The Bruins earned a much-need 35-32 win over Rutgers last weekend to improve to 2-5 on the season. Though UCLA's chances at bowl eligibility look slim, the Bruins did enough to take down a gritty Big Ten program with a winning record.

Washington got pounded by Iowa in its most recent game and managed just 18 points in a loss to Rutgers on the same field where the Bruins nearly doubled that total against the Scarlet Knights. USC has lost four of its last five games and is being coached by someone who might go down as less popular among the fan base than Clay Helton.

After scoring five touchdowns and leading UCLA football to their first Big Ten conference win, Bruins quarterback Ethan Garbers has been named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week. Garbers was additionally nominated for the Week 8 Manning Award Star of the Week.