Bordow: It’s hard to get excited for ASU-UA

 Let’s be honest: We won’t exactly be watching Ali-Frazier next Saturday in Tucson. Arizona State is 5-6. Arizona is 6-5.

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The Sun Devils’ season was ruined by a six-game losing streak. The Wildcats could have had a special year, but their defense collapsed in the final minute against Oregon State.

What we’re left with is two mediocre college football teams playing for a spot in the Poinsettia Bowl, Emerald Bowl or some other Why-Exactly-Is-This-Game-Being-Played Bowl.

Oklahoma-Texas, it isn’t.

But at least the Sun Devils gave themselves something to play for by thumping UCLA 34-9 Friday at Sun Devil Stadium.

A win gets them into a bowl game and helps them pretend that a 6-6 regular season and four-game winning streak are something to be proud of.

We know better, of course. Remember, ASU was picked to finish second in the Pac-10 in the preseason media poll. Conventional wisdom had the Sun Devils challenging USC for conference superiority.

But that was a long, long time ago, and given what’s transpired the past three months, any moral victory will have to do.

Besides, the alternative was much, much worse. Going to Tucson 4-7 and eliminated from bowl consideration?

Yuck.

So the conversation will pick up this week — somewhat — and the barbs will start flying and when the teams finally do take the field, there will be reason to watch.

But we’re not going to sit here and pretend ASU has gotten back on track by winning three straight games. It beat 0-11 Washington, 2-10 Washington State and 4-7 UCLA. That’s like being better looking than Larry, Moe and Curly.

Friday’s win was a perfect example of why it’s hard to get excited about the Devils. Yes, they played hard, but would you expect anything else on Senior Night, in the final home game of the year? Besides, this isn’t Little League. You don’t get a snow cone for trying hard.

The fact is, ASU’s offense still hasn’t found solid footing. The Sun Devils had 122 total yards. The defense scored all four touchdowns — three on interceptions, the third on a fumble — and special teams set up Thomas Weber’s two field goals.

The biggest play: Safety Troy Nolan’s 100-yard interception return early in the fourth quarter. UCLA was six yards from a touchdown that, with a two-point conversion, could have tied the score at 17-17.

Instead, when linebacker Mike Nixon picked off a pass and ran 45 yards for a score less than a minute later, what could have been a devastating loss turned into a misleading rout.

ASU’s defense has been impressive the last three weeks, but even that’s colored by the quality of the opposition. Washington, Washington State and UCLA all are ranked 100th or worse in total offense among bowl subdivision teams.

A more accurate test will come against the Wildcats. If the Sun Devils can stop quarterback Willie Tuitama and Co., then they can say they have something to build on for next year.

There will be much more intrigue in Tucson than there is in Tempe the next few days. Mike Stoops’ job could be in jeopardy if Arizona loses.

Dennis Erickson doesn’t have any such worries. He’s here for the long haul. But Erickson won’t have a peaceful offseason, either. There is much work to be done, including the recruitment of a junior-college quarterback.

For now, though, ASU can enjoy its winning streak and get ready for the Wildcats.

It’s not much, but it beats losing to UNLV.