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Arizona Football: First game will bring familiar foe and faces

By Eric Townsend

EUGENE, OR - OCTOBER 29: Head coach Todd Graham watches his team warm up before the game against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium on October 29, 2016 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
EUGENE, OR - OCTOBER 29: Head coach Todd Graham watches his team warm up before the game against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium on October 29, 2016 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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We’re 219 days until the Arizona Football team kicks off for the 2020 season, and with the opener against Hawaii, this game brings a lot of intrigue.

It wouldn’t be an Arizona Football season if there wasn’t a least a few story lines and drama surrounding the team. Interestingly enough, when the season kicks-off August 29 against Hawaii, there’s going to be a few story lines dominating the headlines.

For starters, former Arizona offensive lineman Michael Eletise had transferred back to Hawaii prior to last season. After making an appeal, Eletise was thrown into the line-up, becoming an offensive starter for the Rainbow Warriors.

Arizona Wildcats
Arizona Wildcats /

Arizona Wildcats

Fast forward to this upcoming season, and Eletise will return to Tucson to face his former school. However, what will really dominate the headlines is Hawaii hiring Todd Graham.

If you have been paying attention, there have been a whirlwind of hires in the Pac-12. Mike Leach left Washington State for Mississippi State, then Hawaii’s Nick Rolovich was hired at WSU, while Graham heads to Hawaii.

The news of his hiring came late on Tuesday evening, and it becomes an interesting hire to follow, especially as the Cats prepare to hopefully start the season hot.

For those needing a harsh reminder, the former coach of the Sun Devils went 4-2 against the Wildcats from 2012-17. The past few years Graham has been a thorn in Arizona’s side, and this game brings even more intrigue.

While Hawaii did lose quarterback Cole McDonald and their former coach Rolovich, this may possibly be a game that becomes even tougher and also far more important for head coach Kevin Sumlin and the Wildcats to win.

Arizona possibly losing to Hawaii for the second-straight year would be absolutely disastrous!

So with Graham and Eletise now with Hawaii, the story lines of those two are naturally going to become dominant in the coming weeks and months.

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At Zona Zealots, we’re just hoping that by the time the season starts, the Cats will be ready and hopefully able to come away victorious! As always, Bear Down, Arizona!

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