PACIFIC 10 CONFERENCE FOOTBALL / DAN HAFNER : Arizona Plays Common Denominator

Washington is No. 1 in the Associated Press poll and Miami in the USA Today-CNN poll, and the coaches are arguing about who is running up scores.

But, it could well be that Arizona will determine which winds up national champion.

The surprising Wildcats can settle the issue by upsetting Washington on Saturday at Tucson. On the other hand, a decisive victory by the Huskies almost assuredly would give them the top spot in both polls.

The Wildcats, in a major about-face after a poor start, played Miami to a standstill Sept. 26 at Miami, losing, 8-7, after missing a long field goal on the final play.

Since then, Arizona has proved it was no fluke. After holding Miami to two yards rushing, the Wildcats have won four in a row and have the best defense against the run in the nation.

The big question is whether Washington will be able to run on a defense that has given up a net 65 yards rushing in the last five games.

“We are a much improved team since Miami,” Arizona Coach Dick Tomey said. “At the time we played Miami we didn’t have much of an offense, but it has been getting better every week.

“We feel certain that our defense will continue to play well, but if we hope to win, we’ll have to protect our quarterback. The Huskies have had amazing success at getting to the passer.”

Stanford players, especially center Brian Cassidy, say Washington will not have much trouble with Arizona. Although both teams beat the Cardinal handily, Cassidy predicted the Huskies would beat Arizona “badly.”

The Wildcats don’t agree.

“We have been playing and beating some pretty good teams,” Tomey said. “We have been playing with great enthusiasm, and there was no letdown last week. I think we’ll be ready for Washington.”

Coach Don James of the Huskies is concerned about running the ball against Arizona.

“You know Arizona wasn’t playing teams without any runners,” James said. “Russell White of California and Glyn Milburn of Stanford are two of the best in the country. We face a difficult task.”

The Huskies, 8-0 and with a 22-game winning streak, played their best game last week. While the improving defense stopped Stanford, the offense made its most impressive showing.

“We knew we were facing the two toughest conference teams on successive weeks,” James said. “I really liked the way we responded. But we still have to win two more games to assure a third straight Rose Bowl trip. This one doesn’t figure to be easy.”

Tomey said he did not intend to answer any questions comparing Washington and Miami--either before or after the game.

“I really couldn’t care less,” he said. “All I’m interested in is winning this football game.”

They are advertising the Arizona State-Washington State game at Pullman as a showdown between two of the best passers in the nation.

There may be a more important confrontation, though, than the one between Drew Bledsoe of Washington State and Grady Benton of the Sun Devils.

It is the anticipated meeting of Bledsoe, rated by many the best college quarterback, and Arizona State defensive end Shante Carver. They have met before.

With another year of eligibility left, the 6-foot-5, 225-pound Carver has set a school record with 29 sacks in 30 games. Carver, converted this season from linebacker, has had eight in two games against Bledsoe, also 6-5 and weighing 224.

“We think Bledsoe is the best quarterback,” Arizona State Coach Bruce Snyder said. “But I’m sure he knows that Shante will be coming after him.

“We have four things we try to do to stop the quarterback. First, there’s sacking him. Next, forcing him to throw in a hurry. Then, there’s tipping the ball and, finally, hitting the receiver so hard he drops the ball. We have to do those things to beat the Cougars.”

Despite a rocky start involving players arrested and suspensions, Snyder said he has enjoyed his first year at Tempe.

“This team has shrugged off the off-field problems and played with great heart,” he said. “Really, with all the problems, I have enjoyed coaching this team.”

The emergence of Benton is one of the brightest spots. He has been the spark for the offense.

“His accuracy mark is not a fluke,” Snyder said. “He throws the ball on target most of the time.”

Coach Mike Price said the defeat by USC didn’t cause the Cougars to let down last week against Oregon.

“It was more the way Oregon played,” he said. “Their defense was tremendous. We made it easier when we resorted to running after Drew was sacked a couple of times.

“We need to get back to our passing game, and we need a victory in the worst way. If we protect Drew, he’ll do the job.”

It would not be surprising if there were numerous turnovers in the California-Oregon game at Eugene, Ore. The Bears are last in turnover ratio and the Ducks are eighth.

“It’s the main reason why we both have 4-4 records,” Oregon Coach Rich Brooks said. “Cal’s too good to have that kind of record. In this season, with the defenses playing so well, it is hard to move the ball. So giveaways are even more disastrous.”

Pacific 10 Notes

Grady Benton of Arizona State has a shot at two efficiency records. He has completed 106 of 154 passes for a 69.3% mark. The Pac-10 record is 70.7% by Rich Campbell of California in 1980. The NCAA mark is 71.3% by Steve Young of Brigham Young in 1983. . . . The Washington-Arizona game doesn’t figure to be a high-scoring affair. Those teams are tied for the conference lead in fewest points allowed, 9.3 per game, and second in the nation behind Alabama’s 7.0.

Stanford linebacker Ron George leads the Pac-10 in sacks with 12. He has 30 in 31 games. . . . With only USC against Notre Dame remaining, the Pac-10 has posted a 22-7-1 record against nonconference opponents. This includes a 5-3 record against ranked rivals.