By Ryan Finley
The Arizona Wildcats will take on No. 25 California on Saturday, the first game in what is undoubtedly the program's most important six-game stretch in a decade. Coach Mike Stoops is hoping for a home-field advantage. Four of the Wildcats' remaining games will take place at Arizona Stadium, where the team is 3-0 this season. The UA will play Cal and USC in back-to-back weeks, host Oregon State on Nov. 22 and finish the season against Arizona State on Dec. 6. "Look at our numbers," Stoops implored. "They're drastically different here than they are on the road. Those are things we have to our advantage. "I hope we can get a lot of energy in our stadium this week and create the atmosphere that this is a big game for us. Hopefully, that'll help us."
The Wildcats are 5-1 at home since Oct. 1, 2007, their only loss coming to Stanford a year ago. Arizona has outscored its opponents 247-102. During that same span, the Wildcats are 2-5 on the road. They have been outscored 182-176. The reasons for Arizona's home success vary. The Wildcats have played just one ranked team at Arizona Stadium since the start of the 2007 season. They opened this year with wins over Idaho and Toledo, followed by a victory over hapless Washington. Then there is the comfort factor.
Arizona's players have repeatedly praised the commitment of the Zona Zoo student section and hardcore fans, especially when top-notch programs come to town. Under Stoops, the Wildcats have upset four ranked teams — No. 18 Arizona State, No. 7 UCLA, No. 8 California and No. 2 Oregon — at Arizona Stadium. They have just one win over a ranked team on the road. "We've proven we're capable of big-time wins," place-kicker Jason Bondzio said. "It just depends on which team shows up."
Perspective needed
Arizona's players urged fans to have a little perspective in the wake of last weekend's loss to Stanford.
Defensive end Ricky Elmore said he was surprised to read criticism of his team on Web sites and message boards on Sunday. Ness referred to some critical fans as "bandwagon-jumpers" and stressed that the UA still can win the Pac-10. "We win, everybody loves us. We lose, everyone hates us," Elmore said. "I think people need to stick with us and not get down on us. We need everyone's support." Ness said: "People lose games. It happens at every level of competition."
The pressure to succeed appears to be affecting everyone. Elmore said he was hit by a teammate during Saturday's game in an attempt to get him to toughen up. He said Arizona seniors will be extra tough on the upperclassmen in practice this week. "It's going to be a tough week of practice," he said. "There's going to be a lot of players getting on each other."
Injury report
Cornerback Devin Ross and offensive tackle Adam Grant are both expected to practice this week and should play Saturday against Cal. Ross missed the first half of the game at Stanford because of a strained groin. Coaches summoned him to replace Trevin Wade at halftime. "As good as he felt and played, he probably should have played from the beginning," Stoops said. Grant continues to recover from a broken finger suffered in the first half against Washington. James Tretheway played in his place against Stanford.
● Linebacker Xavier Kelley seems to have fully recovered from a sprained ankle suffered in Week 2. He received significant playing time against Cal. "This last week was probably the first time I saw his burst of acceleration," Stoops said.
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