Zona Zealots
Fansided

A very early look at the 2019 Arizona Football team

By Eric Townsend

PASADENA, CA - OCTOBER 20: Head coach Kevin Sumlin of the Arizona Wildcats looks on from the sideline during the NCAA college football game against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl on October 20, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - OCTOBER 20: Head coach Kevin Sumlin of the Arizona Wildcats looks on from the sideline during the NCAA college football game against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl on October 20, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

It’s officially bowl season, and while the Wildcats will be sitting at home this off-season, it’s not too early to look at the 2019 Arizona Football team.

The 2018 Arizona Football season was marred by ups and downs, but 2019 should be a better year for the Cats, or at least in theory.

As we begin to look at next season, there’s a few positives to take away. For one; the Wildcats return a number of starters from a defense that saw some improvements in 2018, compared to 2017.

Arizona Wildcats
Arizona Wildcats /

Arizona Wildcats

In 2017, the Wildcats ranked 118th overall in Total Defense. In 2018, they finished a few spots higher at 95th overall. Next season, that group will once again be led heavily by Colin Schooler and Tony Fields II.

Additionally, there’s a possibility the Wildcats could return PJ Johnson and Jace Whittaker to go along with the few, promising youngsters.

With the talent they have returning/ coming in and becoming eligible, it’s possible you could see this group make another positive jump up in 2019.

Offensively is where the biggest questions will remain! For starters; many are insinuating Khalil Tate could be moving on from the program. However, for now, let’s just admit to what they are, rumors. Nothing is official, so it’s silly to speculate.

All I know is Arizona’s offense was better with Tate in 2018, than it was without. Having him return wouldn’t be a bad thing, especially if healthy.

In addition to Tate, Arizona will return 1st team all Pac-12 running back, J.J. Taylor, the majority of their offensive line, Gary Brightwell among with a few others.

Lost in the struggles of this past season, was that Arizona still put up impressive offensive numbers.

The Wildcats ranked 26th in total offense, 36th in rushing offense, and 47th in scoring offense. Their passing offense wasn’t all that bad either, ranking 41st among all FBS schools!

If Tate is to return, I don’t see how those totals could get worse? The biggest losses I see from this group so far are; Layth Friekh, Shawn Poindexter, Tony Ellison and Shun Brown.

Arizona’s schedule looks promising, but of course it is still early to tell how their competition will fare. Here’s how 2019 looks so far:

  • August 24- @ Hawaii
  • September 7- NAU
  • September 14- Texas Tech
  • September 28- UCLA
  • October 5- @ Colorado
  • October 12- Washington
  • October 19- @ USC
  • October 26- @ Stanford
  • November 2- Oregon State
  • November 16- @ Oregon
  • November 23- Utah
  • November 29- @ ASU

While it is early, a lot will depend on the development of this team, and whether Tate returns or not. I feel with him at quarterback, the Wildcats can become bowl eligible, but then again, we had high expectations in 2018.

More. On Arizona Football. light

At Zona Zealots, we’re hoping for a bit better results and believe the Wildcats can turn it around. As always, Bear Down, Arizona!

Home/Wildcats Football