Arizona Football: 2020 Success will hinge on an improved defense

As the Arizona Football team prepares for the upcoming 2020 season, their success and improvement will hinge on an improved defense.

I know we’re months away from the start of the 2020 Arizona Football season, and I know there are some concerns and doubts by some that a season will even happen given the current state of things. However, we got to go with the assumption that in four months, things will be better.

At this point, there’s no getting around it. Fans are unhappy with how things have gone the last two years, and if I’m being honest here, I have been extremely disappointed as well. I will admit, that my positivity in regards to the Kevin Sumlin hire may have been a bit short sighted, as it’s been a rough product to watch and get behind.

Arizona Wildcats

In the last two years, the Wildcats have gone just a combined 9-15, and have quickly become the doormat of the Pac-12.

But how? Is it the fault of the players? Is it the recruiting? Is it the previous staffs fault? How much is the current staff to blame?

I don’t know that answer, but I got to think the answer lies somewhere in between, or at least there is shared blame to go around for the shortcomings the last two seasons.

Also in the failures of the last two seasons was the porous play of the defense. In 2018, the defense ranked 92 overall, and in 2019, it somehow got worse as the Cats ranked 120 (out of 130).

Luckily, there have been significant changes to the staff to hopefully right the ship. And I know some here are also blaming offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone too, but is he really to blame so much?

While I do think he and Khalil Tate did not mesh well, I do also think there is an element of predictability in his offense that hurts him. However, based on the numbers, the Wildcats have shown they were productive the last two years in moving the ball; ranking 24th overall in Total Offense in 2018, and 30th overall in 2019.

I will admit, the scoring offense hasn’t been as impressive, but I partly blame that on Arizona scoring just 85.7 percent of the time while in the redzone. Sounds decent, but that percentage ranked 53rd overall last year.

But as I digress, the results have not been contingent on the offense so much, as it has been the fault of the defense. Arizona can’t be outscoring opponents every week in barn burners just to have a winning season, that’s not a recipe for success.

This year, with Grant Gunnell assuming the responsibilities as the only starting quarterback, he was specifically recruited to fit Mazzone’s offense, so I think you could see increased production on offense as a result.

What will be key for Arizona to winning in 2020 will once again be the defense.

While I don’t think the Wildcats are suddenly going to have a Top 50 defense, I think a major win would be if Arizona somehow finished better than being ranked in the 90s or lower.

Should the Cats have a Defense that ranks in the Top 75-80, I think there is maybe… I REPEAT MAYBE, a chance they find some success this year.

Anyways, this is just how I’m feeling. Do you agree or disagree with that sentiment? Let us know and always, Bear Down!