UCLA @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 7, 2009 ) Washington 23, UCLA 24

For as poorly as the UCLA Bruins have played at times this season, it is hard to believe they still have a chance at landing a bowl bid. While that may not have seemed possible a couple of weeks ago, UCLA needs just two more wins to play in the postseason.

They’ll have a good shot at the first one when they visit Washington in a Pac-10 contest Thursday night. The Huskies are looking to snap a three-game skid.

UCLA (4-5, 2-4 Pac-10) snapped a three-game losing streak of its own with a dramatic 17-14 win over Oregon State in its last outing. Kai Forbath booted a 52-yard field goal on the final play of the game to pace the Bruins.

Forbath has a chance to become the NCAA’s all-time leader in field goals made. He missed a chance to give the Bruins the lead a couple of minutes earlier in the game and never dreamed he’d get another chance.

But Oregon State failed to get a first down and punted the ball back to the Bruins. Backup quarterback Richard Brehaut then directed an impressive drive to get Forbath in range again and this time he didn’t miss.

Brehaut took over for Kevin Prince a few games earlier after Prince needed knee surgery and he’s helped elevate UCLA’s anemic passing game.

UCLA had lost its three prior games by a combined score of 124-42. The last time it played on Thursday night was an embarrassing 60-13 loss at top-ranked Oregon.

UCLA also will play at Arizona State and finish the season against rival USC. Two wins won’t be easy but is possible.

Washington’s bowl outlook is bleaker but also realistic. The Huskies (3-6, 2-4) have to sweep the remaining three games on their schedule. After UCLA,
Washington plays at Cal and at rival Washington State. Those three teams have a combined record of 10-18.

Washington State finally got its first Pac-10 win last week when it won at Oregon State as a huge underdog.

The Huskies haven’t reached a bowl game for the last seven years and have lost its last three games by a combined score of 138-30. And this season was filled with promise.

When Jake Locker decided to forego the NFL draft and return to the Huskies, Washington fans had Rose Bowl dreams. But Locker has thrown for just 1,678 yards on the season with 14 touchdowns, well below his expectations.

Now the Huskies would settle for any old postseason berth.

Locker suffered a broken rib in the Huskies’ game against Stanford and missed Washington’s contest against Oregon. He is listed as probable for Thursday’s contest and Locker has said he wants to play in his team’s final home game.

Washington hasn’t won three straight games since the early stages of the 2006 season. UCLA has won the last three meetings between the two teams.