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Two days after the Nov. 22 loss to Oregon State, a member of the Arizona Wildcats' support staff installed a giant digital clock in the locker room, set it to 12 days and hit "start."

Since then, the clock has counted down the days, hours and minutes remaining until Saturday's game against Arizona State.

"It's just to show everybody it's a big game for us," running back Xavier Smith said.

The UA (6-5 overall, 4-4 Pac-10) must win Saturday's "Duel in the Desert" to earn a spot in a better bowl game, whether it's played in Las Vegas or San Francisco. A victory would end a two-game losing streak and give the Wildcats seven wins, their most since the 1998 season. It would silence many of the critics that cite Arizona's weak nonconference schedule as a reason for its success.

And it would mark progress — especially given the way Arizona has struggled against its in-state rival lately.

The Wildcats have lost three games in a row to the Sun Devils, including two games — a 28-14 loss in 2006 and last year's 20-17 defeat in Tempe — that would have put them in the postseason with a victory.

The Wildcats can't afford another late-season loss.

"The difference between 6-6 and 7-5 is everything," linebacker Ronnie Palmer said. "It's just one win, but it would really mean a lot for this team."

Tackle Eben Britton said a victory would be "huge" for a program desperate for confidence.

"I don't want to go 6-6," he said. "Whatever … even if we're guaranteed a bowl this year, I want to be above .500."

Arizona can do more than just improve its own situation with a win Saturday; it can keep the Sun Devils from a bowl game.

ASU (5-6, 4-4) has won three consecutive games, including a 34-9 win over UCLA on Friday, to keep its slim bowl hopes alive.

Both teams will be motivated to improve their seasons and ruin their rival's year.

"I think our kids know the significance of this game," UA coach Mike Stoops said.

"They understand this'll be a big game in terms of our season."