Arizona Game Could Be a Showcase for Chow

Despite a 1-8 record going into today’s game against Washington, Arizona has reason to look forward to next Saturday’s home game against second-ranked USC.

The Wildcats would pull off the upset of the season if they defeated the Trojans, who are second in the bowl championship series standings and positioned for an appearance in the Sugar Bowl if they win their remaining three games.

Among the interested observers next week at Arizona Stadium will be members of an Arizona search committee looking for a coach to replace John Mackovic, who was fired Sept. 28.

Mike Hankwitz is the Wildcats’ interim coach, but USC offensive coordinator Norm Chow is regarded as one of the leading candidates for the job.

USC is averaging 40.2 points a game with an offense that has become more multidimensional each week.

Chow, who was co-offensive coordinator for Brigham Young’s national championship team in 1984, said he would not approach the Arizona game as an audition. He said his goal is for USC to beat Arizona, UCLA and Oregon State.

“Winning three more football games, that’s what I’m focused on,” Chow said. “I have a national-championship ring and I know what it feels like. These kids deserve a chance to experience that.

“If we win, 13-10 [against Arizona], I’d be perfectly happy.”

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Quarterback Matt Leinart, who has passed for 2,366 yards and 24 touchdowns, intends to take a break from football this weekend.

“I’m going to sleep in and maybe turn on the TV for a little while, but I have a midterm next week, so I’ve got to study,” he said.

Leinart, who ranks ninth in the nation in passing efficiency, said the second of USC’s three byes came at a good time. The 8-1 Trojans have not lost since they were defeated by California in overtime on Sept. 27.

“The only bad thing is, we got a lot of momentum, won five games and got things going,” he said. “But we’ve got to put things in perspective and know what we really have to do now, so that’s a good thing.”

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USC will practice Sunday night, making Monday an NCAA-mandated day off from supervised workouts. Coach Pete Carroll said the Trojans would start installing the game plan for Arizona on Tuesday.