Other articles by Ryan Finley:

Scout team vet proud of career, eyes law schoolHope for great leap forward No masking big 'GameDay' question: Will it be Wilbur? Corso has a lot on his shoulders Insert here, expect change Sometimes just let it go Final three games will define season Ryan Finley's AP Top 25 poll picks ESPN bringing 'GameDay' to UA UA thrown for a loop

Sales and Marketing
Ever-Ready Glass
Glass Sales Health Care
BENSON HOSPITAL
RESPIRATORY THERAPIST Health Care
RLM Services, Inc.
Orthopedic Assistant-CMA

Back when they were weekly underdogs, the Arizona Wildcats lived for games like this.

Midseason games against ranked teams — on homecoming, no less — often motivated the Wildcats to play the role of spoiler. The UA embraced the challenge, typically because it was a chance to make headlines in seasons that were often lost by the first of November.

If anybody knows what Washington State is capable of this afternoon at Arizona Stadium, it's Arizona. The Cougars may be one of the nation's worst teams, but they're anything but a walkover.

Like the Arizona teams of old, WSU is desperate for a breakthrough win.

"They've got nothing to lose," UA tailback Nicolas Grigsby said. "They're going to come in here and try to ruin our dreams."

The 18th-ranked Wildcats' aspirations seem to grow by the week.

Arizona (5-2 overall, 3-1 Pac-10) can qualify for the postseason with a win today, and could increase the prestige of its bowl destination with victories over any of its four remaining opponents — Cal, Oregon, Arizona State and USC. As daunting as their remaining schedule is, the Wildcats still control their destiny. A clean sweep of its final five games would assure Arizona a berth in its first-ever Rose Bowl, if not something better.

First, however, the Wildcats must guard against a major upset in front of a homecoming crowd.

The Cougars (1-7, 0-5) just might be the worst team in major college football. They've been outscored by an average of 37-14 this season, outgained nearly 2-to-1 and outclassed by both the nation's best (USC, Oregon) and worst (Hawaii) teams. Wazzu ranks last in the Pac-10 in most major categories, including points per game, total offense and total defense.

"Washington State's more than capable of coming in here and winning," UA coach Mike Stoops said. "Now, does anybody expect that? Probably not. But it happens every week. I think it's important that you do the things necessary to win: Protect the football, prepare and play well on all sides."

Arizona's success starts, again, at quarterback. Sophomore Nick Foles threw three interceptions in his last start, a 27-13 win over UCLA, while battling what he later described as a severe upper respiratory infection.

Rest, medicine and a well-timed bye week has Foles back to 100 percent. The rest of his teammates aren't so lucky. Tailbacks Nicolas Grigsby and Greg Nwoko are expected to miss today's game with shoulder injuries. Defensive end Brooks Reed, the team's best pass-rusher, continues to battle a high ankle sprain. And wide receiver Terrell Turner, safety Cam Nelson and a handful of other players have been slowed by flu-like symptoms.

Washington State may be healthy, but its on-field performance has been downright sickly. Freshman quarterback Jeff Tuel, a Tucson native, has been one of the team's few bright spots. Tuel threw for 104 yards and two touchdowns in last week's loss to Notre Dame in San Antonio but was intercepted twice. If nothing else, Tuel has the moxie — if not the pass-protection — to be dangerous in the Pac-10.

The same goes for the Cougars who, while still a work in progress, are bound to sneak up on some team, some week.

The Wildcats are just hoping it doesn't happen today.

"You can only go one game at a time," Stoops said. "All we can do this week is be 6-2 at the end of the week — or we can be 5-3."