UCLA's season is likely to be all about new coach Rick Neuheisel and how he is building the Bruins to the point where they can someday compete with USC.

"I think you have to embrace it," Neuheisel said at Pac-10 Media Day, speaking of USC and the rivalry. "They're that elephant in the living room. And they've earned it."

The arrival of Neuheisel -- along with the retention of defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker and the addition of offensive coordinator Norm Chow -- has UCLA fans excited about the future.

As for the present, UCLA should have its share of struggles this season, shaky at the quarterback position and probably worse than that on the offensive line.

Neuheisel has Ben Olson at quarterback, but only because Patrick Cowan suffered a season-ending ACL injury in spring after being named the starter. Olson suffered a broken foot in spring, lost valuable preparation time in the summer and wasn't 100t the start of camp.

In addition to wanting to see Olson shed his inconsistent ways, Neuheisel has called upon Olson to be a stronger and more vocal leader. That's what Chow wants to see, too.

"Hopefully he takes this thing and runs with it, knowing that he's the guy and knowing that he's the leader, and plays the way he should," Chow told the Los Angeles Times.

Olson, an often-injured senior, has 10 career starts at UCLA, having completed 152 of 275 passes for 1,873 yards, with 12 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

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