Arizona @ Colorado preview

THE STORY: Last place in the Pac-12 South is on the line when Colorado hosts Arizona. The Buffaloes were victimized by Southern Cal quarterback Matt Barkley’s school-record six touchdown passes in their 42-17 loss last week and will face another exceptional quarterback in the Wildcats’ Nick Foles. Arizona is coming off a 34-21 loss to Utah. Colorado, which has lost seven straight, will try to send the Class of ’12 out with its first Pac-12 victory in its final home game. Arizona has lost seven of eight, but will try to finish strong over its final three games under interim coach Tim Kish.

TV: FCS Pacific. LINE: Arizona -10.5

ABOUT COLORADO (1-9, 0-6 Pac-12): The Buffaloes are 0-4 at home, and have been outscored 87-19 in their last two games at Folsom Field. Colorado is 117th among 120 FBS teams in points allowed per game (38.7) and has lost its last five games by an average of 34.2 points. It is also 97th in passing yards allowed (255.8) and will face the No. 4 passing team (370.1). Offensively, the Buffaloes have struggled on third down (98th, 35.57 percent) and running the ball (114th, 94.4 yards).

ABOUT ARIZONA (2-7, 1-6 Pac-12): The Wildcats, 0-4 on the road, are 112th in rushing with 94.7 yards per game. Foles has completed 68.8 percent of his passes with 22 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, and with NFL size at 6-5, 240 pounds, he could be a high selection in the draft. His favorite targets are Juron Criner (50 catches, eight touchdowns) and David Douglas, who had 10 receptions for 156 yards and two touchdowns last week. Defensively, Arizona is 106th in points allowed (34.8). Kish, who replaced the fired Mike Stoops, is 1-2.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Arizona and Colorado are 11th and 12th in the Pac-12 in points allowed and in total defense (Colorado, 447.2 yards; Arizona, 452.2).

2. Arizona is 4-1 in its last five games as a favorite of 10.5 points or more, while Colorado is 2-5 in its last seven as home underdog of 10.5 or more.

3. The teams last met in 1986, when Arizona prevailed 24-21 for its first victory after losing the first 12 of the series that began in 1931.

PREDICTION: Arizona 38, Colorado 24 -- Oddsmakers do not give the Buffaloes a chance, and neither will their struggling pass defense.