Facing 11-game losing streak, Arizona Football prepares for Colorado
After reaching a program low 10th-straight loss, the Arizona Football team (0-3, 0-3), will look to rebound against the Colorado Buffaloes (3-0, 2-0) in a matchup against the Harris Brothers.
We have witnessed some ugly football these past few weeks, and after dropping now, 10-straight games, things are far from good in Tucson. Things don’t get any easier either, as the Arizona Football team (0-3, 0-3), will have to take on a Colorado team (3-0, 2-0), that is exceeding expectations.
As you may recall, sophomore quarterback, Grant Gunnell went down on the first play of the game on Saturday evening, as Arizona got completely outcoached and outclassed in their 27-10 loss to UCLA.
Arizona Wildcats
Coming into this week, a lot will be discussed about the status of their signal-caller. His absence certainly makes winning on Saturday much tougher.
And so far in 2020, it appears this season has been a wash anyway. The team is struggling, there is also growing apathy among the fans and perhaps the players as well, and with Colorado and ASU looming, it is looking very likely this group finishes with zero wins, which is a stark contrast to where they were four years ago.
The preparation has been horrible, so has been the player development, and in an abbreviated, Covid-riddled season, the issues facing Arizona Football are magnified.
Right now, this is a bad football team that doesn’t have a whole lot of confidence, and with numerous players that are sitting out or are injured, and it is going to make things tough moving forward.
This week, Arizona has to show more fight. They need to prepare and scheme better, otherwise, it is going to be another long day.
Know Thy Foe:
Team: Colorado Buffaloes (3-0, 2-0)
Conference: Pac-12 Conference
2019 Record: The Buffaloes finished 5-7 (3-6) in 2019 and had to bring in a new coach, as former head coach Mel Tucker bolted for Michigan State after one season in Boulder.
Head Coach: Karl Dorrell is a familiar face to not only the Pac-12 but to Arizona as well. A former standout Wide Receiver with the Bruins, Dorrell has bounced around in the conference, coaching at Colorado, Arizona State, and Washington before becoming the head coach at UCLA from 2003-07.
Going 35-27 in five seasons in Pasadena, Dorrell was then let go after the 2007 season, and now he returns to the Pac-12 yet again. So far in 2020, he is proving he has a solid group with the Buffaloes, as Colorado is off to a nice, 3-0 start!
Key Returners/ Starters: So far, the Buffaloes have put up an impressive 34.3 points per game, and they have done mostly behind the play of running back, Jarek Broussard. In three games, the sophomore has 432 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 90 carries (4.8 average).
He has been a big part of their offense, however, you also cannot deny the play of quarterback Sam Noyer who is pretty mobile, and his receivers, Dimitri Stanley and Vontae Shenault (younger brother to former Buffalo standout, Laviska.
Defensively, they have struggled a little bit, however, they still have some terrific playmakers like linebackers Nate Landman, Carson Wells, and Akil Jones, as well as defensive backs Isaiah Lewis and Derrion Rakestraw.
Colorado
- OL – Colby Pursell (Undisclosed) – Colby is questionable for Saturday vs Arizona.
- TE – Brady Russell (Ankle) – Is out indefinitely.
- OL – Joshua Jynes (Undisclosed) – Joshua is questionable for Saturday vs Arizona.
- RB – Deion Smith (Knee) – Out for the season.
- RB – Alex Fontenot (Undisclosed) – Out for the season.
- DB – Will Anglen (Left Team) – Out for the season.
Arizona
- QB – Grant Gunnell (Shoulder) – Is questionable versus Colorado.
- LB – Jabar Triplett (Achilles) – The freshman is out for the season after suffering from a surgically repaired Achilles this off-season.
- WR – Jaden Mitchell (Knee) – ACL Tear. Out for the season
- S – Christian Young (Undisclosed) – Out for the season.
- CB – Bobby Wolfe (Opt-Out) – Out for the season.
- CB – Malik Hausman (Opt-Out) – Out for the season.
- CB – McKenzie Barnes (Opt-Out) – Out for the season.
Game Information:
When: Saturday, December 5th, 2020
Time: 5:00 PM MST (Arizona Time) | 4:00 PM PST
Watch: FS1
Where: Arizona Stadium – Tucson, AZ (50,782… 0)
Spread: +3.5 Arizona
Overall Series Record: 14-8 Arizona. Arizona has dominated this series recently, having won three straight and seven of their nine against the Buffaloes. However, the unfortunate thing this year, is that Khalil Tate is not playing the Buffaloes, and Arizona is currently riding a 10-game losing streak.
Last Meeting vs. Arizona: Arizona came away with the big, 35-30 win over Colorado in Boulder last year. Tate threw for 404 yards and three touchdowns in the Wildcats’ last collegiate win.
My Prediction: Last week was yet another bad week for Arizona Football. College Football is a game of momentum and confidence, and right now, this team doesn’t have any. When you lose 10-straight games, it wears on your program and players, and it’s hard getting rid of that stink.
Colorado comes in 3-0, they aren’t in the midst of a losing streak, and they don’t have multiple players sitting out, or a team that has gone apathetic. Bet on Colorado with the over, as running back Jarek Broussard runs all over the Cats in this one. Colorado 38 Arizona 24.
Prediction record so far: 3-0
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At Zona Zealots, hopefully the Cats can figure something out and at least make this a competitive game. As always, Bear Down Arizona and Beat the Buffaloes!