Arizona Football has a tough task ahead of them this Saturday against the Washington Huskies.
On paper, this one looks like the ‘easiest’ of the final four games on the Cats schedule but don’t let that fool you.
The Huskies have one of the best defenses in the conference and only allow 18.9 points a game. Combine that with the usual loud and rainy Huskies Stadium and the Cats might have their hands full.
Here are five questions for the Cats match up with the Huskies.
1. Will the Cats win another game this year?
This is a more general question for the season, but I do think the Cats will win another game this year. There has been a lot of doom and gloom over the past month about our Cats. I admit, the negative thoughts have broken their way into my mind too, but consider this:
Arizona has been historically awful on defense, especially when it comes to defending the red zone, but even leaning on the crutches of injuries and no bye weeks, the Cats are a turnover away in the Wazzu game from being 3-2 and in the thick of the Pac-12 South race.
Delusions of grandeur, you say?
Probably, but college football is an enigma. Matchups and coaching strategies change every week.
Oct 24, 2015; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Johnny Jackson (30) is tackled by Washington State Cougars safety Shalom Luani (18) and linebacker Jeremiah Allison (8) during the first quarter against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
With four games left, the Cats luck will have to change at least once. Right?
2. Can Arizona force some turnovers?
In the Wildcats three losses this year, they have forced zero turnovers. In Arizona’s five wins, they have forced eight turnovers.
With Arizona’s explosive offense, the Cats should score some points, even against a tough defense like the Huskies, but if the Cats want a chance to even their conference record the defense has to find a way to get the ball back.
The Wildcats have forced seven fumbles this year but have only recovered two of them.
3. Is Randall going to start?
Jerrard Randall‘s exquisite second half against the Cougars has Tucson thinking he might get the nod from Rich Rodriguez over Anu Solomon this weekend in Seattle.
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Randall’s weakness this year has been his throwing accuracy, but against Wazzu his rocket arm was on point.
It’s only been a few weeks since Randall started in Stanford’s demolishing of the Cats, so if things go south fast against the Huskies, it’s nice to know Arizona has another quarterback who has not thrown an interception in ten months.
4. Can Arizona start the second half on the right foot?
Arizona’s slow second half starts have had Wildcats fans sweating the past two weeks.
The Wildcats need to get to a fast start in this game, and that may be the deciding factor in Randall getting the nod at quarterback.
Solomon has great numbers so far this year, but his lack of running ability makes the Cats rushing attack one dimensional.
Next: Everything You Need To Know About the Washington Game
5. Will the Rain Affect the Wildcats?
When the Cats visited Seattle two years ago, the latest storm of the decade hit the Pacific Northwest. Besides another solid game by Ka’Deem Carey, Arizona was humbled and went home 31-13 losers.
Weather could be a factor in today’s game too. Rain is expected (it is Seattle).
Hopefully, these desert rats who love practicing and playing in scorching heat can find a way to adapt to another Pac-12 showdown in wet weather.