The key to Saturday's game will come down to two words for Arizona: rushing defense.

Coming off a game in which the Wildcats' defense surrendered 282 yards on the ground to North Texas, the unit can't be happy to know that Onterrio Smith, arguably the top back in the conference, will be in Arizona Stadium this weekend.

Smith's numbers haven't been as spectacular as expected so far this season ÷ 116.8 yards per game and seven touchdowns ÷ but he's still the most dangerous weapon on what is generally believed to be the best offense in the Pacific 10 Conference. [Read article]

In years past, traveling to the Pacific Northwest to take on Washington State and Washington has been a cakewalk for the Arizona women's volleyball team.

The Wildcats own an eight match-winning streak against the Cougars öö tonight's foe, and a nine match-winning streak against the Huskies öö tomorrow's opponent.

But with the Wildcats struggling this season, that may all be in jeopardy over the weekend. The Washington schools have enjoyed their best starts in school history. [Read article]

USA Softball announced Tuesday that five of the 22 athletes selected for the National Training Team are from the UA. Wildcat senior Lovie Jung and junior Mackenzie Vandergeest are among the players on the list. Former Wildcat All-American Jennie Finch will also play alongside Arizona graduates Nicole Giordano and Leah O'Brien-Amico.

The National Team will train throughout the winter in Chula Vista, Calif. [Read article]

No. 7 Oregon at Arizona

Everything points to an Oregon victory. Everything. We're injured, playing poorly, and they are good, healthy and have great fan support. Don't be surprised if there are more Oregon fans here than Arizona fans. It seems as though everyone is waiting for basketball season. Too bad they won't be around to watch us tear down the goalposts.

Arizona 35 Oregon 32

No. 20 USC at No. 17 Washington St. [Read article]

Arizona State (4-1, 1-0)
Last week: Beat Stanford 65-24
This week: North Carolina (1-3)

After starting the year as a backup to Chad Christensen, quarterback Andrew Walter is definitely making the most of his opportunity to start. In last week's game against Stanford, the sophomore threw for 414 yards and five touchdowns. Walter, who led the Sun Devils on comebacks in two straight games in relief of Christensen, now leads the nation in passing efficiency with a QB rating of 185.84. It's not the first time an ASU quarterback has been among the country's best in the statistic; last year's starter, Jeff Krohn, was second in the country for much of the first half of the season until a shoulder injury seriously hampered his play. [Read article]

Q: What is Oregon great Ahmad Rashad's given name?

A: Bobby Moore