Colorado @ Arizona preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 12, 2011 ) Arizona 29, Colorado 48

Arizona will probably be without quarterback Matt Scott when it hosts Colorado on Saturday. Scott, a fifth-year senior, suffered a concussion during the Wildcats' 66-10 loss to UCLA last Saturday and is listed as doubtful. If Scott cannot play, B.J. Denker, a junior college transfer, will get the call. Colorado's nightmare season continues as it has lost five consecutive games and has been outscored 261-51 during that span. The Buffaloes, who were outgained 436-76 in a 48-0 loss to Stanford last week, have been outscored 124-6 in the first half of their last three games.

TV: 1:30 p.m. ET, FX. LINE: Arizona -30.5

ABOUT COLORADO (1-8, 1-5 Pac-12): Last season, the Buffaloes entered the Arizona game with a 1-9 record and a seven-game losing streak before routing the Wildcats 48-29. They'll be hard-pressed to duplicate the feat with the worst scoring defense in the country at 46.3 points per game and an offense which is third-to-last at 16.1. Colorado used three quarterbacks last week - senior Jordan Webb, and sophomores Nick Hirschman and Connor Wood. Coach Jon Embree said Hirschman and Wood will compete for Saturday's starting job. Freshman running back Christian Powell leads the team in rushing with 488 yards and five touchdowns, but 268 of the yards and all five scores came in two games.

ABOUT ARIZONA (5-4, 2-4): Denker had a rough time against the Bruins. He fumbled on his third play, was 2-of-5 passing for 12 yards, rushed eight times for seven yards and was sacked three times. The Wildcats have the No. 8 passing game in the nation, but may have to alter their gameplan without Scott. Sophomore running back Ka'Daem Carey, who is third in the Pac-12 with 1,015 rushing yards and second with 14 touchdowns, has six 100-yard games this season. He will go to work against the Pac-12's worst rushing defense. The Wildcats have also struggled on defense - they are last in the Pac-12 at 498 yards allowed per game. Colorado yields 497.3. Arizona needs one victory to become bowl-eligible.

EXTRA POINTS

1. All eight of Arizona's FBS opponents have been ranked - or are ranked - in the Top 25 this season and have a combined record of 54-16.

2. The Wildcats have averaged 48.7 points in their last 37 home games.

3. Colorado leads the series 13-1, with Arizona's only victory a 24-21 decision in 1986.


PREDICTION: Arizona 48, Colorado 21