Preview: Arizona Football turns focus to the Washington Huskies

The Arizona Football team enters their biggest game of the season! After winning four-straight, the Cats will take on the Washington Huskies!

The Arizona Football team is still rolling! After knocking off the Colorado Buffaloes 35-30 on the road this past weekend, the Wildcats now sit at 4-1 (2-0) on the year, and sit alone in first place in the Pac-12 South.

Who would have thought this was all possible, especially after the Wildcats lost to Hawaii in disheartening fashion to begin the year. Regardless, the Wildcats have responded in a big way, and it’s exciting to witness it all.

Arizona Wildcats

However, we must note that things don’t get any easier from here, as the meat of Arizona’s schedule begins. This weekend, the Wildcats will arguably have their toughest match-up of the season with the Washington Huskies coming to town.

To make matters even more challenging, the Huskies are coming off a tough loss on the road against Stanford in which the Huskies lost 23-13. So I imagine that’s going to make Washington super focused and a bit pissed off in this one.

The good thing for the Cats is that Khalil Tate comes into this one healthy after playing one of his best games of his career, and of course playing at home in front of the Wildcat faithful can make things at least a bit easier if you’re Arizona.

Nonetheless, beating the Huskies will be a challenge, and with that said, here’s our ‘Week 7’ preview:

Know Thy Foe:

Team: Washington Huskies (4-2, 1-2)

Conference: Pac-12 Conference

2018 Record: 10-4 (7-2); lost to Ohio State 28-23 in the 2019 Rose Bowl, after winning the Pac-12.

Head Coach: Chris Petersen enters his sixth with the Huskies, where he is 51-23 (31-17) overall. Petersen is in his 14th season overall as a head, after previously spending eight seasons with the Boise State Broncos, where he went an impressive 92-12 (57-6) with five conference championships.

Overall, Petersen is 143-35 as a head coach and has really turned the Huskies around into being a dominate program like they were in the early 90s.

Key Returners/ Starters: This season, the Huskies have quite the potent offense, relying heavily on the play of quarterback, Jacob Eason, the transfer from Georgia. Also, the Huskies have quite the talented backfield, using running backs Salvon Ahmed and Richard Newton most notably.

Additionally, they have quite the talented trio of pass catchers, mostly relying on Andre Baccellia, Hunter Bryant, and Aaron Fuller.

Defensively, the Huskies are stout just as they always have been under Petersen, giving up roughly 18.3 points per game. Overall, this group has play makers everywhere, and have gotten solid play from; Myles Bryant, Kyler Manu and Kyler Gordon.

The Huskies also have some solid pass rushers in Benning Potoa’e and Ryan Bowman among others.

Key Injuries: 

Washington

• Trey Lowe – WR (Infection) Lowe has been sitting out due to an infection, and it is unknown when he will return to action.
• Josh Calvert – LB (Knee) Suffered a season-ending knee injury.
• John Clark – DL (Knee) Clark has sustained a season-ending knee injury.
• Jacob Kizer – TE (Back) Has been sidelined due to a back injury, and it is unclear when he will be ready to make his season debut.
• Quinten Pounds – WR (Knee) Pounds is sidelined with a knee injury, and didn’t play against Stanford. It’s uncertain if he will play vs Arizona.
• Cole Norgaard – OL (Ankle) Has missed the last few games with an ankle injury, and it is unclear if he will play against Arizona.
• Ty Jones – WR (Hand) Jones is suffering from a hand injury, and it is unknown if he will suit up Saturday against Arizona

Game Information: 

When: Saturday, October 12th, 2019

Time: 8:00 PM PST/ 9:00 PM MST

Watch: FS1

Where: Arizona Stadium – Tucson, AZ (55,675)

Spread: -7.0 Washington

Overall Series Record: 21-11-1 Washington. Arizona has a fairly lengthy history with Washington, with the Wildcats and Huskies having been pretty even as of late in the series.

Last Meeting vs. Arizona: Washington won the last meeting between the two schools, coming away with the 35-28 overtime victory while in Tucson in 2016. Three years later, the Huskies return to Tucson again.

My Prediction: Washington 31 Arizona 27. Washington comes into this one as the one touchdown favorite, and ultimately I think Washington just has a bit too much talent for Arizona to overcome this one.

This is will likely be the best defense the Wildcats face all season, and scoring isn’t going to be an easy feat. Arizona is going to have to play a nearly perfect, mistake-free game like they did last week against Colorado, and while I think this game will be competitive, I think the Wildcats will come up just short.

Prediction record so far: 2-3

At Zona Zealots, we’re hoping Arizona can continue their winning ways, and perhaps surprise the Huskies in Tucson! As always, Bear Down, Arizona and beat the Huskies!