UCLA @ Arizona preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 30, 2010 ) Arizona 29, UCLA 21

THE STORY: It was only a matter of time that Arizona’s failures would cost coach Mike Stoops his job. After five straight losses the ax fell a week ago, ending Stoops’ 7½ years with the program. Stoops had some success but lately failed to maintain the program’s image, the Desert Swarm defense. Arizona ranks last in the Pac-12 in just about every important defensive category. Defensive coordinator Tim Kish makes his interim-coaching debut against Rick Neuheisel, another coach on the hot seat, when Arizona hosts UCLA in a nationally-televised conference battle in the Desert Thursday night.

TV: ESPN; LINE: Arizona -4

ABOUT UCLA (3-3, 2-1 Pac-12): The Bruins have done more flip-flopping than a GOP presidential candidate lately. Unsettled at quarterback, the Bruins have gone back-and-forth with Kevin Prince and Richard Brehaut. That rotation has certainly come to an end following the broken leg Brehaut suffered last game. Prince will be back under center against the Wildcats after leading UCLA to a come-from-behind 28-25 win over Washington State in its last outing. But no matter who’s throwing the ball, the Bruins would like to run behind Johnathan Franklin (2,092 career yards) and Derrick Coleman, who have powered UCLA to the 28th best rushing attack in the country. They’ve scored at least one rushing TD in 12 straight games.

ABOUT ARIZONA (1-5, 0-4 Pac-12): The Wildcats seemed headed toward the top of the conference after starting last season 7-1. But since then Arizona has lost 10 of its last 11 games. A 37-27 setback to a then-winless Oregon State team on Oct. 8 proved to be Stoops’ last stand. The Wildcats have beaten UCLA the last three times in the desert and still have a solid offense led by quarterback Nick Foles and his talented receivers. Foles has thrown for 2,250 yards on the season, second best in the nation, and 15 touchdowns. Arizona’s running-game, however, is a mess, a victim of a young offensive line. It ranks next-to-last in the country averaging just 71 yards a game.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Arizona defeated UCLA 29-21 last season in a game played at the Rose Bowl. The Wildcats have won the last four in the series.

2. Explosive Wildcat WR Juron Criner is questionable with a knee sprain.

3. The Wildcats have surrendered at least 37 points in its last five games.

PREDICTION: Arizona 31, UCLA 28 -- Don’t expect too much defense in this one, but Foles should be able to carve up the Bruins in the air in a tight contest at Tucson.