Game 9 planner: UCLA at Arizona, Saturday, Nov. 3

So what now? Trick or treat?

Which Bruin team will show up? The one that played gritty football on the road at Oregon State until the offense woke up and with some lucky bounces turned a nail-biter into a 40-14 win? Or last week’s inept offensive performance that led to a 27-7 win for a Washington State team that had been winless in the conference?

Although most Bruin fans have a strong memory of UCLA’s last trip to Tucson, a 52-14 drubbing of a then-undefeated Bruin team in 2005, Bruin Coach Karl Dorrell’s team won there in his first season in 2003, 24-21. That was in the middle of a five-game win streak, but it was followed by a five-game losing streak to end the season.

Today, UCLA will have to focus its defensive efforts on stopping Arizona quarterback Willie Tuitama. After being better known as a runner in his first two years, he has completed 64.6% of his passes this season for 2,804 yards and 21 touchdowns against just nine interceptions. Arizona has passed on 63% of its scrimmage plays so far this year.

The Wildcats have taken 22 sacks, however, and have lost 11 fumbles in addition to the nine interceptions, so turnovers and mistakes are a problem for Arizona. That could present opportunities for the Bruin front seven to bring pressure and make Tuitama hurry. His favorite receiver, by far, is Mike Thomas, who has 63 catches for 712 yards and nine touchdowns.

The Wildcat defense has been steady, giving up 130.7 yards a game on the ground, but only 243.9 yards a game in the air. Bruin quarterback Patrick Cowan looked faster and more mobile in practice this week, and if he can return to a healthy form he can cause some trouble. With Khalil Bell out, Chris Markey returns to the starting 11 and will be assisted by Chane Moline and Christian Ramirez, both of whom got reps in practice this week.

If the Bruins are going to win, they had better get an early lead. Arizona has been outscored 157-110 in the first halves of their games, but have been strong in the third quarter (64-40) and in the fourth (77-54). Just last week, Tuitama led the ‘Cats back from a 26-41 deficit in Seattle as Arizona shocked Washington, 48-41. In the fourth quarter, he completed 13 of 14 passes for 130 yards and three touchdowns. But Arizona is 0-5 when its opponent scores first.

UCLA has its Rose Bowl fate in its own hands going into today’s game. On paper, Arizona is the least impressive of the four remaining Bruin opponents — including Arizona State, Oregon and USC — but beating lesser teams has been an issue for the 2007 UCLA football team.

No one knows what to expect, even the oddsmakers. UCLA opened a three-point choice, but the spread was down to one on Friday, with an over-under of 49. That projects to a 25-24 UCLA win, but after the Utah, Notre Dame and Washington State games, no one can predict if this will be a trick or a treat for the Bruins in the Arizona desert.