheisel has one eye on Arizona State, one eye on USC and one eye on the Pac-10 standings.

And he still knows it might not be enough.
The Bruins are stuck behind six already bowl-eligible teams in the supposedly "down" Pac-10, with six conference bowl tie-ins.

But while the league is not nearly as top-heavy as it has been in recent memory, the middle is quiet crowded, with four teams at 7-3 and Arizona at 6-3.

"I understand that were on the outside looking in," Neuheisel said. "That doesn't matter to me. I just want us to be playing and enjoying this month. We've got a good thing going right now."
He's right about that.

After squeaking past Washington with a 24-23 win in Week 9, the Bruins thoroughly dominated Washington State on Saturday, their first winning streak since September.
The recent burst has UCLA thinking that if it becomes eligible, a bowl such as the Humanitarian Bowl in Boise, Idaho, or The EagleBank Bowl in Washington, D.C.

"When you look at the schedule we played and the schedule other teams have played, I don't think we have to be ashamed at all," Neuheisel said. "Not one bit. We've gone toe-to-toe with a lot of good football teams. If we're bowl eligible, we're bowl eligible. I don't think we have to apologize at all."

Ramirez in Limbo
Junior running back Christian Ramirez - the preseason starter - did not travel to Washington State with the Bruins because of a coach's decision. Ramirez, who has been banged up and inconsistent all season, is stuck in a crowded backfield.

More surprising: UCLA did bring scarcely used senior running back Craig Sheppard, a former walk-on, and Sheppard actually got two carries for 16 yards.

Neuheisel noted Sheppard's role in the special teams game, though.
"We just needed some other bodies, and we had enough tailbacks," Neuheisel said. "When we made all those teams, he was hurt. He hasn't fought his way onto that depth chart."

Bumps and Bruises
Neuheisel said he hopes to get senior defensive tackle Jerzy Siewierski (foot) and junior offensive guard Ryan Taylor (foot) back this week. ... Redshirt freshman cornerback Aaron Hester is expected to return to full-speed action this week as he has still been hampered by a fractured leg suffered in Week 1. ... Senior tight end Logan Paulsen suffered a calf cramp that kept him down on the field for a few minutes against Washington State, but Neuheisel said Paulsen was fine.