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Willie Tuitama's history lesson came over dinner.

The Arizona Wildcats were preparing for last year's game against Arizona State when coach Mike Stoops invited former players to talk about the importance of the in-state rivalry.

Over dinner at the Wildcat Club, former UA standouts Donnie Salum, Julius Holt and Brandon Sanders told stories of "The Streak," Arizona's nine-year run of success against the Sun Devils, and recalled countless tales of hatred, revenge — and football.

Tuitama listened — and learned.

"Just hearing the guys tell their stories, pour their hearts out and telling us what is was like …" Tuitama said. "That's when it got really real."

The UA's senior quarterback has one last chance to add to the lore. Arizona and Arizona State meet tonight for the 82nd time with more than just the Territorial Cup and year-long bragging rights on the line.

The winner of tonight's game receives an invitation to the Dec. 20 Las Vegas Bowl. The bid is contingent on USC beating UCLA in their rivalry game this afternoon; the Trojans are 33-point favorites.

Arizona's players know what else is at stake: a winning season, the program's best record since 1998, and — perhaps most importantly — a chance to snap a three-game losing streak to ASU and keep the Sun Devils out of the postseason.

"It's time for that run to end," Tuitama said.

Arizona (6-5 overall, 4-4 Pac-10) has suffered enough heartbreak in recent years to consider the rivalry with ASU a blood feud:

● The UA blew a 20-5 second-half lead in 2005 before losing on a last-second field goal. Tuitama and five other UA regulars were knocked from the game with various injuries.

● Arizona State won 28-14 in 2006, keeping the Wildcats from their first bowl game since 1998. The Sun Devils knocked Tuitama from the game with a head injury; Arizona finished the game with backup Adam Austin under center.

● The Wildcats entered last year's game with a chance to qualify for a bowl and finish the regular season with a four-game winning streak. Arizona State won 20-17, capturing a share of the Pac-10 Conference title and earning a spot in the Holiday Bowl.

Instead of acknowledging Arizona immediately after the game, the Sun Devils celebrated at midfield.

"It struck a nerve with me," defensive tackle Donald Horton said. "It's not good sportsmanship."

Sportsmanship, of course, is rarely associated with the in-state rivalry. Fired-up fans and chippy players make the annual Arizona-Arizona State game one of the West's most heated showdowns.

Today's game is a sellout, with more than 3,000 ASU fans expected to travel from the Phoenix area to Arizona Stadium. As usual, the game will feature increased security measures and headache-inducing noise.

"I'm not speaking for the University of Arizona, but for us, it's the biggest game every year, and it has been forever," said ASU coach Dennis Erickson, who will make his Arizona Stadium debut in maroon and gold. "I assume it is the same at the University of Arizona. So whoever wins that game has bragging rights for a year."

UA coach Mike Stoops has learned to embrace the game since coming to Tucson five years ago. He defeated Arizona State in 2004, his first "Duel in the Desert," but has yet to win another one.

"The longer you're here, the rivalry grows and grows and becomes stronger and stronger," Stoops said. "There's been a lot on the line the last two years. We've lost opportunities to play in the postseason the last two years, and now the shoe's on the other foot. That's good.

"That intensifies things."

For the first time in years, Arizona won't be playing the underdog role.

The Wildcats are 10 1/2-point favorites, even though the UA has lost three of four games and the Sun Devils are riding a three-game winning streak.

Tuitama, wide receiver Mike Thomas and tight end Rob Gronkowski give Arizona its most capable offense this decade.

Arizona State has a capable counterpunch: one of the Pac-10 Conference's hottest defenses. The Sun Devils scored 28 points off UCLA turnovers a week ago, and come to Tucson boasting unprecedented confidence. The defense has scored a touchdown in each of the past four games.

Offensively, ASU quarterback Rudy Carpenter will try to extend his mastery of the UA. Carpenter's three straight rivalry-game victories has earned him a reputation as a Wildcat killer.

Not that point spreads, statistics or streaks matter.

As Tuitama learned last year, victories are all that count.

"ASU is like a season in itself," defensive end Ricky Elmore said "That's the one game we look to win every year."