Pac-12 parity leaves UCLA, Arizona no room for error

UCLA and Arizona, which in some ways are mirror images, both have designs on representing the Pac-12 Conference South Division in the conference championship game. Staff writer Chris Foster examines the game’s story lines and matchups:

The set-up

The Pac-12 South standings are a scramble. Arizona, Arizona State and Utah have a step on the rest of the field because they control their own destiny. If any of those three teams win out, it takes the division title.

Utah plays Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon and Stanford — a very tough road. Arizona plays UCLA, Utah and Arizona State — also a tough road. Arizona State plays Arizona, but may have the easiest route with Oregon State and Washington State as the only other Pac-12 teams left on its schedule.

“There is so much parity in the conference, especially in the Pac 12 South, that everyone beats up on everyone else,” Arizona Coach Rich Rodriguez said. “It makes for a wild race.”

Going over the tiebreakers at this point would prompt a headache, but know this: Arizona’s victory over No. 5 Oregon earlier this season could loom large should more than two teams finish tied.

Quarterback spotlight

Everyone knew about UCLA’s Brett Hundley before the season began. While he has occasionally been off his game, he is the reason behind the Bruins’ success. Hundley has passed for 2,056 yards and 14 touchdowns and has 415 yards rushing with five touchdowns.

Arizona’s Anu Solomon is a different story. He wasn’t mentioned among the Pac-12 elite before the season. However, the redshirt freshman has passed for 2,430 yards and 20 touchdowns, with 189 yards rushing.

“Rich Rod has always designed his offense around a quarterback that can put a defense in conflict, and this guy can do that,” UCLA Coach Jim Mora said.

Linebacker spotlight

UCLA’s Eric Kendricks and Arizona’s Scooby Wright III are the top two tacklers in the Pac-12.

Kendricks, a senior, has 93 tackles. “I’m anxious for him to get out of here and start playing on Sundays,” Rodriguez said.

Wright, a sophomore, has 78. “He is a lot more physical than he gets credit for,” Rodriguez said. “He has great instincts and understands football.”

UCLA had tackling issues against Colorado last week. A repeat performance is not likely to hold up against the Wildcats’ spread offense.

This game “is about making tackles,” Mora said. “It’s also understanding that they are probably going to make a play, but you have to put a Band-Aid on it quick, limit the damage.”

Home invasion

Arizona, Arizona State, Utah and UCLA are all undefeated on the road during conference play.

The Bruins have lost their last two home games, to Utah and Oregon. They have not lost three consecutive home games since the last two games of the 1989 season and the opener in 1990.

Recent history

UCLA has won its last two games against Arizona. The last time the Wildcats came to the Rose Bowl, the Bruins walloped them, 66-10.

“We beat them the last two years, so I’m sure that’s on their minds,” Mora said. “We see that they’re ranked No. 12, and that’s well deserved, so that’s on our minds.”

This is the third time that Rodriguez and UCLA offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone — both proponents of the spread offense — have squared off. Mazzone has won all three, with his teams outscoring Rodriguez’s teams, 138-60.

Cool runnings

Arizona alternates two running backs, Nick Wilson and Terris Jones-Grigsby. They have combined for 998 yards — Wilson has 592 and Jones-Grigsby 406.

UCLA’s Paul Perkins has nearly matched that as a solo act. He has 996 yards rushing, second in the Pac-12 behind USC’s Javorius Allen, who has 1,010.

chris.foster@latimes.com