Finally, there is a week of Pacific-10 Conference play with no non-conference matchups and no bye weeks for any teams. Expectations for many teams have begun to evaporate, if not disappear, since the beginning of the season that began eight weeks ago.

Arizona (1-6 overall,

0-3 Pac-10)

at California (3-5, 1-2)
If it was any other year, this game would be a yawner. But this isn’t any ordinary year.
California has been resurgent since the addition of Jeff Tedford as its head coach, and while Arizona hasn’t done much of anything this season, it has become more competitive in recent weeks.
Arizona has interim coach Mike Hankwitz calling the shots, and it seems to be working. The Wildcats were only one defensive stop away from upsetting current Pac-10 unbeaten UCLA two weeks ago.
California is coming off of a near-upset bid against UCLA as well. Arizona rolls into Memorial Stadium having won the last matchup between the Golden Bears and the Wildcats in a barn burner, 52-41.
The Wildcats have a two-headed quarterback of sorts. Nic Costa completed two touchdown passes against the Bruins and Kris Heavner threw for another.
Arizona should be well rested coming off a bye week, so Hankwitz can further his impression on the Wildcats.

Arizona State (4-3, 1-2)

at UCLA (5-2, 3-0)
Cannon-armed Andrew Walter leads the Sun Devils into the Rose Bowl on Saturday to take on UCLA.
The Bruins survived a fourth-quarter scare from Cal last weekend, only to prevail in overtime. Arizona State has had two confidence-boosting games in both wins against Oregon and last week against North Carolina.
First-year head coach Karl Dorrell has his Bruins looking to be the surprise team of the Pac-10. A tough non-conference schedule, which includes Colorado and Oklahoma, has prepared UCLA for the enigma that is the Pac-10.

Oregon State (5-2, 2-1) at Washington State (6-1, 3-0)
Washington State continues to control its own destiny toward a potential Pac-10 crown, while Oregon State must bounce back after a disappointing loss at the hands of Washington.
Oregon State, coming off a bye week in which it had two weeks to prepare for the Huskies, came out listless against an inspired Washington squad. Steven Jackson has rushed for 926 yards this season, which is good for more than five Pac-10 teams. However, he finished his day — and maybe his Heisman Trophy hopes — with 49 yards rushing on 22 carries against the Huskies.
The Cougars lead the league in interceptions with 14 but have thrown only five themselves, which is the best among the Pac-10 teams. Washington State holds the Pac-10’s longest conference winning streak at four games and has won five straight overall.