BRUINS LIKE THE TASTE OF CATCH-UP UCLA BELIEVES IT HAS CLOSED GAP WITH USC.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

After watching a superior USC team smash UCLA around the Coliseum in 2003, Bruins coach Karl Dorrell succinctly summed up the 25-point loss.

``This game was a great measuring stick for us,'' he said, ``and we have a lot of work to do.''

Two years later, the Trojans are the No. 1-ranked team, winners of 33 straight, rulers of not only Los Angeles, but college football. UCLA is ranked 11th, relevant in the city again, but a fourth-and-15 when it comes to respect.

But with both teams entering the game ranked in the top 15 for the first time since 1988, have the Bruins closed the gap on their archrivals? Or, does the gap remain Grand Canyonesque?

``We'll see,'' Dorrell said in preparation of today's matchup. ``You still have to come out and compete against it and see where we're at. I have no conclusion on that right now. You need to ask me that next week.

``But I believe our team has gotten better, our team is learning how to compete and have been able to win some competitive, pressure-oriented games.''

It will be easier finding a parking space today at the Coliseum than a person believing the Bruins (9-1, 6-1 Pacific-10 Conference) can end their six-game losing streak to the Trojans (11-0, 7-0), who are a three-touchdown favorite.

UCLA players know that, but the Bruins enter the game with their best record since the 1998 team was 9-0, and they have a chance to wreck USC's bid for a third consecutive national title. They also have a chance to win a share of the Pac-10 championship, and an opportunity to gain on the country's top program.

``Hopefully, the gap will be closed this year,'' Bruins quarterback Drew Olson said. ``That's the idea.''

It is a mighty, mighty gap.

Although USC's margin of victory during its six-game streak over the Bruins is 16.8 points, UCLA points to its surprising five-point loss a year ago as to the progress its program made.

During the Trojans' 33-game winning streak, USC has won by double digits 27 times. In fact, the Bruins' 29-24 loss last year at the Rose Bowl was USC's third-closest call during its 33-game winning streak and gives UCLA confidence heading into today's regular-season finale.

``It showed us that they're just guys. It kind of takes that Superman feel away from them a little bit,'' UCLA senior linebacker Justin London said. ``We know that they're stacked talent-wise, but they're just people, too. They put on their shoes the same way we put on our shoes. Their Superman luster has kind of faded with us because we know them a lot.''

UCLA, a marked underdog a year ago, used a 96-yard punt return and a successful fake punt to scare the Trojans, and special teams can be a factor again. UCLA's Maurice Drew leads the nation in punt return average (29.1 yards per try) and USC is last in the conference in punt return defense (11.4 yards per attempt).

``In order for us to be in the game and have a chance to win, we have to make big plays,'' UCLA sophomore receiver Marcus Everett said. ``I don't think there's been a really big gap. I think it has been a confidence thing and I think we have that confidence back this year by winning nine games.''

While a USC victory sends the Trojans to the national title game, UCLA is already assured of its best conference finish (third, at worst) since the 1998 team won the Pac-10 title.

``I think (the gap) has closed quite a bit,'' Olson said. ``It was tremendous. It was as big as it's probably ever been (two years ago). It seemed like it to me. It just seemed like they were so far ahead of us. They were. But I think it's getting (closer). It's definitely not there, but it's on the way.''

Brian Dohn, [phone]

brian.dohn(at)dailynews.com

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No. 11 UCLA at No. 1 USC

- Brian Dohn