Arizona Football has a must win game versus Oregon State

We enter a must-win situation for the Arizona Football team (4-4, 2-3) this week, as the Wildcats take on the Oregon State Beavers (3-4, 2-2).

It’s homecoming week for the Arizona Football team, and if there were ever a must-win game for the Wildcats, it’s this one. After dropping their third straight game at the hands of Stanford this weekend, the Wildcats need to rebound and quickly. 

Either way, what a difference a few weeks can make though. After starting the year a very surprising 4-1, reality has set back in as the Wildcats’ once lofty dreams have come crashing down hard after losing their third straight game.

Arizona Wildcats

With the losses piling up, the losing streak certainly has not been kind to this team or fan base, and we are approaching near chaos. To make matters worse or better, depending on the way you look at it, but Arizona has parted ways with defensive coordinator, Marcel Yates and linebacker coach, John Rushing.

Certainly credit has to go to head coach Kevin Sumlin and Arizona for making a tough decision in the middle of the season.

Apparently, the Wildcats still feel like there is enough of the season to still salvage, and perhaps making those staffing changes now could help the Cats turn things around quickly.

Fittingly with homecoming upon us, and the Wildcats wearing throwback uniforms to honor the late coach, Dick Tomey, Arizona will have a bit of a throwback on the sidelines from here on out, with former Wildcats Chuck Cecil and Hank Hobson stepping in as acting Defensive Coordinator and Linebacker coach!

https://twitter.com/ArizonaFBall/status/1188983789181132801?s=20

However, with all those changes going on, we’re still left with a divided fan base regarding the future of the quarterback position. Many are still pushing for the freshman Grant Gunnell who “better fits” Noel Mazzone’s offense, but is still a bit young.

Meanwhile, Khalil Tate has plenty of experience and play making ability, albeit having made some untimely and costly mistakes.

Nonetheless, it should be an interesting few weeks to close out the season, and beating Oregon State would certainly help cure some of the woes the Wildcats have seen of recent.

With that said, here’s our ‘Week 10’ preview of Arizona’s match-up against the Beavers:

Know Thy Foe:

Team: Oregon State Beavers (3-4, 2-3)

Conference: Pac-12 Conference

2018 Record: 2-10 (1-8); lost to rival Oregon in the final game of the season by a 55-15 final.

Head Coach: Jonathan Smith enters his second season in Corvallis after having most recently served as the Offensive Coordinator and Quarterback coach at Washington.

This is his first, heading coaching gig, and so far Smith is 5-14 overall as a head coach, hoping to turn around a currently abysmal program.

Last year, the Beavers were just 2-10, but this year Smith has them playing much more competitive football, and their 3-4 record is a clear indication of that.

Key Returners/ Starters: This season the Beavers have been led by the big, senior quarterback in Jake Luton who is having quite the season. So far, Luton has amassed over 1,600 yards passing with 16 touchdowns to only one interception.

Additionally, they’ve had some great production in the backfield with the trio of Art Pierce, Jemar Jefferson and B.J. Taylor.

As for their receivers, Luton likes to spread the ball out, but there’s no doubt Isaiah Hodgins is the main target, already accounting 765 yards receiving with 10 touchdowns. The Beavers have also seen great production from Champ Flemings, Tyjon Lindsey and Kolby Taylor among others.

Defensively is where the Beavers have struggled this year, giving up an average of 31.6 points per game. Nonetheless, this group is without a doubt led by linebacker Hamilcar Rashed, Jr. who is having a monstrous year with 43 tackles, 14.5 of them going for a loss and getting nine sacks.

In addition to Rashed, Jr., the Beavers have had some good production from guys like; Avery Roberts, Shemar Smith, John McCartan and Riley Sharp among others.

Key Injuries: 

Arizona 

• No injuries are listed at this time

Oregon State

• LB – Andrzej Hughes-Murray (Out) – Hughes-Murray is expected to miss an extended period due to a foot injury.
• LB – Kyrei Fisher (Out) – Fisher is dealing with an eligibility matter and will not be available for the 2019 season.
• DL – Jeromy Reichner (Out) – Reichner tore his ACL and is out of the entire 2019 season.
• OL – Nathan Eldridge (Questionable) – Eldridge has missed the last four games due to an ankle ailment, and it is unknown if he will be available to against Arizona (his former school).
• WR – Jesiah Irish (Questionable) – Irish has a leg injury, and it is unclear if he will play against Arizona.
• RB – Jermar Jefferson (Questionable) – Jefferson has missed the last two games with an ankle injury, and it is unclear if he will take the field against Arizona on Nov. 2.
• WR – Trevon Bradford (Probable) – Bradford has been out of action due to a foot injury, but he is likely to make his season debut against Arizona.

Game Information: 

When: Saturday, November 2nd, 2019

Time: 1:30 AM PST/ 2:30 PM MST

Watch: Pac-12 Network

Where: Arizona Stadium – Tucson, AZ (50,424)

Spread: TBD

Overall Series Record: 24-15-1 Arizona. This is a series that Arizona has led for quite sometime, despite the Beavers seeing some dominance over the Cats between the late 90s and early 2000s. However, Arizona has won three of the last four meetings between these squads.

Last Meeting vs. Arizona: Arizona had won the last match-up over Oregon State, travelling to Corvallis last season, and beating the Beavers by a 35-14 final to open conference play.

My Prediction: Arizona 38 Oregon State 28. I believe this is a game Arizona wins not only because they are home and respond to the three-straight losses, but also because it’s homecoming and the Wildcats will at least have the edge being at home and having that little extra umph while at homecoming.

I do think the Beavers will make this one competitive and will challenge the Cats, but Arizona does just enough, playing to their strengths, and run away with the win here.

Prediction record so far: 5-3

At Zona Zealots, we’re excited to see how the Wildcats play this weekend, and are hoping a new, sense of energy with Cecil as the defensive coordinator, it being homecoming and the throwback uniforms being worn for coach Tomey! As always, Bear Down, Arizona and beat the Beavers!