SB Nation Arizona - Arizona Wildcats Football: UA Releases Depth Chart, Injuries Plaguing Defensehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46593/arizona-fave.png2011-08-30T20:47:29-07:00http://arizona.sbnation.com/rss/stream/21339602011-08-30T20:47:29-07:002011-08-30T20:47:29-07:00Arizona Wildcats Release Depth Chart, Youth Abound Offensively and Defensively
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<p>Opening kickoff is just a few days away and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/arizona-wildcats">Arizona Wildcats</a> have released their first depth chart for the upcoming season. While minor injuries will change a few things for their game against Northern Arizona, these will be the primary starters for the 'Cats this weekend. Let's take a look at the projected starters on both sides of the ball.</p>
<p>QB - <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/6915/nick-foles">Nick Foles</a>, Sr.</p>
<p>RB - <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/35198/keola-antolin">Keola Antolin</a>, Sr.</p>
<p>FB/HB - <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77400/taimi-tutogi">Taimi Tutogi</a>, Jr.</p>
<p>WR #1 - <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/35223/juron-criner">Juron Criner</a>, Sr.</p>
<p>WR #2 - <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37903/dan-buckner">Dan Buckner</a>, Jr.</p>
<p>IR/WR #3 - <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/8896/david-roberts">David Roberts</a>, Sr.</p>
<p>TE - Drew Robinson, Jr.</p>
<p>LT - <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/112751/mickey-baucus">Mickey Baucus</a>, Fr.</p>
<p>LG - <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77408/chris-putton">Chris Putton</a>, So.</p>
<p>C - <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/35221/kyle-quinn">Kyle Quinn</a>, Jr.</p>
<p>RG - <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/35217/trace-biskin">Trace Biskin</a>, Jr.</p>
<p>RT - <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/112752/fabbians-ebbele">Fabbians Ebbele</a>, Fr.</p>
<p>The offense will have a nice mix of both veterans and first-time starters, though improvements will need to be made in multiple areas if the unit hopes to be successful. While the starting quarterback, running back and wide receivers all return, the offensive line has undergone a lot of turnover the last two seasons. All eyes will be on the front five in the first few games of the season.</p>
<p>DE - <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77401/c-j-parish">C.J. Parish</a>, Sr.</p>
<p>DT - <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77402/justin-washington">Justin Washington</a>, So.</p>
<p>NT - <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77416/sione-tuihalamaka">Sione Tuihalamaka</a>, So.</p>
<p>DE - Mohammad Usman, Sr.</p>
<p>LB - <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/112745/paul-vassallo">Paul Vassallo</a>, Sr.</p>
<p>LB - <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/135345/rob-hankins">Rob Hankins</a>, Fr.</p>
<p>LB - <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/112744/derek-earls">Derek Earls</a>, Sr.</p>
<p>SS - <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/112725/marquis-flowers">Marquis Flowers</a>, So.</p>
<p>FS - <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/35194/robert-golden">Robert Golden</a>, Sr.</p>
<p>CB - <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/8842/trevin-wade">Trevin Wade</a>, Sr.</p>
<p>CB - <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113604/shaquille-richardson">Shaquille Richardson</a>, So.</p>
<p>Again, there should be a nice mix of both veterans and up-and-comers in 2011. The injuries to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77393/adam-hall">Adam Hall</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77398/jake-fischer">Jake Fischer</a> will hurt in September, but both should return by October to sure up the unit. The defensive line will have to perform despite the losses of both of last year's starting defensive ends.</p>
<p>K - <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/135346/jaime-salazar">Jaime Salazar</a>, Jr.</p>
<p>P - <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/135337/kyle-dugandzic">Kyle Dugandzic</a>, Jr.</p>
<p>There will be a new punter and new kicker for the Wildcats this season. I'm as terrified as you are.</p>
<p><i>For more Wildcats coverage, check out </i><a href="http://azdesertswarm.com" target="_blank">Arizona Desert Swarm</a>.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-wildcats/2011/8/30/2394976/arizona-wildcats-football-depth-chart-nick-folesScott Coleman2011-08-23T17:20:01-07:002011-08-23T17:20:01-07:00Arizona Wildcats Football: Trevin Wade Poised To Rebound From Mediocre 2010 Season, Lead Wildcats Defense
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/arizona-wildcats">Arizona Wildcats</a> cornerback Trevin Wade knows what it's like to be on top. He was magnificent during his sophomore year, back in 2009, when he emerged as a defensive star and earned second-team All-Pac-10 honors. He also knows what it's like to fall from the top, as evidenced by his poor showing last season. Through a few weeks of training camp, it looks like Wade is ready to impress again and become a key component of the Wildcats' defense heading into the 2011 season.</p>
<p>Wade showcased his abilities in 2009, starting all 13 games and compiling 71 sacks and five interceptions along the way. He looked poised to take another step forward in 2010 and anchor the Wildcats' defense.</p>
<p>Wade, unfortunately, didn't live up to the hype last year. He performed well over the first few weeks, highlighted by an 85-yard touchdown return off an interception against Iowa in Week 3. From there, however, Wade dealt with a bruised thigh and his stats slipped off. He finished with 47 tackles (24 less than the year before) and recorded no more interceptions after his 85-yard dash against Iowa.</p>
<p>The senior has looked very sharp in training camp so far, most notably in Saturday's scrimmage when he intercepted quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/6915/nick-foles">Nick Foles</a> twice. If he can perform at a high level this year, the Wildcats' defense could become very dynamic. Arizona ranked fourth in the Pac-10 last season in passing defense (behind Cal, Washington and Stanford), surrendering on average 209.2 yards through the air each game; that was with a mediocre Wade. If he can perform, the Wildcats' secondary- and the team as a whole- will become a lot more lethal. </p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-wildcats/2011/8/23/2380577/arizona-wildcats-football-trent-wade-poised-to-rebound-from-mediocreNikil Selvam2011-08-23T07:00:45-07:002011-08-23T07:00:45-07:00Arizona Wildcats Football: Juron Criner Set To Lead Talented Group Of Wide Receivers
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<p>Arizona's wide receivers for the upcoming season have a chance to become one of the best groups in program history.</p>
<p>The unit will be led by All-American candidate Junor Criner. The senior-to-be had somewhat of a conspicuous off-season filled with false rumors and reports, though he is back on campus and ready to wreck havoc on the Pac-12. Criner, who hauled in 1,233 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns last season, will be <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/6915/nick-foles">Nick Foles</a> primary target on offense and could become a first or second round draft pick with a big season. Anything less than a big season would be a disappointment for Wildcat fans.</p>
<p>The newcomer to wide receiver is <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/texas-longhorns">Texas Longhorns</a> transfer <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37903/dan-buckner">Dan Buckner</a>. The junior, who sat out last season, has a monster frame at 6'5, 220 pounds and has the coaching staff drooling over his ability to catch the ball while running across the middle. It may take some time to get adjusted to the offense at game-speed, but Buckner has all of the talent to become a big weapon for the Arizona offense.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/35224/david-douglas">David Douglas</a> may not get the recognition others do, but he was as solid and consistent as they come last year. The senior-to-be grabbed 52 passes for 515 yards and five touchdowns last season and he'll look to improve those numbers with the increased number of options for Foles to pass to. For a team planning to throw the ball religiously, you can never have too many options to catch the ball.</p>
<p>Slot-receiver <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/8896/david-roberts">David Roberts</a> thrived in his role last season and will continue to be one of the primary targets for the quick screen and slant routes that Arizona features so predominately in their playbook. In addition to Roberts, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77414/terrence-miller">Terrence Miller</a> will also see time in the slot and plan to use his size to out-muscle linebackers who attempt to cover him.</p>
<p>While the names listed above all figure to see solid playing time this season, guys like <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77394/richard-morrison">Richard Morrison</a> and Austin Hill could have breakout seasons. Both had excellent summer and fall workouts. </p>
<p>For all of the uncertainty surrounding the running back position, the wide receiving unit comes in as steady as any in the country. Size, speed and skill; it's a common factor with each of the weapons Nick Foles and the Wildcats will have this season.</p>
<p><i>Stay tuned to SB Nation Arizona for complete preseason coverage of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/arizona-wildcats">Arizona Wildcats</a>. For more coverage, be sure to check out </i><a href="http://azdesertswarm.com" target="_blank">Arizona Desert Swarm</a>.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/2011/8/23/2378297/arizona-wildcats-football-juron-criner-dan-bucknerScott Coleman2011-08-22T07:01:11-07:002011-08-22T07:01:11-07:00Arizona Wildcats Football Preview: Keola Antolin, Ka'Deem Carey, And The Many Options At Running Back
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/arizona-wildcats">Arizona Wildcats</a> always seem to have talented, capable running backs in their backfield each season. Keeping those running backs healthy and productive throughout an entire season has proven to be an issue in recent years, though. </p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/8840/nic-grigsby">Nic Grigsby</a>, who was picked up by the Miami Dolphins, possessed unlimited levels of talent and skill while at UA, but he struggled to stay healthy after his breakout season in 2008. His durability issues paved the way for increased playing time for senior-to-be <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/35198/keola-antolin">Keola Antolin</a>, who has battled injury concerns himself the last two seasons. Big, bad, bruising tailback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/35200/greg-nwoko">Greg Nwoko</a> had flashes of brilliance last season, but he suffered a knee injury during summer workouts and will likely miss the entire 2011 season.</p>
<p>What would happen if Arizona was able to keep their running backs healthy for an entire season? The thought of having both a strong ground <i>and</i> air-attack is exciting just to think about.</p>
<p>Antolin will enter the season as the No. 1 guy for the Wildcats. There isn't too much doubt about that. If healthy, Antolin is capable of carrying an offense at times. Despite being undersized for the position, the feisty back out of Las Vegas uses his speed and quickness to his advantage while matched up against larger defenders. The aspect of his game that creates a larger dynamic for the offense is his ability to catch passes; 28 receptions, 204 yards and two touchdowns in 2010 is nothing to sneeze at and those numbers could improve with more reps and a field spread out by a bevy of talented wide receivers. Coach Stoops would be wise to utilize this part of his game.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, health will (once again) be the determining factor for Antolin's 2011 season. With injuries springing up throughout his career, Arizona fans will hold their collective breaths with every big hit he takes.</p>
<p>For as much as Antolin may represent the future of the running back position, Ka'Deem Carey represents even more of the future.</p>
<p>Carey, who is from Tucson and is one of Stoops' highest ranked recruits since taking over the program, projects to be the starting running back for a long time. Whether that first start comes a few weeks or not until 2012 remains to be seen, but rest assured he will in fact be the No. 1 option for a long time. The hype started to build after a phenomenal junior year in high school and his named continued to rise higher and higher up the rankings with each game.</p>
<p>If the buzz surrounding Carey wasn't big enough with just a few weeks remaining until the season kicks off, all reports indicated <a href="http://tucsoncitizen.com/wildcatreport/2011/08/20/kadeem-carey-shines-for-the-offense-in-arizonas-scrimmage/" target="_blank">he looked phenomenal in a scrimmage</a> that took place over the weekend. While it was <i>just </i>a scrimmage, something needs to be said for a true freshman to impress as much as he did.</p>
<p>Regardless if the primary starter is Antolin, Carey, or an under-the-radar guy such as Daniel Jenkins, all the Wildcats can hope for is production and health out of that player. For a program that has not had a consistent attack from the backfield since <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/6930/mike-bell">Mike Bell</a>'s days in the mid-2000's, it could really use it. A team can only throw the football so many times in a game.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/2011/8/22/2376640/arizona-wildcats-football-preview-keola-antolin-kadeem-careyScott Coleman2011-08-19T05:01:15-07:002011-08-19T05:01:15-07:00Arizona Wildcats Football Preview: Nick Foles And The Potential Dilemma At Quarterback
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<p>Let's get one thing out of the way: <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/6915/nick-foles">Nick Foles</a> is the unquestioned starting quarterback of this team and will be assuming he can stay healthy through the grind of the long season. There is no debating to this; it's as much of a sure thing as <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/8831/alex-zendejas">Alex Zendejas</a> missing at least one big kick in at least one big game or a bunch of frat boys getting drunk while tailgating. Coach Stoops knows exactly what he's going to get from No. 8 whenever he steps onto the field.</p>
<p>And how could there be any debate? Foles, who could become a first or second round draft pick with a big season, was excellent in 2010 before suffering a sprained knee. The senior-to-be threw for 3,191 yards and 20 touchdowns despite missing nearly three games and had an impressive QB rating of 140.9. That's getting the job done on an offense that sputtered at times due to injuries and inconsistent play.</p>
<p>Wildcat fans can only hope for fewer screen passes and slant routes in 2011. Foles has a cannon of an arm and he has the weapons at wideout to throw the ball deep. Wouldn't it be nice to <i>not</i> throw a screen pass to a running back when it's third and fifteen?</p>
<p>It may be a controversial theory, but throwing the ball forwards and not backwards typically leads to more yards and more points.</p>
<p>For all of the certainty with Foles, there are even bigger question marks behind him. As of today, the plan is to redshirt senior-to-be Matt Scott and have him take over the quarterback position as the full-time starter in 2012. Ideally, Foles stays healthy and productive all season, heads for the NFL and then hands the reigns to a guy who is more than capable of starting in Scott. Ideally, this happens. Ideally.</p>
<p>Here's a theoretical situation:</p>
<p>The Wildcats are trailing by three heading into the fourth quarter against Oregon. The entire stadium is sold out and it's a nationally televised game on ESPN. UA won a thriller against Stanford the previous week and is looking to knock off a top-10 team for the second consecutive week. The atmosphere is electric and hope is at an all-time high.</p>
<p>Nick Foles gets hurt. Hurt badly enough to not return to the game, and his status for the remainder of the season is unknown. He may miss a quarter, he may miss the rest of the season. No one knows and it's time for the fourth quarter to start.</p>
<p>Does Arizona burn Matt Scott's redshirt and play him with hopes to win the biggest game of the season? Do they turn to freshman <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/135336/daxx-garman">Daxx Garman</a>, who is yet to play a significant snap in his college career, on the national stage, with the game on the line? Do they have Foles hobble back onto the field and risk damaging the injured area even more?</p>
<p>These decisions could have a huge impact on not only this season but in seasons down the road, and Stoops and his staff will have about five minutes to decide. </p>
<p>Not that any of this will happen, but it could. It happened last year. And you can see why it could be a serious dilemma.</p>
<p>Let's all just hope Nick Foles stays healthy.</p>
<p>Oh, and that he finishes the season as a Heisman finalist as well. That would probably work best for all parties involved.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/2011/8/19/2372027/arizona-wildcats-football-preview-nick-foles-matt-scottScott Coleman2011-08-18T06:00:58-07:002011-08-18T06:00:58-07:00Arizona Wildcats Football: Previewing The Schedule, Part 2
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<p>The Wildcats schedule is brutal through the first five games. Fortunately for Mike Stoops and his staff, the upcoming games are much, much easier than the murder's row of teams they'll face early in the season. Let's take a look at those matchups:</p>
<p><b>@ Oregon State Beavers - Saturday, October 8, TBD</b></p>
<p>This will be the first Pac-12 game where Arizona will be the favorites. Junior quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37418/ryan-katz">Ryan Katz</a> made strides last season, but with a questionable offensive line and only one true go-to receiver -- James Rodgers -- it could be a long season. Star running back <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37413/jacquizz-rodgers">Jacquizz Rodgers</a> is gone and it is unclear who will get the majority of the reps.</p>
<p>The Beavers will also be a little questionable on the defensive end of the field. Only four starters return on a unit that struggled last season. It will not be an easy victory in Corvallis, but a loss to Oregon State would be the first true upset of the year for the Wildcats.</p>
<p><b><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/ucla-bruins">UCLA Bruins</a> - Thursday, October 20, 6pm</b></p>
<p>A Thursday night game that will be a national broadcast on ESPN, this will be a big game for the Wildcats. Similar to the Oregon State game the previous week, this is a game where the Cats should be pretty heavy favorites. Despite always recruiting well, UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel has been unable to get results on the field and his job is probably in jeopardy if he does not make a bowl game.</p>
<p>The Bruins do not have a starting quarterback at the moments and have questions all along the offensive line. The run game should be strong, but not enough to carry the team down the field consistently. Arizona's offense should be able to move the football against a weak secondary in route to a fairly easy victory.</p>
<p><b>@ <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/washington-huskies">Washington Huskies</a> - Saturday, October 29, TBD</b></p>
<p>The Huskies go into 2011 as a team with more questions than answers both offensively and defensively. Star quarterback Jack Locker is gone to the NFL and he will be replaced by <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/86098/keith-price">Keith Price</a>, who has never started a game. Most of his targets also remain unproven, though head coach Steve Sarkisian has been able to assemble strong recruiting classes to help build up the program.</p>
<p>Defensively, while UW remains solid in the secondary, their front seven was hit hard by the running game and coverage on short-yardage situations was an issue. That will have to improve if they hope to win against the Wildcats. Arizona typically struggles when they travel north to Seattle, but this is also a game they should take with relative ease.</p>
<p><b><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/utah-utes">Utah Utes</a> - Saturday, November 5, TBD</b></p>
<p>Ah, our first new member of the Pac-12. Welcome to the big times, you guys. </p>
<p>Utah is rumored to have scrapped their playbook from previous seasons now that they have joined the new conference and will go with a more traditional offense instead of the spread they implemented the last few seasons. Junior quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77654/jordan-wynn">Jordan Wynn</a> had a solid campaign last season and will look to build from that. The Utes lost their two top-running backs and No. 1 receiver and they will need others to step up to fill the voids on offense.</p>
<p>While the defense is never too strong, Utah seemingly always finds a way to hold opposing offenses down until their West Coast attack can go to work. This will be a big battle at Arizona Stadium and the Wildcats need to win if they hope to win the North.</p>
<p><b>@ <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/colorado-buffaloes">Colorado Buffaloes</a> - Saturday, November 12, TBD</b></p>
<p>Hey! It's our other newest conference mate! </p>
<p>The Buffaloes are probably happy to be out of the Big 12. A program that has been supposed to break out for the last decade or so has done anything but that, though they did play better after the firing of Dan Hawkins. Current head coach Jon Embree will look to build on a solid second half of the 2010 season, though he does not have much to work with.</p>
<p>Quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/35782/tyler-hansen">Tyler Hansen</a>, a senior, had a high completion rate last season at 68 percent, though most of these came on slants and screen passes. The main weapon on offense, running back <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/35791/rodney-stewart">Rodney Stewart</a>, runs the football with the best of them, though injuries have plagued the senior in the past.</p>
<p>The defense projects to be among the worst in the conference and will ultimately keep the Buffaloes out of most game. Despite having to travel to Colorado for the first time, the Wildcats should be able to bring home the victory.</p>
<p><b>@ Arizona State Sun Devils - Saturday, November 19, TBD</b></p>
<p>The Wildcats will wrap their Pac-12 season up in Tempe as they take on the Sun Devils and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/8831/alex-zendejas">Alex Zendejas</a> in a game that could have serious implications on the conference title game.</p>
<p>The Devils are a team with high expectations this upcoming year. Despite suffering multiple injuries in training camp, ASU could make some noise, especially with nearly every starter back from last season. The offense's production will hinge on <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77503/brock-osweiler">Brock Osweiler</a>'s arm, and if his production after becoming the full-time starter last season is any indication, the Sun Devils will be in good hands.</p>
<p>The defense projects to be one of the strongest in the conference and ASU will lean on it all year long. It remains to be seen if all of the potential and hype will translate to the field, though it is for certain that the battle between the two rivals will have big implications on the conference race. </p>
<p><b>Louisiana-Lafayette - Saturday, November 26, TBD</b></p>
<p>Well, at least the Wildcats won't end the regular season with a loss.</p>
<p>I honestly cannot tell you how Louisiana-Lafayette was scheduled for senior night, but it happened. Arizona should win by a lot.</p>
<p><i>Stay tuned to SB Nation Arizona for a complete preview of the Wildcats upcoming football season. For more coverage of the Cats, be sure to check out </i><a href="http://azdesertswarm.com" target="_blank">AZ Desert Swarm.</a></p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/2011/8/18/2369923/arizona-wildcats-football-preview-scheduleScott Coleman2011-08-15T08:00:53-07:002011-08-15T08:00:53-07:00Arizona Wildcats Football Preview: Previewing The Schedule, Part 1
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<p>Everything you need to get ready for the upcoming football season and it's all in one place. Schedule analysis, player breakdowns, potential breakout candidates, burning questions and more.</p> <p>The 2010 football season was a wild one for the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/arizona-wildcats" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Wildcats</a>. After knocking off the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/iowa-hawkeyes" class="sbn-auto-link">Iowa Hawkeyes</a> in a wild, nationally televised game, many had started to wonder if it was the season the team would finally make the Rose Bowl. Armed with a quarterback as accurate as any in the game, a set of talented wide receivers, and a defense led primarily by upperclassmen, there was plenty of reason to be excited.</p>
<p>And then the wheels fell off.</p>
<p>The team started off strong at 4-0 before suffering a hiccup against the Oregon State Beavers at home. While some of the momentum previously gained was lost, the Wildcats came back to win their next three games to move them to 7-1 on the season. The only problem was they hadn't exactly played the upper echelon of the Pac 10 and instead feasted on the weaker teams in the conference.</p>
<p>The rest of the way was not pretty; <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/6915/nick-foles" class="sbn-auto-link">Nick Foles</a> was injured and the team was torn to shreds by <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37738/andrew-luck" class="sbn-auto-link">Andrew Luck</a> and the Cardinal. They fell at home to a motivated USC team and then (understandably) fell to the No. 1 ranked <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/oregon-ducks" class="sbn-auto-link">Oregon Ducks</a>. And then who could forget when <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/8831/alex-zendejas" class="sbn-auto-link">Alex Zendejas</a> went all Alex Zendejas on the Cats when they fell to the Arizona State Sun Devils in a crushing 30-29 defeat? The bowl game against Oklahoma State wasn't exactly pretty, either.</p>
<p>Fortunately for Arizona, it's a new season with a clean slate. They have not won a football game since October 30, but again, all of the bad that happened last year no longer matters.</p>
<p><b>2011 Schedule Breakdown, Part 1:</b></p>
<p><b><i>Northern Arizona Lumberjacks - Saturday, September 3, 6pm</i></b></p>
<p>The Wildcats will be favored in one game until October 19. This is that game, and all of the kinks will need to be worked out against the Lumberjacks as head coach Mike Stoops and his staff try to prepare their team for the brutal stretch that follows.</p>
<p>Expect Arizona to come out rusty for the first game of the season, but the Cats should have this game in hand by halftime. No offense to the Lumberjacks, but they aren't exactly very good. Look for them to break out a trick play or two to steal a couple of points early, but Arizona's talent and skill will eventually win out.</p>
<p><b><i>@ Oklahoma State Cowboys - Thursday, September 8, 5pm</i></b></p>
<p>I told you the stretch of schedule was brutal after the first week. This is just the start.</p>
<p>The Cowboys, who dismantled Arizona in the 2010 Alamo Bowl, have most of their fire power back from an offense that was among the best in college football last season. With a raucous crowd in front of a nationally televised, primetime game, it's tough to see the Cats pulling out a victory, though a shootout is expected.</p>
<p>The key will be to cover (or at least slow down) superstar wide receiver <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37330/justin-blackmon" class="sbn-auto-link">Justin Blackmon</a>, who torched the secondary in the bowl game. <i>Hint to coach Stoops: Don't try to single-cover him like we did last year. </i>It's not just Blackmon the Wildcats will have to be concerned with; 27-year old quarterback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/8399/brandon-weeden" class="sbn-auto-link">Brandon Weeden</a> will be a Heisman candidate and despite losing <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/8426/kendall-hunter" class="sbn-auto-link">Kendall Hunter</a> to the NFL the Cowboys always seem to find a talented running back or two to complement their pass attack.</p>
<p><b><i><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/stanford-cardinal" class="sbn-auto-link">Stanford Cardinal</a> - Saturday, September 17, 6:45pm</i></b></p>
<p>The stretch of top-10 teams continues with the Stanford Cardinal, who are led by all-everything quarterback Andrew Luck.</p>
<p>The Cardinal will be a juggernaut offensively, though they do have to deal with a lot of turnover on the coaching staff -- including head coach Jim Harbaugh who bolted for the NFL -- as well as on defense. Outside of Luck, junior running back <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77863/stepfan-taylor" class="sbn-auto-link">Stepfan Taylor</a> rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season and balances out the offense nicely. There are a few questions surrounding Stanford's wide receivers, but all they have to do is get a little bit of separation for Luck to find them.</p>
<p>Arizona Stadium will be sold-out and the Zona Zoo will be in full force for the first Pac 12 game of the year, and while an upset is possible, the Cats will have to be firing on all cylinders to come away with the victory.</p>
<p><b><i>Oregon Ducks - Saturday, September 24, 6:15pm</i></b></p>
<p>Hey, we've already played two national championship contenders, why not go for the trifecta, right?</p>
<p>The Oregon Ducks and their inevitable recruiting violations will head down to Arizona Stadium in what will be back-to-back games with huge implications for the Wildcats. The Ducks, who fell a field goal short of winning the national championship last season, return quite a few of their starters, though there were a few departures.</p>
<p>The Ducks come at you in every way imaginable on offense. Dual-threat quarterback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37379/darron-thomas" class="sbn-auto-link">Darron Thomas</a> can burn a defense with his arm and his legs, though accuracy and decision making have been an issue in the past. Running back <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37388/lamichael-james" class="sbn-auto-link">LaMichael James</a> thinks it's cool to break conference rushing records and he'll probably be breaking a few more this season. Oregon will be a little thin at wide receiver, but they load their roster with freak-of-nature athletes who will likely be able to fill in nicely for head coach Chip Kelly. </p>
<p>Similar to the Stanford game, this is a winnable game for Arizona simply because they're at home, but don't expect too much. The defense will have the best game of their collective lives if they hope to slow down the Ducks.</p>
<p><i><b>@ <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/usc-trojans" class="sbn-auto-link">USC Trojans</a> - Saturday, October 1, TBD</b></i></p>
<p>Yes! A team that isn't ranked in the top-10 to start the season!</p>
<p>Wait, what? They might be the best team in the division? And we have to play on the road? Fantastic.</p>
<p>The Trojans may still be ineligible for the postseason, but they are regaining a lot of the talent that has been lost since their national championship days a few seasons ago. Two-year starter <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78123/matt-barkley" class="sbn-auto-link">Matt Barkley</a> is back to try and prove himself to be one of the best quarterbacks in the nation and has a bevy of talented weapons in the backfield behind him. The loss of all-conference receiver Ronald Johnson will hurt and take some time to adjusting to, but the Trojans should have capable targets for Barkley to hit.</p>
<p>Arizona and USC always seem to have great games against each other and the road team has won the battle the last three seasons. Don't expect anything different this time around.</p>
<p><i>This is the first part of a complete preview of the 2011 Arizona Wildcats. Stay tuned to SB Nation Arizona for further coverage. For more UA coverage, be sure to check out </i><i><a target="_blank" href="http://azdesertswarm.com">AZ Desert Swarm</a>.</i></p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-wildcats/2011/8/15/2363247/arizona-wildcats-preview-college-football-nick-foles-juron-crinerScott Coleman