Zona Zealots
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The Five keys for Arizona Football to beat ASU this weekend

By Jordan Cuda

TEMPE, AZ - NOVEMBER 25: Wide receiver N'Keal Harry #1 of the Arizona State Sun Devils catches a five yard touchdown reception ahead of cornerback Jace Whittaker #17 of the Arizona Wildcats during the second half of the college football game at Sun Devil Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Wildcats 42-30. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TEMPE, AZ - NOVEMBER 25: Wide receiver N'Keal Harry #1 of the Arizona State Sun Devils catches a five yard touchdown reception ahead of cornerback Jace Whittaker #17 of the Arizona Wildcats during the second half of the college football game at Sun Devil Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Wildcats 42-30. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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TEMPE, AZ – OCTOBER 18: Manny Wilkins #5 of the Arizona State Sun Devils gets sacked while trying to pass against the Stanford Cardinal in the fourth quarter of the game at Sun Devil Stadium on October 18, 2018 in Tempe, Arizona. Stanford won 20-13. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
TEMPE, AZ – OCTOBER 18: Manny Wilkins #5 of the Arizona State Sun Devils gets sacked while trying to pass against the Stanford Cardinal in the fourth quarter of the game at Sun Devil Stadium on October 18, 2018 in Tempe, Arizona. Stanford won 20-13. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

No. 4 – Pressure the quarterback!

Arizona’s pass rush has been pretty average this season, tied for 63rd in the country with 23 total sacks on the year. Against Washington State, the Wildcats virtually had no pass rush at all.

More concerning in that game was how the Wildcats chose to rush the opposing quarterback. Against the Cougars last Saturday, Arizona rushed three guys 27 times! 27! That resulted in sacking Gardner Minshew just twice.

Against a pass heavy offense like Wazzu’s that’s just not going to cut it! Given the limitations and weaknesses of the secondary, predictably, Minshew was able to shred the Wildcat secondary, throwing for a season high 473 yards and seven touchdowns.

Against a team like ASU, that’s not going to cut it. If Arizona is to win, they are going to need to do whatever they can against ASU’s Manny Wilkins.

Wilkins is a solid quarterback, and if given time, he will torch the secondary just like Minshew did.

Do not let him get comfortable in the pocket. Force him to make fast reads to increase the chance of a mistake. Early stops or turnovers could lead to confidence that the defense desperately needs in this rivalry game.

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