LOS ANGELES — Rick Neuheisel wants UCLA to play a role in the Pac-10 race down the stretch. Since the Bruins already have three conference losses, that would mean a spoiler role.

They could start this weekend by putting a dent in Oregon State’s chances of winning the Pac-10 title.

“Games in November are always exciting as the race starts moving toward the conclusion, and we’d like to factor in it one way or another,” Neuheisel said Monday.

“So this will be a great chance to do just that.”

The Bruins (3-5, 2-3) face the Beavers (5-3, 4-1) Saturday afternoon at the Rose Bowl.

“We’re looking forward to returning to the Rose Bowl to play a very good Pac-10 team in Oregon State, coming off a big win over Arizona State this last week; a close game, 27-25,” Neuheisel said. “Much has been said about their Pac-10 title hopes and being in the driver’s seat and so forth and it’s well-earned with the way they’ve played and performed.

“It’ll be a tall order for us, but one that we look forward to, especially playing in front of our home crowd.”

UCLA is coming off a bye that followed a 41-20 loss at California.

While the Bruins are out of the Pac-10 chase, they still could earn a bowl spot if they win three of their remaining four contests that, after OSU, pits them against Washington, Arizona State and Southern California.

Asked if it would be disappointing if the Bruins don’t get a bowl-qualifying six wins, Neuheisel said, “It’s disappointing because you love those extra practices. You love the chance to play one more time for your seniors, and you love the chance to have your young players continue to practice and improve.

“I don’t know that we would call it an ultimate failure, but it would be disappointing.”

Linebacker Reggie Carter believes the bye came at a good time for the Bruins.

“It gives you time to try to regroup, get healthy and get better and just try to play your best football toward the end,” he said. “Coach Neuheisel is stressing to us that they only remember what you did in November, so we’re trying to come out of November on top.”

Carter smiled and added, “November hasn’t been our best friend (in recent years), but this season, it didn’t really seem like September and October were our friends, so maybe November will like us this year.”

Neuheisel said: “I talked to them about in the old days, you used to say the games they remember are played in November. Now the season has extended, so it’s November and December.

“These are the games we’re going to remember for a long time, and they’ll be great memories if we can find a way to play our best football at this time.”

Wildcats close in on spot in bowl game

TUCSON, Ariz. — Arizona looks to wrap up bowl eligibility with a victory at woeful Washington State on Saturday.

The Wildcats (5-3, 3-2 Pac-10) are a 39-point favorite over the Cougars (1-8, 0-6), but coach Mike Stoops is taking nothing for granted. Stoops learned his lesson two years ago when Arizona had six wins but was snubbed by bowl selectors.

“If you win enough games you go. We don’t even talk about it,” Stoops said at his weekly campus news conference on Monday. “I don’t have to tell them. They know how to add. When it is all said and done you play 12 games and you end up were you are supposed to end up.”

Arizona has an easier route to the postseason now that the Pac-10 has seven bowl slots for the first time; in 2006, when the Pac-10 had six bowl slots, Arizona went 6-6 but stayed home for the holidays.