With week one in the past, the Arizona Football team now looks to a familiar face in Nevada.
The previous two meetings were very close as both offenses were able to move at will. Arizona will be looking to shed off the errors made against UTSA while Nevada is looking for the upset.
Dec. 15, 2012; Albuquerque, NM, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Rich Rodriguez hoists the trophy following the game against the Nevada Wolf Pack in the 2012 New Mexico Bowl at University Stadium. Arizona defeated Nevada 49-48. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Okay, week one is passed us. We’ve all had the chance to catch our breath, leave alone whatever hair we have left, and understand that it was only week one.
UTSA gave Arizona a scare during most of the game last week while marching up the field over and over.
Give credit to them because they came out and hit the Wildcats right in the mouth. It was up to Arizona to respond, but the tough gritty-ness we expected was nowhere to be seen at times. It didn’t help things that the leader of the defense, Scooby Wright, was taken out of the game early with a knee injury. On top of the Scooby injury, it seemed as if every other snap an Arizona player was falling to an injury and relegated to the sidelines.
But that was last week. It is a new week, new game to play, but it’s with a familiar opponent. Nevada is looking for revenge from the previous two, very close games. Arizona is winning the current series, up 2-0, while the point difference total is a whopping 8 points. The 2012 bowl game was an instant ESPN classic. Last year’s game in Tucson saw both teams pick up right where they left off in 2012. So what should we expect this Saturday? Possibly the same thing.
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Arizona needs to control the line of scrimmage from the beginning of the game. The biggest failure of week one, in my opinion, was the lack of a running game in the first half. Coach Rodriguez’s offense depends on the run, contrary to popular belief. If the team can’t set up the run, it throws off the momentum for the entire game and the offense becomes predictable. It was very clear on TV, several times when the camera panned to Coach Rodriguez, he was clearly upset.
The offense should have the same success as last year and more. The Wolf Pack defense will be stout up front on the defensive line, which is to be expected for a unit allowing only 46 yards rushing. Nevada’s rush defense is strong, this is why last week’s performance is concerning to me, and I did consider that it was only week one of a long season.
Arizona should be able to have the same success on the ground as last year when Nick Wilson torched the Wolf Pack defense for 171 yards and two touchdowns. Through the air, Anu Solomon should have a big day. With one of the best receiving corps in the nation each week, it’ll be hard to find a team who can matchup with the likes of Cayleb Jones who put up big numbers last year.
Dec 31, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats quarterback Anu Solomon (12) against the Boise State Broncos in the 2014 Fiesta Bowl at Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Even with last week’s disappointing running game, the offense shouldn’t have any problems moving the ball up and down the field against Nevada. The question will be whether or not the defense, minus their leader Scooby Wright, can put a stop to the Wolf Pack’s offense.
The defense will need to step up their game after a very poor showing against UTSA. This week doesn’t get any easier for them going to Nevada. This is a team that put up 321 yards passing through the air in their last match-up with Arizona. Cody Fajardo shredded the Wildcats secondary.
As far as the Wolf Pack’s offensive line, they gave Fajardo all day to throw. Arizona racked up zero interceptions, their defensive line bullied for most of the game. One would hope there would be a drop-off this year, taking into consideration how great Fajardo was in the last game. But Fajardo is not the Nevada QB this year, the Wolf Pack’s new QB Tyler Stewart has a ridiculous QBR of 97.8 according to ESPN.
Last year, Arizona only had to worry about shutting down Fajardo’s arm. The Wolf Pack’s running game was almost non-existent as they only racked up just over 100 yards rushing. That will not be the case this year. Nevada has a stud running back in Don Jackson who gashed UC-Davis for 124 yards rushing on only 13 carries. Yes, it’s UC-Davis, and Nevada should be able to put up big numbers against a team like UC-Davis. The Wildcats could have been in the same situation if they had handled UTSA.
Nov 1, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats cornerback Cam Denson (3) before the game against the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
The big question is which Wildcat defense will show up? The one who shut down Oregon and Marcus Mariota (in their first meeting) in Eugene or the defense we saw against UTSA?
Arizona is favored by 11.5 against the Nevada Wolf Pack. ESPNU’s Phil Steele on the CFB Daily show predicts Arizona will not cover the spread. He thinks Arizona will win, and the score will be 35-30 Arizona. Part of the reason USTA put up 526 yards on Arizona and outgained Arizona by 150 yards in the game.
The Wildcats have the talent, depth and experience they have previously lacked on the defensive side of the ball. They’ve had a week to forget and learn from their performance in week 1. Anu should have no trouble leading the offense and putting up big numbers.
Look for this game to be another close one, similar to what was played last year. Saturday’s game has the potential to be an old fashion shootout. But it also has the potential to see Arizona’s defense shut down the Wolf Pack. Either way, Arizona should come out victorious, and this will be a fun game!
My prediction: 38-27 Arizona
Game information –
When: Saturday, September 12, 4:00 PM
Where: Clarence Mackay Stadium, Reno, Nevada
How to Watch: CBS Sports Network ▪ TuneIn ▪ Live Event ▪ Arizona IMG Sports Network