Ryan Leaf has heard it a thousand times.

The comparison of him to Drew Bledsoe, the best quarterback Washington State has produced. Bledsoe was taken in the first round of the 1993 draft and is now a star with the NFL's New England Patriots.

"Those comparisons have been around since the first day I stepped on this campus," Leaf said. "All that really compares between us is our size. I haven't done anything to the scale of his accomplishments."

Leaf's strong arm and 6-foot-4, 238-pound frame do come close to Bledsoe's, but that isn't all. His instincts and ability to get the ball to the right receiver anywhere on the field is what impresses scouts and coaches.

"He has good movement skills and he can throw all the passes - deep balls, intermediate passes - and he possesses good touch on the short stuff," UA defensive coordinator Larry Mac Duff said. "I see him a little bit as Drew Bledsoe was a few years ago."

As often as the comparison does happen, it hasn't overwhelmed the sophomore.

"I don't think about trying to be like Bledsoe," Leaf said. "I play how I play."

Playing for the Cougars and getting better with each game is all that matters to Leaf.

"He is studying the game, watching films, reading coverage, knowing the game plan," Washington State coach Mike Price said. "He is really on top of it mentally."

Last week against San Jose State, Leaf threw for 355 yards and four touchdowns on only 25 attempts. It was his third straight game with four touchdowns and more than 200 yards passing. Leaf was awarded the Pacific 10 Conference offensive player of the week for his effort against the Spartans.

However, Leaf would be the last person to tell you he had a great game.

"The receivers and the offensive line do all the hard work," he said. "My job is to not make mistakes and make sure I get it to them."

Leaf has impressive numbers, especially considering he has started only five times, his first coming in the Cougars' final game last season against Washington. In that game he finished with 291 passing yards and a touchdown. However, the team lost 33-30 and finished the season 3-8. The big difference from then to now for Leaf is his belief in himself.

"You can't walk on the field and say that the other team's quarterback is better than you," Leaf said. "You have to have confidence in your abilities or you are going to struggle."

So far this season that has only happened once. In the Cougars' first game, against Colorado in Boulder, Leaf was under constant pressure and completed only 13 passes for 163 yards.

Already 1-0 in the Pac-10 after a 55-44 win over Oregon, Leaf knows tomorrow night's game against Arizona is huge for the Cougars' conference title hopes. They are playing on the road and against a UA team that is in a must-win situation.

"Arizona, in their house, is definitely not going to be easy," Leaf said. "I know they are going to be coming after me."

Arizona coaches have seen him on film and know what he is capable of doing.

"What is impressive is how little he has thrown the ball and he still has the big numbers," UA head coach Dick Tomey said. "We are going to have to get pressure in the backfield."

Adding to the problems is Leaf's growth in calling plays at the line of scrimmage.

"He is using his audible system wonderfully," Price said. "I'm glad to see the way that he has progressed."

Although the Bledsoe comparisons are not going to go away - especially if the Cougars continue to improve - Leaf has learned not to dwell on them.

"If people want to give us attention, that is great, but it is not a big deal to us," Leaf said. "I love playing with my teammates and winning is plenty good for a reward."

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