UTSA-Arizona Football Full Preview-Zona Zealots

Sep 14, 2013; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats running back KaDeem Carey (25) runs the ball during the second quarter against the Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

Game Analysis

One of the most talked about teams in the country, after week one games, is the UTSA Roadrunners, and for good reason. They are only in their fourth season of football and pulled off a very nice win on the road at Houston. The defense return 10 starters, and they will need those 10 returners, and anyone else who gets defensive snaps, to play one of the best games of their careers to stop this offense the Wildcats are bringing into San Antonio.

Roadrunner safeties Triston Wade and Nic Johnston are two of the best secondary players that you have never heard of. The two have combined for 29 turnovers in 68 career games. The defense is fast, the defensive line is strong, and their linebackers fly all over the field. However, the Arizona offense is coming off the best offensive performance in school history and will be a big test for UTSA. The secondary may be talented, but having to cover all of those talented receivers all game, and the defense as a whole having to deal with the Wildcat two headed monster-a little premature I know- of Terris Jones-Grigsby and Nick Wilson will be a tough task. Not to mention QB Anu Solomon will be starting his second career game, first road game, and should be a little more calm and settled in for this one. The Arizona offense may be too much to handle for the Roadrunners Thursday night.

The Wildcat defense, or lack of Roadrunner offense, may be the big difference maker in this game. UTSA only gained 263 yards in week one, but this offense is very opportunistic. The defense creates turnovers and the offense capitalizes on having short fields. There is not a ton of offensive talent at the skill positions and it should be a big game for Scooby Wright and the gang. Jarvis McCall got eaten alive opening week and this is a good opportunity for him to redeem himself and have a strong game. The Wildcat defense needs to sure up before getting into conference play and this is the perfect opponent to do so against.

Game Prediction

UTSA seems to be everyone’s favorite team all the sudden and a lot of people are picking them to upset Arizona. That just is not going to happen this year. The Wildcats have way too much offensive firepower for this defense to contain all game, even though they are very talented, and the Roadrunner offense just does not have enough firepower to keep up.

Expect another big game from Anu and the rest of the offense and look for a bounce back game from this secondary. It is going to closer than I thought heading into the season, but the Wildcats still win by double-digits and move to 2-0 on the season.

Final Score Prediction

Arizona 31

UTSA 17

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