Arizona Football travels to Los Angeles this week for the USC vs. Arizona game at the famed Los Angeles Coliseum in a conference showdown for first place in the Pac-12 South.
Arizona Football is 6-2 overall and 4-1 in Pac-12 play going into week No. 10 in College Football. The team is Bowl Eligible. Khalil Tate has won the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week for four consecutive weeks, and it has NEVER been done before. Sam Darnold was touted as the No. 1 Heisman Trophy candidate before the start of the season, gracing the front page of the ESPN magazine.
Khalil Tate was missing from preseason analysis and ALL publications, except, Zona Zealots who interviewed the phenom before the season. What resulted seems like prophecy now.
Arizona Wildcats Football
Each season when USC plays Arizona, Zona Zealots reaches out to our FanSided sister site Reign of Troy for their expert opinion on the upcoming game. We asked ROT site expert Alicia de Artola five questions, and here are her answers:
ZZ: Given that Tate has had success in four straight games, and is showcasing himself in his passing game too, how does USC defend him?
ROT: I think the key will be keeping contain on the edge. USC struggled with that against Notre Dame, and Brandon Wimbush killed them. With Porter Gustin back and Uchenna Nwosu putting in a top-class performance against ASU, the Trojan coaches should be willing to put the responsibility on their shoulders. Last year, Tate did some damage on the outside against those defenders, so defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast may have to bring his safeties closer to the line of scrimmage to help out if necessary. Keeping him from going off on the ground is priority No. 1.
ZZ: Opposing teams have had a hard time in sacking Arizona’s QB, primarily because of Tate’s elusiveness, how does USC change that?
ROT: USC may not have the best defense in the Pac-12, but few team in the conference have the same level of athlete at their disposal. Obviously, the Trojans have had their bad games, look no further than Notre Dame, but they will at least have a leg up physically in many instances compared to the opposing defenses Tate has demolished. In an already aggressive defensive scheme, the raw athleticism of Uchenna Nwosu, Gustin, Cameron Smith, and company could be the great equalizer when it comes to sacking Tate. Emphasis on *could*.
ZZ: Sam Darnold came in with a lot of hype this season. How do you think he’s performed, and do you think last week against ASU was a good game for him to get on track? What does Arizona have to worry about him?
ROT: USC’s coaches insist that there’s very little different about the way Darnold has played this year compared to last, and in large part they’re right. Darnold does appear slightly less accurate, but otherwise, he’s continued to do many of the things he did so well last year. His Achilles heel has been turnovers.
Early in the season, it was turnover linked to a lack of chemistry with a new wide receiving corps. Chemistry has now been built, but the turnovers have continued, stemming from poor ball security and what appears to be a bad case of bad luck. The most important thing about Darnold’s performance against ASU was not shooting himself in the foot. He did fumble once, but it was on a fourth down attempt. For just the second time this season he didn’t throw an interception, nor did he come close.
That’s a huge step in the right direction. What Arizona needs to worry about is him reaching his peak level, with his accuracy restored, his faith in the receiving corps at a high point and his ability to extend plays using his legs always a danger.
ZZ: Darnold and Faulk are more pocket-passing QBs. Faulk struggled to score and it wasn’t until Tyler Hilinski started rushing for touchdowns that Wazzu had a chance. Would Helton ever switch out the QB?
ROT: No. Darnold has committed more turnovers this season than more than 100 teams in FBS and the possibility of Matt Fink coming in for a non-injury or garbage time snap has never been on
the table.
ZZ: What key Trojans do you think will remain on the injured list and which players you think will be returning this week?
ROT: Outside linebacker Porter Gustin and nose tackle Josh Fatu returned against ASU and should be good to go against Arizona. Running back Stephen Carr is also on the cusp of a return, which would be a major boost for the running game with back up Vavae Malepeai potentially out with a knee injury. Cornerback Iman Marshall is technically listed as day-to-day, but with an MCL sprain, it seems unlikely he will return this week.
Isaiah Langley will go in his place. Defensive end and USC sack leader Christian Rector will definitely be out after surgery on his broken hand.
Here is Rich Rod speaking about USC players:
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Zona Zealots would like to thank Alicia for her time and insight. May the best team win this weekend, and may the result not be determined by bad calls by the Pac-12 referees. Let us all say Amen! GO CATS! BEAT USC!