UCLA NOTEBOOK: BRUINS' NEXT FOE: GEORGES.

Byline: Jon Wilner Daily News Staff Writer

To beat the Hurricanes, UCLA must first avoid the hurricane.

The Bruins were scheduled to depart for Miami this morning as Hurricane Georges continued its move across the Carribean towards Southern Florida. Whether UCLA lands in Miami or an alternate destination - and whether Saturday's game is played as scheduled - depends on the storm's course.

Approximately 80,000 residents in the Florida Keys have been evacuated, but there's a chance Georges will miss the mainland and move west into the Gulf of Mexico.

Meteorologists believe the storm will pass before Saturday's noon kickoff. But severe damage to the city of Miami and/or surrounding areas would prevent available security and medical personnel from working the game. One possibility is playing Sunday.

``It'll be Sunday or we're going home,'' Bruins coach Bob Toledo said. ``That's the latest we can play.''

If there's no kickoff this weekend, the earliest open date for both teams is Dec. 5.

Toledo cringed at that scenario, and while a two-month delay seems dramatic, there's no denying Georges' force. It killed dozens and left half of Puerto Rico without water and power earlier this week.

The last major hurricane to hit Miami was Andrew in 1992, which caused $30 billion damage as the worst natural disaster in U.S. history.

UCLA's charter was scheduled to depart LAX at 11 a.m. and land at 7:30 p.m. If the storm attacks tonight, the Bruins probably will divert to Atlanta, spend the night there, then fly to Miami on Friday.

Another option is flying into Orlando and driving to Miami. Worst case scenario: UCLA spends two nights in Atlanta/Orlando and arrives in Miami on Saturday morning, hours before kickoff.

``We're at the hurricane's disposal,'' Toledo said.

Been there, done that: Toledo had a first-hand hurricane experience (Eugene) while vacationing in Mexico in the mid-80s.

``There were 135-mph winds, and it looked like a war zone. It was very scary,'' he said.

So scary, Toledo's wife, Elaine, wants nothing to do with Georges. This will be the first game she's missed since Toledo became coach in 1996.

McNown exposed: UCLA quarterback and Heisman Trophy candidate Cade McNown has a rare chance to impress East Coast Heisman voters. The game will be televised nationally by CBS, with ex-Bruin coach Terry Donahue doing the commentary.

``One complaint is we don't get a lot of East Coast exposure and this is an opportunity to take advantage of that,'' Toledo said.

Josh's Webb: Converted defensive lineman Josh Webb has played well in his three weeks at offensive tackle. With Jim Ghezzi starting at guard until Oscar Cabrera (sprained ankle) returns, Webb is UCLA's top reserve tackle.

``He's not quite solid with the offense, but he's got some talent,'' Toledo said. ``(Eventually) he'll definitely be challenging for a starting spot.''

Movie of the week: All-American offensive tackle Kris Farris is a film buff who wants to make movies after his playing career. He has agreed to review a movie per week for the Daily News. This week's selection: Rounders.

``Matt Damon's newest film provides the audience with an educating insight into the complex mind of a professional poker player. While the film runs about 15 minutes too long and is very predictable, it is surprisingly captivating.

``The characters are well-developed and Damon and Edward Norton (Damon's sleazy friend) deliver a strong on-screen chemistry seldom seen in Hollywood today. The poker-game sequences are very educational and intense, allowing the audience to feel as if it were just dealt a winning hand.

``Rounders will have you on the edge of your seat for the final showdown between Norton and the seemingly unbeatable Teddy KGB (John Malkovich, with a Russian accent).''

Rating: three pancakes (out of four)