Fresh off their bye week, Arizona Football returns to action!

We’re in the final weeks of the season, as Arizona Football (5-5, 4-3) prepares for a huge conference match-up against No. 8 Washington State (9-1, 6-1).

Things are looking much brighter in Tucson these days! Fresh off their bye week, Arizona Football returns to Pac-12 action, with a huge challenge ahead of them!

I will say, the growth of this team over the past few weeks has been nothing short of impressive.  After starting the year 1-2, the Wildcats have responded in a big way, now being within a win of becoming bowl eligible!

Arizona Wildcats

In his first season with the Wildcats, I will say I was on the ‘proverbial edge’ of the Kevin Sumlin’s first season was a bust campaign. Fast forward a few weeks, and I along with numerous other Wildcat fans have been singing a different tune.

Winners of two-straight games, including an upset of then No. 19 ranked Oregon, Arizona’s play has been trending upwards.

This past week, the Wildcats were able to use a perfectly-timed bye week to get crucial guys healthy, and scheme for a tough upcoming match-up against the Washington State Cougars.

Perhaps their toughest challenge yet, the game in Pullman, WA will be a big one.

The Cougars have been playing very well this season, and their ranking shows it. Luckily for Arizona, this is probably the healthiest they have been and will be all season and had an extra week to prepare.

Arizona’s offense has been getting better each week, and that shouldn’t come as much of a surprise with Khalil Tate becoming healthier. Also, the offense has been using a healthy dose of running back, J.J. Taylor as well, who is currently fourth in the NCAA in total rushing yards with 1,221.

The challenge will be on this week if Arizona hopes to come away victorious.

Know Thy Foe:

Team: Washington State Cougars (9-1, 7-1); beat Colorado last week in Boulder, defeating the Buffaloes by a 31-7 final.

Conference: Pac-12 Conference

2017 Record: 9-4 (6-3); lost to Michigan State 42-17 in the Holiday Bowl to end the season.

Head Coach: Mike Leach is 131-82 (79-62) as a head coach, and is 47-39 (32-29) while at Wazzu. The eccentric and well-liked Leach started his head coaching career at Texas Tech in 2000, putting together some high-powered offenses with the Red Raiders.

Since then, Leach has come to Pullman, antics and all, still showing his coaching prowess, taking a dormant Pac-12 program, and make it a consistent and exciting winner. In 2018, much hasn’t changed as the Cougars are an explosive and talented football team in the midst of a tremendous season.

Key Returners/ Starters: 

The Cougars are led heavily by quarterback, Gardner Minshew. The senior transfer came from Eastern Carolina and has been a big part of the Cougars’ success this season. Minshew already has nearly 4,000 yards passing on the year, with 29 touchdowns to just seven interceptions.

Wazzu isn’t much of a running team, but they have very capable backs in James Williams and Max Borghi, both combining for over 700 yards rushing and 15 rushing touchdowns.

Receiving is where Washington State is going to give Arizona fits. The Cougars are primarily led in their receiving corp by Davontavean Martin, Dezmon Patmon and Easop Winston. Together, the trio has amassed nearly 1,800 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Beyond that, they get plenty of contributions every where, distributing the ball to numerous different targets. Renard Bell is another one to keep an eye on, as the sophomore receiver has four touchdowns on 16 receptions.

Defensively, the Cougars have been incredibly stout as well, putting together the 20th ranked defense in the NCAA. This group is primarily led by Peyton Pelluer and Jahad Woods. Their secondary stays busy, making it difficult for opposing quarterbacks, with Jalen Thompson and Darrien Molton being big reasons why.

Lastly, they create a great pass rush, using a combination of Logan Tago, Willie Taylor, Dominick Silvels, Will Rodgers and Taylor Comfort, wreaking havoc in opposing backfields. This season, this group has combined for 15.5 of the Cougars’ 30 sacks on the year, which ranks 15th in the NCAA.

Overall, they just have talent everywhere, are well coached and play well under Leach’s system.

Key Injuries/ Missing Players: 

Arizona: (According to SportsReference)

OL- Nathan Eldridge is out for season.
DL- Justin Belknap (foot) is done for the year.
OL- Alex Kosinski is still out and will unlikely play this season.
CB- Jace Whittaker (hamstring) has been sidelined and it’s unknown when he’ll return.
OL- Bryson Cain (unknown) sat out versus Colorado and his status is unclear versus WSU.
RB- Gary Brightwell (ankle) missed the game versus Colorado and is questionable against WSU.
RB- Darrius Smith (foot) has missed a few games and is questionable against WSU.

Washington State:

LB- Derek Moore (Upper Body) has missed the last three games and his status is unknown.
DB- Sean Harper (Lower Body) has missed the last three games and is questionable vs Arizona.

Game Information: 

When: Saturday, November 17th, 2018

Time: 8:30 PM MST/ 7:30 PM PST – ESPN

Where: Martin Stadium (Pullman, WA)

Spread: -10.5 Washington State

Overall Series Record: 27-16 Arizona

Last Meeting vs. Arizona: Arizona won the last match-up by a 58-37 final in Tucson, where the Wildcats defeated then No. 15 ranked Washington State. Taylor and Tate combined for 299 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, pacing them to the big win.

Worth noting, Arizona has won seven of the last ten match-ups, however, last time the Cats were in Pullman, they lost big, losing 69-7 to the Cougars.

Our Prediction: Washington 47 Arizona 35. I would love for the Cats to do the unthinkable and beat a Top 10 football team on the road, but that’s no easy feat. The Cougars are playing well, and completely dispatched the Buffaloes in Boulder this last week.

They are unbeaten at home and are on a crash course for a potential Pac-12 North championship if they beat Arizona and Washington at home in subsequent weeks. Washington State’s destiny is in their hands, and I find it hard to see them at least losing to Arizona at home.

I think the Wildcats will fight and compete like they’ve done all season with the exception of the Houston game, but regardless, I feel the Cougars are just too powerful on offense and come away victorious.

Watch Arizona’s press conference following their win over Colorado:

We’re in crunch time, and the Wildcats need just one more win to become bowl eligible. Let’s hope the Cats can finish the year strong! Bear Down, Arizona!