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UA, ASU are mirror images of struggling teams

The Arizona and Arizona State football teams have been consistent this season in one area - it's that they're both inconsistent.

ASU has pulled out big wins (28-7 at Washington), close wins (28-27 over UCLA) and blowout wins (31-13 over Texas Tech).

But at the same time the Sun Devils (5-5 overall, 4-3 Pacific 10 Conference) have had crushing losses (50-30 to Stanford last week), humiliating losses (35-7 to New Mexico State) and close losses (20-17 at Oregon).

UA has come from behind (35-31 at Texas Christian) and blown teams out (33-7 at UCLA) as well, while also suffering humiliating losses (41-7 at Penn State), crushing losses (33-25 vs. Washington) and close losses (44-41 vs. Oregon).

"ASU at times has looked terrific," UA head coach Dick Tomey said. "They have a very explosive offense and their defense has had games where it has been very difficult to move the ball against."

Arizona scores more points with 28.4 per game to ASU's 24, but UA has given up more, as well (29.3 to ASU's 26.1).

The Wildcats have just lost back-to-back games for the first time all season while ASU lost back-to-back games earlier this season. Neither team has managed to win more than three in a row this year.

"You could say that they have had some similar problems," Tomey said. "The team that wins the game will be the team that solves those problems the best."

And now both teams face each other needing to win the game between them on Nov. 27 in Tempe to go to a bowl game.

Nothing like that fact to add a little more spice to the rivalry.

"Yeah, that makes it a lot bigger (of a game)," UA freshman wide receiver Bobby Wade said. "This game is bigger than the ASU-Arizona rivalry. It's for pride and a winning season. Everything lies on this game."

The overall statistics for Arizona's season don't necessarily tell everything, but they do go a long way to showing some of the team's problems.

The opposition has 23 first downs on penalties, whereas the Wildcats have only eight.

UA has 2,451 rushing yards while giving up only 1,493, but Arizona has only two more rushing touchdowns than its opponents (21-19).

The turnover discrepancy remains notable as well. UA has only five interceptions and six fumble recoveries. The opposition has scooped up 10 Wildcat fumbles and picked off 13 passes.

And then there's the kicking game, where UA is 6-for-18 and the opposition is 13-for-19 in field goals.