Arizona Football: What will it take for the Cats to beat USC?

With Arizona Football taking on USC this week, here is what needs to happen in order for the Wildcats to be able beat the Trojans?

After much anticipation ahead of the 2020 season, Arizona Football looks to kick their season off the ground this Saturday against the Trojans of USC.

The Wildcats are coming off a let down due to the COVID-19 out break with the Utah Football team the week prior. The outbreak forced the game to be cancelled, while USC is riding the high of a miraculous come back against ASU. Thank you again USC!

Arizona Wildcats

This week will be a different story as the Wildcats look to stop the Trojans right in their tracks. However, it won’t be easy. Here is what needs to happen in order for the Wildcats to win?

First and foremost, the Wildcats’ defense has to gain momentum and believe in themselves. It will be essential for that group to get a “3-and-outs” or create turnovers to prove to themselves that they are capable of stopping opponents.

While it is no small task, especially against a very athletic USC team, it can be done by putting pressure on their QB Kedon Slovis who showed last week he is prone to turning it over. If the Wildcats can cause the same amount of disturbance and can win the turn over battle, they have a shot at upsetting the Trojans in Tucson on Saturday.

However, that is not the only thing that has to go their way though. Another key aspect is the running game. Arizona will rely heavily on Gary Brightwell to carry the load. After being the back up to J.J. Taylor last year, Mr. Brightwell is looking forward to get his chance to shine.

His size and speed allows him to impact the game in many ways! He is not a one trick pony by any means. Brightwell has the speed and quickness to break big runs, to go along with the size to pound the ball up the middle.

So that goes without saying, but the offensive line will play a big role in the game against USC. Are they able to get a push up front against a big Defensive Line of the Trojans? Also, are they able to pass protect against the blitz to give Grant Gunnell time to throw to his receivers?

That brings me to my next key point in beating the Trojans on Saturday. Grant is going to have to stay upright and be accurate with his passes. A big priority of his on Saturday should be to stay ahead of the chains.

A fault of last years’ team was getting into unmanageable third down situations, meaning 3rd and longs that forced the QB to pass and having fit the ball into tight coverages. If the Wildcats are able to stay ahead of the chains, it will keep the defense off the field, which in turn gives the defense more time to rest and regroup.

The last and final point and key to the game is special teams. Oh yes, special teams has been the enemy for this Wildcats programs for years and years. They are going to have to face that demon head on again this year.

With that being said, special teams can’t have any major gaffes in Saturday’s game. Which means short punts, missed fields goals or fumbles on punt and kick off returns. The last thing this Arizona Football team needs, is to give USC any sort of extra advantage.

Let’s say they do get this game off the ground on Saturday and the Wildcats are able to take the field for the first time in 2020. There is a ton that is going to have to fall in their favor to beat the Trojans. One thing that most likely will already be in their favor though, is the beautiful sunny weather of Tucson, Arizona. Let’s hope the Wildcats can keep it from being a gloomy Saturday by surprising us all with an upset of USC! As always Wildcat fans, BearDown with pride and stay classy out there! Go Cats!