Bordow: ASU, Arizona experiencing role reversal

Dennis Erickson watched the University of Arizona’s 42-27 victory over California last Saturday.

His impression?

“I think Arizona is playing extremely well,” he said.

ASU notebook: Sun Devils still hope to make noise in Pac-10

When’s the last time an Arizona State football coach said that — and meant it?

The Sun Devils are used to looking down on the Wildcats, in more ways than one.

Now who’s chortling?

Arizona is playing in meaningful football games and thinking about a top-three finish in the Pac-10.

ASU is just hoping it can rescue its season by beating Arizona and playing in any bowl game, anywhere.

Talk about a role reversal.

Tucson has become Tempe, and Tempe has become Tucson.

“We can still have an outstanding season,” Erickson said Monday.

“We can still finish with a nine-win season,” quarterback Rudy Carpenter added.

OK, let’s hold on here.

Outstanding?

Only if a berth in the Poinsettia Bowl was the goal in August.

Nine wins?

That would mean ASU wins its six remaining regular-season games and its bowl game.

Tell you what, Rudy: If your wish comes true, I’ll wear an all-pink outfit — pink being your favorite color — to the postseason banquet.

(I thought about walking naked down Mill Avenue, but no one wants to see that.)

Let’s be realistic. Nine wins and an outstanding season — at least by the standard definition of outstanding — are beyond ASU’s grasp. Nothing in the Sun Devils’ 2-4 record suggests that they’re about to suddenly become a Pac-10 powerhouse.

But the season is salvageable.

ASU should beat Washington, Washington State and UCLA, given that the Bruins will have to travel to Sun Devil Stadium. That would give the Sun Devils five wins.

If ASU can somehow split the next two games against Oregon and Oregon State, it would be 6-5 heading into its war with Arizona on Dec. 6.

The entire season would then be defined by that one game.

If the Sun Devils win, they’d finish 7-5 overall and, more importantly, 6-3 in the Pac-10.

Not great, but after a 2-4 start, more than acceptable.

On the other hand, a 6-6 record and a loss to Arizona would be devastating. Whatever optimism Erickson generated with his first season would be washed away in a river of anger.

“There’s still a lot to play for,” Erickson said.

No doubt.

The question is, will ASU’s players understand that?

Will they pay close attention in practice? Will they watch as much film as they should?

Or will their focus wander because their preseason goals have been vanquished?

It’s easy to show up on Saturdays, when the band is playing and the students are screaming. It’s not so easy on Wednesday night when you’re in eighth place in the Pac-10.

“I like the character of our football team,” Erickson said. “I really believe they’ll fight back.”

Saturday night would be a good place to start.

The Oregon Ducks are good, but Dennis Dixon won’t be on the field. It’s a game ASU, playing at home, should win.

“If you look at the positive side, obviously we feel we can win a lot of these games we’re playing,” Carpenter said.

Funny, that’s what the Wildcats have been saying all these years.