Arizona Football: Season Predictions from the Zona Zealots staff

How will Arizona Football fare this season? Well, at Zona Zealots, we shared some thoughts as a staff, making our pre-season predictions!

There are numerous ways to look at this years’ Arizona Football team, and overall the main question is how might they fare in an odd season which will feature zero non-conference games.

At this point, we are just over a week away until the Wildcats will square off against a pretty dominant Utah team on November 7th at 2 pm. They will then follow it up against USC and then at Washington.

Arizona Wildcats

The road ahead looks daunting, and Arizona will surely have some tough battles to face. Nonetheless, here is how our staff at Zona Zealots thinks the season will go in 2020.

Eric Townsend

Prediction: 2-4

I’m thinking 2-4 on the regular season, and who knows about any games or a bowl game, assuming Arizona even has a chance at making one.

The team has too many questions and concerns on defense to make me feel comfortable in thinking they exceed 2 wins this year.

2020 did absolutely no favors for Arizona in the sense that they get Zero out of conference games, and they lost a lot of talent via the transfer portal.

Add to that, that their schedule got changed so they face Washington on the road, in addition to their tough South schedule of games, and I don’t see many positive outcomes this year.

I can still see the offense put up some respectable numbers, but not enough to make this a competitive or winning group.

Shereen Rayan

Prediction: 2-5 record
The team lost a ton of talent who had a lot of experience. If the coaching staff hasn’t figured out how to get the chemistry going under these circumstances and the new transfer rules, it’s going to be hard to find a common team goal. Last year, it seemed as if everyone was working for their own self-interest.

Mazzone will need a new playbook. No matter how good Gunnell is, and he is good, he won’t be able to do his thing without a solid O-Line and imaginative playbook. The other Pac-12 coaches have already figured out our sorry old offensive scheme.

The defense will struggle, and it won’t be their fault, as they’re young and we don’t know how these coaches will do or what their strategy is, so it’s hard to predict.

I just hope there are no major injuries and we will be primed for next season. I say to get everyone playing time and use this time for practice, holding no expectations.

Jordan Cuda

Prediction: 1-5

Utah

The first game of the year for the Wildcats and I expect them to come out fired up and ready to play. While they may get off to a fast start, I don’t think the offense remains consistent enough against a stout Utah defense.

Utah: 38 Wildcats: 28

USC

Coming off a loss at Utah who plays some bruising football with their ground and pound game, it will be difficult for the Wildcats to keep up with the athletes that the Trojans have. Even though the Wildcats will be at home, it won’t be enough as the fans will not be there.

USC: 42 Wildcats: 24

Washington

This one could get ugly quick! A trip to Washington in late November means it will be cold with a chance of rain and maybe snow. One of the strengths of the Wildcats is Grant Gunnell’s passing abilities. However, cold weather with a chance of rain or snow does not bode well for the Wildcats. Look for the offense to go cold just like the weather.

Washington: 42 Wildcats: 17

UCLA

Both teams might be looking for their first win of the season in this match up. It might not be pretty but the Wildcats find a way to win in the City of Angels.

Wildcats: 30 UCLA: 24

Colorado

No Khalil Tate? Finally, Colorado rejoices as they get redemption on the Cats! Two teams in the middle of a rebuilding process that are trying to figure it out. Colorado finds their offense in the Desert to send the Wildcats to 1-4 on the season.

Colorado: 35 Wildcats: 27

ASU

1-4 and nothing to play for except the Territorial Cup. Sounds familiar huh? With the losses on defense, this team won’t be able to stop Jayden Daniels and the Devils’ offense. While the Cats will be able to score on the Devils, it will end in another year of the Cup being in Tempe, ending their season at 1-5 and at a crossroads in the program.

Devils: 48 Wildcats: 31

At Zona Zealots, these are just our predictions! Now share yours in the comments below! We are excited to see what you guys think of this years team! As always Bear Down and Go Cats!