Los Angeles • Khalil Tate made his first career start for Arizona last season against Southern California, and the 17-year-old quarterback struggled in the Wildcats' blowout loss.
Tate will be in the spotlight when the surprising 23rd-ranked Wildcats (6-2, 4-1 Pac-12) enter the Coliseum on Saturday night for a showdown with No. 17 USC (7-2, 5-1). The winner takes control of the Pac-12 South race and gains the inside track on a spot in the conference championship game next month.
Most observers expected the Trojans to be in this position. The Wildcats have joined them largely thanks to Tate, who had a spectacular October, leading Arizona on a four-game winning streak.