Arizona @ Oregon State preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 9, 2010 ) Oregon State 29, Arizona 27

THE STORY: Fans at this Saturday’s game between Arizona and host Oregon State should plan on staying awhile because both teams clearly like to throw the ball. Redshirt freshman quarterback Sean Mannion set the Oregon State record for pass attempts with 66 and completions with 40 last week against Arizona State, while Arizona and Nick Foles are third nationally in passing offense with 384 yards per game. Both teams are off to slow starts and looking for their firsft Pac-12 Conference victory of the season.

TV: FCS-Pacific. LINE: Arizona - 2

ABOUT ARIZONA (1-4, 0-3 Pac-12 South): Arizona’s passing game is among the nation’s best, but its running game is nearly the worst in the country at 76 yards per game. The Wildcats have been outscored 55-3 in the first quarter of the past four games, which isn’t too surprising considering they have faced Stanford, Oregon, Oklahoma State and Southern Cal. The Wildcats could receive a boost on defense if safety Adam Hall is able to play. Hall has been out since March with an ACL tear, but he looked sharp in practice this week. The junior had 54 tackles and two interceptions last season. The Wildcats have made only 2-of-5 field goal tries this season, and missed two extra point attempts last week.

ABOUT OREGON STATE (0-4, 0-2 Pac-12 North): The Beavers are 111th out of 120 in the country in scoring at 16.8 points per game, and they have scored only seven touchdowns while every other conference team has at least 14. Freshman running back Terron Ward could receive a heavy workload as the Beavers aim for a more balanced attack against the porous Arizona defense, which is giving up 503 yards of total offense per game. Cornerback Jordan Poyer had two interceptions last week against Arizona State, and he’ll need another big game against the Wildcats’ aerial attack. Oregon State, which has lost six straight, has been outscored 63-17 in the second quarter this season.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Only six teams in the FBS have more penalties per game than Arizona's 8.6.

2. Arizona leads the series 21-12-1, but Oregon State has won 10 of the last 12 meetings.

3. Oregon State freshman Malcolm Agnew, who has missed three games since rushing for 223 yards in the season opener against Sacramento State, is doubtful for Saturday’s game with a hamstring injury.

PREDICTION: Arizona 38, Oregon State 27 - After facing four high-powered offenses over the past month, the Wildcats’ defense regains some respectability against the struggling Beavers.