Dec 31, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Rich Rodriguez and the team wait to enter the field to start the game against the Boise State Broncos in the 2014 Fiesta Bowl at Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
The 4th of July has come and gone, now it is time to turn our attention towards the start of the 2015 fall semester.
Which means Arizona Wildcat football is right around the corner. We are less than two months away from the season, but for the 2014 Pac-12 South Champs some questions still linger.
Here are the top 5 questions for our beloved Wildcats coming into the 2015 season.
Next: 5. Will Nick Wilson have another breakout season?
Nov 28, 2014; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats running back Nick Wilson (28) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the 88th annual territorial cup at Arizona Stadium. The Wildcats defeated the Sun Devils 42-35 to win the Pac-12 south title. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
5. Will Nick Wilson have another breakout season?
Nick Wilson played in 13 games for the Wildcats and 8 games starting at running back, according to arizonawildcats.com. His first start came in the second game this past season as Terris Jones-Grisby went down with an injury and he did not disappoint. Against UTSA, Wilson carried the ball 30 times and rushed for 174 yards and one touchdown, as ESPN’s Chantel Jennings reports.
After that game he became Rich Rods running back workhorse throughout the season. Wilson totaled 1,375 rushing yards on 236 carries with 16 touchdowns, which was the Pac-12’s fourth leading rusher. Averaging 5.8 yards per carry and 105.8 yards per game en route to setting Arizona’s freshman rushing record. Ranked fourth nationally among FBS freshman and No. 1 among league freshmen in total yards, according to ArizonaWildcats.com.
Wilson was sidelined due to injury, but is mentally and physically ready coming into the spring. He has not gotten much attention even with those numbers as those other players in the Pac-12. A sophomore slump is not on this young man’s mind as he has grown exponentially.
ESPN’s Chantel Jennings reported on Wilson’s pre-season comments: “I definitely feel older,” Wilson said. “I’m just more experienced and I know a lot more. That’s kind of weird to say even though I’m just about to be a sophomore.”
Maybe he will just become another Ka’Deem Carey. Who knows?
Next: 4. Is Anu Solomon going to be up for the Heisman?
Dec 31, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats quarterback Anu Solomon (12) scrambles in the second quarter against the Boise State Broncos in the 2014 Fiesta Bowl at Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
4. Is Anu Solomon going to be up for the Heisman?
After a 21-0 third quarter comeback in the Fiesta Bowl against Boise State, Anu Solomon fell short leading our Wildcats to a 38-30 loss. As well as falling short in a rematch against Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship game. We look towards the 2015 season, spitting that bitter taste of defeat, in hopes of returning to another BCS Bowl Game.
In Solomon’s red shirt freshmen season he started all 14 games and became the first Arizona quarterback to start a season opener, according to arizonawildcats.com.
Dec 31, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats quarterback Anu Solomon (12) throws during the second half against the Boise State Broncos in the 2014 Fiesta Bowl at Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Leading our Wildcats to a 10-4 season, the second 10 win regular season in university history. Solomon Totaled 3,793 passing yards with 313 completions on 540 attempts. Throwing 28 passing TDs while averaging 270.9 yards per game. Became a duel threat QB for Rich Rod, rushing for 291 yards and two scores. Solomon even set career game highs of 105 rushing yards and leading all FBS freshmen quarterbacks in passing yards, ArizonaWildcats.com.
Even during our annual spring game Rich Rod said, “He was pretty sharp. There were a couple of times he probably could’ve been a little more decisive in his throws but Anu is a smart guy. He’s gotten better and, with a great summer, I think he will be even better come this fall.”
This season he could be nominated among the elite quarterback in the nation. It will be a challenge with USC Cody Kessler as the favorite among Heisman hopefuls. I believe that if he launches Arizona to another BCS Bowl berth, improves his throwing capacity along with rushing he will be invited to New York in December for the Heisman ceremony. It could be a long shot but there is hope.
Dec 31, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; A giant American flag is displayed on the field during the national anthem to start the game between the Arizona Wildcats and the Boise State Broncos in the 2014 Fiesta Bowl at Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
3. Does Arizona have enough for another 10+ win regular season?
Last season was the second time in Arizona history that our football team had 10 regular season wins. Arizona will be fully loaded after none of the Arizona players had their names called in the 2015 NFL draft. Star wide receiver Austin Hill signed with the Seattle Seahawks only an hour after the draft, according to azcentral.com. Hill was dropped by the Seahawks after he failed a physical, then he was picked up by the Oakland Raiders, only to be dropped a little while later.
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This upcoming season should be no different with the first game being a season opener rematch against UTSA. Trouble might creep in our Pac-12 opener against UCLA at home. Our Wildcats were able to defeat the Bruins in Pasadena but they always seem to push our bottoms. Instead of playing Oregon this year during the regular season we have the pleasure of facing off against Oregon State and Stanford.
According to an SI’s report they have our Arizona Wildcats ranked No. 13 just one spot above Pac-12 South rival USC. The Pac-12 has quickly become one of the best division in College Football. It will be tough getting to another 10+ regular win season but with Scooby Wright III leading our defense and Anu Solomon behind center we should no problem launching ourselves into another BCS bowl berth conversion. Maybe even the College football playoffs.
Nov 28, 2014; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats offensive lineman Mickey Baucus (68) hoists the territorial cup in celebration after beating the Arizona State Sun Devils 42-35 at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
2. Can Arizona win the Pac-12 South for a second consecutive year?
That win last year against Arizona State during Thanksgiving weekend was something that I will never forget. The student section rocked and roared with utter excited at our chance to snatch the Pac-12 South crown from our cross-town rivals. But next season will be different as other Pac-12 teams are pumped up and ready for this upcoming season.
Our first test this season will begin against preseason ranked No. 8 UCLA in our Pac-12 opener at home. In hopes of repeating as Pac-12 South champs team depth will need to stay healthy. Arizona will be playing through 12 straight games this season and everyone will have to stay healthy including our Heisman hopeful, Anu Solomon, leading our offensive attack. Also to have our young core of running backs involved to balance our offense.
Last season there were times our offense was stuck and sent the defense out to the field with little or not time to recover from the previous series. On the defensive side of the ball, defensive linemen Jeff Worthy, Parker Zellers, and Reggie Gilbert will have to step up and make plays. Scooby Wright III and our other strong core of linebackers can not be the only players tackling and making stops.
This will be our toughest season yet as everyone including Oregon has a target on our backs. I believe we will meet Oregon once in the Pac-12 Championship game and this time our Wildcats will seal the deal. But it will be sweet just to defeat ASU once again.
Dec 31, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Rich Rodriguez reacts in the second quarter against the Boise State Broncos in the 2014 Fiesta Bowl at Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
1. Is Rich Rodriquez here to stay?
With all heard the rumors of Rich Rod packing shop and heading out of Tucson there seems to be no possibility of that happening anytime soon. On the first day of 2015 recruits to sign a National Letter of Intent, Arizona brought in 25 new athletes.
“Of the new Wildcats, there are 10 offensive players, 12 defensive players, three athletes and nine that enrolled this semester,” according to an Arizona Daily Wildcat Report.
In hopes of improving both our offensive and defense and get faster on both sides of ball. I see no reason why he would pack up and leave for a bigger program since he has all the tools in place here at Arizona. ESPN ranked the Arizona 2015 class 39th, 41st by Scout and Rivals and 42nd by 247 Sports. With this depth Rodriquez expects a lot of guys to be ready to play.
“To play 12 straight with no open date at this level? You better have a lot of guys that are ready to play.” Rodriquez said, according to an Arizona Daily Wildcat Report.
In his third season Rich Rod made history posting the second 10+ plus win regular season in school history. It would be a shame with the talent he has brought into town along with the coaching staff to see him leave on such a short notice. He went up to Eugene and took out the No. 2 team in the nation as well as defeated our crosstown rivals in ASU to win the Pac-12 South crown. Yes, he did fall short in the Pac-12 championship game and BCS Fiesta Bowl. The talent is here to stay and so is Rich Rodriquez.
Next: What's next for the seasons Arizona Wildcat Basketball team?