Now in week nine of the 2017 season, the Arizona Football team (5-2, 3-1) will have a tough challenge versus No. 15 Washington State (7-1, 4-1) for homecoming.
The Wildcats are on a roll, but once again, the Arizona Football team will have an even tougher challenge this week, with the visiting Washington State Cougars.
A bit of magic has been on Arizona’s side as of recent, since sophomore phenom quarterback Khalil Tate has stepped in. Winners of three-straight, the Wildcats will hope to continue their solid play against the ranked Cougars.
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Last year was absolutely brutal. As you may recall, Wazzu took the Cats to the woodshed, shellacking Arizona by a 69-7 final in Pullman, WA. That loss didn’t sit well with head coach Rich Rodriguez. Rodriguez had told Michael Lev of the Daily Star, that just thinking about that game, “It makes me want to throw up,” Rodriguez said. “You can imagine, I’ve wanted to throw up all week.”
However, with WSU coming to town for homecoming, we will see what the outcome will be this year. We do know that the Wildcats will be ready this time around!
That is easier said than done! The Cougars are a good football team! Head coach Mike Leach took over the program in 2012, coincidentally around the same time UCLA hired Jim L. Mora, ASU hired Todd Graham, and Arizona hired Rodriguez. Fast forward to 2017, and the Cougars have a program steadily improving.
It’s not easy recruiting to Pullman, but the man often dubbed ‘the Pirate‘ has the program on the rise, and once again he controls a talented squad led by senior quarterback Luke Falk.
So far in 2017, this year has been no different for Leach. The Cougars are dangerous offensively, they pass a lot, and they score a lot too! Disregard their loss to Cal just a few weeks ago, as that loss was more indicative of the Cougars self-imploding, than the Golden Bears actually being that far superior.
Know Thy Foe:
Team: Washington State Cougars (7-1, 4-1); won last week 28-0 versus the Colorado Buffaloes
Conference: Pac-12
2016 Record: 8-5 (7-2); Lost to Minnesota 17-12 in the Holiday Bowl last season.
Last Meeting vs Arizona: WSU won 69-7 in Pullman, WA in 2016.
Head Coach: Mike Leach is 120-78 overall as head coach, and is 36-35 at Washington State, now in his sixth season with the Cougars.
Key Returners/ Starters: QB Luke Falk, RB’s Jamal Morrow and James Williams, WR’s Tavares Martin, Jr., Isaiah Johnson-Mack, Renard Bell and Kyle Sweet. These guys account for a large portion of WSU’s offensive production. The Cougars also have an experienced line, and they do a great job in providing protection for Falk.
Defensively, the Cougars have quite a few playmakers as well, including; DB’s Jalen Thompson and Robert Taylor and LB Jahad Woods. Additionally, WSU has also put together a stout run defense, which can be attributed in part to the play of Hercules Mata’afa and Frankie Luvu. Between the two of them, they create a lot of pressure in opposing backfields, both having 12 sacks combined!
Key Injuries: LB Nate DeRider, could miss Saturday’s action vs Arizona.
Game Information:
When: Saturday, October 28th, 2017
Time: 6:30 PM MST
Where: Arizona Stadium (Tucson, AZ)
Spread: -2.5 Washington State
Overall Series Record: 26-16 Arizona. The Cougars have won the last two match-ups between these two schools, and of course we are unfortunately aware of the 69-7 drubbing they handed us last year!
Our Prediction: WSU 47 Arizona 42. This is going to be a tough one for Arizona. WSU is very good this year, and their powerful offense speaks for itself! The Wildcats have a young defense that will be tested against a good quarterback, and experienced receivers.
We see Arizona keeping up the pace with the Cougars, but ultimately come up short in this one. They have too many weapons offensively, and they do just enough to edge us.
Listen to the team as they talk about beating Cal, and break down the homecoming match-up versus Washington State:
Must Read: More on Arizona Football
At Zona Zealots, we can’t wait for another exciting match-up, and hope the Wildcats can surprise the Cougars! Bear Down, Arizona!