TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- The Arizona Wildcats believe they're a contender and are daring someone to prove they aren't.

They face their stiffest test to date when they visit Stanford on Saturday. Then Arizona comes home to face California on October 18th and number 8 Southern California on October 25th.

In a weak Pac-10, Arizona has a chance to stamp itself as a legitimate contender for the conference title in the next three weeks. That's a big change from the pre-season, when the Wildcats merely hoped to draw their first bowl bid since 1998, ending the longest drought in the Pac-10.

Coach Mike Stoops says they're starting to understand they have a good football team.

The offense has come together behind senior quarterback Willie Tuitama (too-ee-TAH'-muh). He ranks 16th in national passing efficiency. Arizona averages 43.6 points per game, eighth in the country.

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