The Sports Brewery

Previewing The Pac In 10 Days – #4 Arizona Wildcats

Posted on 31. Aug, 2010 at 12:23 pm by bbryan in Football, NCAA Football, PAC-10 Football

Over the last 10 work days leading up to the start of the season we will be previewing the Pac-10 in reverse predicted order of finish. Previous reviews can be found here: 10 9 8 7 6 5

Last Year: 6-3 T2

The Good - Yet another sophomore returns as a starting quarterback in the Pac-10.  Nick Foles will lead Arizona’s potent offensive attack.  Returning with him are a pair of good running backs in Nic Grigsby and Keola Antolin. Foles favorite target, Juran Carton will be back as well.  But the best thing to like about this offense is the offensive line, which is anchored by two returning All Pac-10 selections.  Center Colin Baxter and tackle Adam Grant. Arizona also returns two very good defensive ends in Ricky Elmore and Brooks Reed.  Elmore, who had 10.5 sacks last year will lead a formable pass rush that should put a lot of pressure on opposing quarterbacks. 

The Bad – While Carton does return as the top wide-out, the rest of the wide-outs are unproven.  Someone else will have to emerge as a reliable target for this offense to compete at a top level.  The defense will be starting all new linebackers this year and will need to find an adequate replacement for stud cornerback Devin Ross.  Head Coach Mike Stoops has yet to show he’s a big game coach.  Last year he lost his two biggest games, the heartbreaking comeback by Oregon and a thrashing by Nebraska in the Holiday Bowl.  In 2008, after getting off to a nice 4-2 start he dumped back-to-back games against the Oregon schools.  Against Oregon they came into Autzen at 4-2 and proceeded to fall behind 45-17 at the half, obviously they weren’t ready to play.  The next week was even worse as they lost to Oregon State at home when Oregon State was without starting quarterback Lyle Moevao and Pac-10 player of the year Jaquizz Rodgers (who left the game on OSU’s second possession.)  Arizona let OSU march 76 yards in four plays to kick a game winning field goal as time expired. 

The Skinny – Arizona, Washington and Stanford are all the same caliber to me.  I rank Arizona slightly higher than the other 2 due to their better defense.  However, it would not surprise me to see Arizona tumble down to the 6-8 range as I don’t think Mike Stoops is a good in game coach.  The schedule shakes out nice for them as they get OSU at home early in the year, Washington at home, USC at home and they have a bye week before going to Oregon for what should be a revenge game after last year’s heartbreaking loss.  Oh and to you Arizona students at the game last year, TAS (Take A Seat!)

Prediction: 6-3

Tags: arizona wildcats football, Oregon Ducks, oregon ducks football opponent, Pac-10 football preview