Arizona Football: 3 weekends away from starting and here 3 keys to their season

With the Wildcats returning the gridiron in just three more weekends, here are the ‘3 Key’ to a successful Arizona Football season.

There is no debate, the Arizona Football program is in desperate need of a winning season, especially as the past few years have been as dry as the desert in Arizona.

With 2020 being a year that we could have never predicted, it is time for the Wildcats to blow up the predictions that have them finishing last in the PAC-12 according to many experts. If they are to do so, here are the ‘3 Keys’ that will be crucial to their success.

Arizona Wildcats

The first key is Grant Gunnell and his connection to the wide receiving core that is one of the few bright spots on this team. And there have been a lot of rumors about the improvements he has made both on and off the field.

In just three weeks he will get to put those rumors to the test, especially as the Wildcats kick off their season against a talented Utah team.

To me, Gunnell’s arm is going to be a key if the Wildcats are to remain competitive against their tough schedule. However, it is not all up to him.

There is no doubt that he will need help from his receiving core as well, and they are going to have to make the most of their opportunities and work in an efficient manner. This team can ill afford having too many three and outs this year, and the offense will need to be firing on all cylinders, especially given Arizona’s depth on defense.

That brings us to our second key to the Wildcats season and that is the defense. What will they look like? Where will the leadership come from? How are they going to get stops on a consistent basis? There are a lot of unknowns heading into the season that will need to be answered ASAP!

With zero non-conference warm up games against teams like NAU, the players on defense will have to figure it out and make plays immediately. Anthony Pandy will play a major part in making sure this defense is doing its job.

It will truly be the slogan “next man up” for this group. It can be the type of situation that brings a group together, or tears the team apart. As Wildcat fans, we hope it is a bonding moment for them and a turning point for this program.

The third and final key is special teams. It gives many Wildcat fans nightmares just thinking about the numerous special teams gaffes that have costed this program games over the past few years.

With that being said, it will be critical for the special teams to pin teams deep in their own zone and drill ’em through the up rights when given the chance. These small details could play a major factor in Arizona being a surprise team in 2020.

Yes there is a lot of pieces that have to fit perfectly for the Wildcats to catch the conference by surprise. As fans of this program, we can only hope and pray that this season provides us with some moments of celebration. Maybe even a “W” against the team up north! Wouldn’t that be a pleasant gift to cap off 2020!