Washington @ Arizona preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 29, 2011 ) Arizona 31, Washington 42

After defeating Stanford, Washington climbed into the Top 25 for the first time in three years. Back-to-back losses since, however, have not only knocked them out of the poll but into fifth place in the Pac-12 North Division. The Huskies have finally finished a brutal stretch of games where they face four ranked teams, three of which have national title hopes. How they'll respond the rest of the way beginning with Saturday's game at Arizona will define their season.

Arizona has lost three straight including a heartbreaker at Stanford last time out. The Wildcats led by 14 points in the fourth quarter only to lose the wild 54-48 affair in overtime. Coach Rich Rodriguez has certainly lit a fire in the Arizona offense. In his first season in the desert, the Wildcats average 37 points, but Rodriguez is still searching for his first Pac-12 victory.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network. LINE: Arizona -7.5

ABOUT WASHINGTON (3-3, 1-2 Pac-12): For the most part, the Huskies were dominated by USC in their 24-14 loss last week. Washington, however, had a chance to make it a one-possession game in the fourth quarter but quarterback Keith Price was stripped inside the red zone once and later was responsible for two more turnovers to end the Huskies' upset hopes. Washington continues to have problems protecting Price. The offensive line has four first-year starters and they surrendered five sacks last week, leaving the junior skittish to stay in the pocket. The Huskies have won 11 of the past 17 games against Arizona, including a 42-31 victory last year at home as tailback Chris Polk scored five times.

ABOUT ARIZONA (3-3, 0-3): The Wildcats have also struggled playing three straight ranked opponents and four in its first six games. While pressuring Price is a priority, Arizona is ranked 107th in the nation in sacks. The Wildcats are first in the conference in passing offense but may look to pound the ball against Washington, which ranks last in the Pac-12 in run defense. Senior quarterback Matt Scott set Pac-12 records for pass attempts (69) and completions (45) in the loss at Stanford and the high-octane attack ran a record 109 offensive plays. The Wildcats are coming off their only open date this season and are 3-1 at home.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Washington has turned the ball over nine times in its last two games.

2. The home team has won the past four meetings.

3. Washington has failed to score more than 21 points against an FBS school this season.

PREDICTION: Arizona 38, Washington 34