Can Arizona Football beat UCLA? Maybe, but here’s how!

It is gut-check time for Arizona Football in Week 4, after being steamrolled by Washington, they need to bounce back against UCLA, but can they do it? Here’s how!

It’s game week again for Arizona Football in the abbreviated and Pandemic-riddled 2020 football season, and by all accounts, this is a big week for the Wildcats.

Through the first two games, we saw a competitive effort against the USC Trojans that gave fans some hope for the season. Unfortunately, we backed that up by playing flat and a bit uninspired in the 44-27 drubbing at the hands of the Washington Huskies.

Arizona Wildcats

Luckily, Arizona did show some life in the fourth quarter, albeit being against back-ups, and second/third-stringers, but will that carry over this week against the UCLA Bruins?

Well, will see! The good thing for the Cats is that the Bruins are indeed a beatable team, and out of the remaining games for Arizona, this is one of the more winnable ones.

However, Arizona is going to have to play a much better and much cleaner game than they did the week before if they hope to come away victorious here. However, the challenge is on! If the Wildcats are to win this week, these are the Three Things that need to happen for them to get it done!

Take Care of Grant Gunnell –

Through two games, Arizona quarterback Grant Gunnell has been sacked nine times. NINE TIMES (cue the Ferris Bueller reference). You could say “well, maybe Grant needs to have more awareness to get rid of the ball.” However, that would be short-sighted and not necessarily true.

In short, Arizona’s offensive line hasn’t done particularly well in protecting Gunnell and keeping him upright, and after being sacked for the fifth time in the game last Saturday, you saw a young kid rise from the turf and look absolutely defeated. You can’t have that if you’re Arizona.

Also, receivers need to get open – As a “part two” to this key for the Wildcats, Arizona’s receivers also need to do a better job of creating separation and getting open for Grant. While the line does need to block better, you can help mitigate some of those offensive line breakdowns by having receivers that get open efficiently.

So keep Gunnell upright, allow him time to make the reads and make the throws, if not, it’s going to be a long day.

Create turnovers –

Yes, this key is on here again this week. In two games, Arizona has yet to create a turnover. That is simply unacceptable. For a team, and more specifically a defensive group that has zero turnovers in two games, Arizona has to figure out a way to get the ball more.

This is an inexperienced and thin group, so the less time they spend on the field, the better. Create more opportunities for the offense to score and hold onto the ball, and good things will naturally happen.

Additionally, creating turnovers for a young and inexperienced defensive group generates confidence. Something this group could use just about now.

Sustain Drives –

Arizona plays fast, and sometimes that is to their disadvantage. Last week, it, unfortunately, took a while for them to get going, converting just 2-13 of their third-down conversions. Well, as we all saw, that did not help the Wildcats, as the Huskies controlled the clock for 37 minutes compared to the Wildcats’ 22 minutes.

When Arizona controls the time of possession, good things typically tend to happen. Any opportunity that keeps the offense on the field, and the defense on the bench and staying well-rested is an opportunity the Cats need to figure out and take advantage of.

So, in order for Arizona to beat UCLA, they need to sustain drives and keep the chains moving!

At Zona Zealots, we’re hopeful the Cats can rebound, and hopefully come away victorious this time. As always, Bear Down, Arizona!