Tag: Arizona Wildcats football

Arizona Football Schedule 2021, Analysis

Arizona Wildcats 2021 football schedule, analysis, and what American Athletic Conference teams they miss.

Arizona Wildcats 2021 football schedule, analysis, and what Pac-12 teams they miss.

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Arizona Wildcats Football Schedule 2021

– 2021 Pac-12 Football Schedule

Sept. 4 BYU (in Las Vegas)

Sept. 11 San Diego State

Sept. 18 Northern Arizona

Sept. 25 at Oregon

Oct. 2 OPEN DATE

Oct. 9 UCLA

Oct. 16 at Colorado

Oct. 22 Washington

Oct. 30 at USC

Nov. 6 Cal

Nov. 13 Utah

Nov. 20 at Washington State

Nov. 27 at Arizona State

Arizona Football Schedule Analysis: There isn’t a sure-thing win on the slate other than, possibly, Northern Arizona. Going to Las Vegas to play BYU isn’t a given, and hosting San Diego State is going to be an issue.

Oregon State and Stanford aren’t on the slate from the North isn’t necessarily a plus – not playing Oregon or Washington would be better – but at least the road date against the Ducks is out of the way fast.

There aren’t two road games in a row until the end,  and that’s with the finish up the road to Arizona State after going to Washington State the week before. Going to USC isn’t fun, but the Wildcats get UCLA, Washington and Utah in Tucson.

Pac-12 Conference Teams Missed: Oregon State, Stanford

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Want encouraging COVID-19 football news? Arizona offered it

This is a real ray of hope

We hasten to say — before laying out the details of this next story — that what seems like good news for college football could be problematic for students. The contentious, confusing, and always-shifting politics of COVID-19 will create a fierce debate on virtually every topic or individual theater of drama.

We do have an obligation to note that this next story could reasonably be viewed as an irresponsible act by a Pac-12 university president. That piece of context can’t be ignored or swept under the rug. We are mindful of that.

However:

We also need to point out that as a college sports site whose school, USC, treasures college football, there is a considerable desire to see college football played this fall. We want it to happen safely. We DON’T want it to happen at any cost, because even one life is too much of a price to pay for college football. We can acknowledge that… and yet still say that if college football can happen this fall without any lives being damaged in the process, that would be a great thing.

Thursday afternoon, something happened which increased the odds that college football might be able to occur this fall:

If a state school from a Power Five conference — in Arizona, a state which has been a recent COVID-19 hotspot — is willing to have some in-person instruction for the fall semester, that is significant news.

If that same state school in an area which has been noticeably affected by COVID-19 is able to begin its fall semester on time, that also rates as a notable statement of confidence by Arizona President Robert C. Robbins, a man who is a doctor.

Robbins — from 2012 through 2017 — was also the president and CEO of the Texas Medical Center in Houston. 

If he is starting the fall semester on time with some in-person classroom instruction, that shows how intent Robbins is on wanting to play football.

We can debate how responsible the decision is, but we can’t debate that it shows a considerable willingness to play college football.

Keep in mind: This is the University of Arizona, a basketball school with a meager football history. The Wildcats are the one original Pacific-10 Conference member (the Pac-10 began in 1978) which has still not made the Rose Bowl.

If the Wildcats are this desperate to play college football, it certainly offers some reason to believe that college football will happen. It’s hardly a guarantee — schools and states need to get COVID-19 under control, which is anything but a given. Yet, it certainly moves the needle in the direction of playing.

For anyone who wants to see college football in September, that’s encouraging news.

College Football News Preview 2020: Arizona Wildcats

College Football News Preview 2020: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Arizona Wildcats season with what you need to know.

College Football News Preview 2020: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Arizona Wildcats season with what you need to know.

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

– What You Need To Know: Offense | Defense
– Top Players | Key Players, Games, Stats
– What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
– Schedule Analysis
– Arizona Previews 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015

2019 Record: 4-8 overall, 2-7 in Pac-12
Head Coach: Kevin Sumlin, 3rd year, 9-15
2019 CFN Final Opinion Ranking: 66
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 105
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 41

No one knows what’s going to happen to the 2020 college football season. We’ll take a general look at where each team stands – doing it without spring ball to go by – while crossing our fingers that we’ll all have some well-deserved fun this fall. Hoping you and yours are safe and healthy.

5. College Football News Preview 2020: Arizona Wildcats Offense 3 Things To Know

– It was a weird year for the Arizona offense. It could move the ball just fine at times – it finished third in the Pac-12 in total offense, passing, and rushing – but it seemed like it forgot to score enough points.

The wheels came off late against the elite – the O didn’t do much of anything against Oregon and Utah – and now it’s up to offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone and head coach Kevin Sumlin to crank up the attack again.

The offense that closed out 2018 scoring 40 points or more in three of its last four games didn’t hit the 40-point mark against any FBS team in 2019, but there’s hope.

CFN in 60 Video: Arizona Wildcats Preview
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– Not to be harsh, but the graduation of Khalil Tate should be addition by subtraction. He was so explosive and was so amazing when he was on that it was almost as if the offense waiting for him to be healthy and consistent before it could get going again. The two-quarterback system over the second half of the year didn’t fly, but now it should be Grant Gunnell’s job without any real concerns.

The 6-6, 225-pounder hit 65% of his passes for 1,239 yards and nine touchdowns with an interception – rocking for 352 yards in the win over UCLA – but he has to win games and get the offense moving.

He’s got the receivers in place to push the ball down the field. Jamarye Joiner is back after leading the team with 552 yards and five scores, Brian Casteel returns after leading the way with 45 catches, and in all, nine of the top ten wide receivers are expected to be back along with Oregon transfer Brenden Schooler.

– JJ Taylor and Khalil Tate combined for over 1,100 rushing yards – they were the team’s top two rushers. 6-1, 210-pound senior Gary Brightwell will be the main man after finishing third on the team with 390 yards and five scores, and 6-2, 207-pound Nathan Tilford and 176-pound Bam Smith both add a little pop. Now they all need to someone to pave the way.

The Arizona offensive line that was so banged up and such a problem under Sumlin struggled in pass protection, but it was decent for the ground game. It has two good parts to work around in C Josh McCauley and OT Donovan Laie. Four of the five starters are back.

NEXT: College Football News Preview 2020: Arizona Wildcats Defense 3 Things To Know

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5

Arizona 2020 Preview: CFN in 60

Arizona Wildcats 2020 Preview: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead with what you need to know

Photo Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona Wildcats 2020 Preview: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead with what you need to know

Photo Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

2020 NFL draft: J.J. Taylor scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Arizona running back prospect J.J. Taylor

J.J. Taylor | RB | Arizona

Elevator Pitch

Taylor is the smallest prospect in the upcoming NFL Draft. Don’t let the size fool you, he plays much bigger than his size. He might have some physical limitations but fans and teams alike will love the heart and determination of Taylor. He will need to contribute on special teams to make a roster.

Vitals

Height | 5-5

Weight | 185

Class | Senior

College Stats

College Bio

Combine Profile

Strengths

Taylor is a fun player to watch. He runs with good vision to find holes and with his smaller frame can squeeze through. Taylor can even get skinny in the smallest of creases. Plays with quick trigger, as he will plant his foot and shoot up the field. He plays with an initial burst that helps create problems for defenders at the second and third levels.

He does provide some kickoff return ability, the quickness to get going and the vision to see the lanes will allow him to have some impact on special teams. Does have good hands as a receiver, will be valuable as a dump off option or in the screen game.

Weaknesses

Quicker than fast. While having the burst to get upfield quickly will help his game, he doesn’t have that second and third gear. Taylor won’t have the runaway speed to hit the home run. Too often on longer runs, he was caught from behind.

He won’t provide much in terms of pass protection, just won’t be able to hold blocks very long due to his size. Likely will get overpowered by bigger pass rushers and blitzers. Limited catch radius that will need pinpoint accuracy from his quarterback to complete the catch process.

Projection: Day 3

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