Here are three things to watch in Saturday’s Arizona-Washington State game in Pullman (1 p.m., Pac-12 Networks), plus a score prediction and some pertinent preview links:
1. THE QB DYNAMIC
Here we go again: Yet another week of uncertainty at the quarterback position. Brandon Dawkins and Anu Solomon are listed as “co-starters” on the depth chart, because, well, of course they are. Both played last week. Will Rich Rodriguez handle it the same way at Martin Stadium? I predicted earlier in the week that Solomon would start; that’s still a possibility. In terms of their playing styles, it makes more sense for Solomon to start and Dawkins to be the changeup; the latter is a much more dynamic runner. Regardless of who starts and how it all works, Arizona must get better play from the quarterback position. I chronicled some of the issues here. The Wildcats have to score – a lot – in this matchup to have any chance of winning. Washington State averages 39.8 points per game, Arizona just 24.1.
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2. DEFENSIVE ADJUSTMENTS
In Belichickian fashion, Marcel Yates is having to alter his scheme on a weekly basis because Arizona’s opponents all feature such different offenses. After the UA used a five-man defensive line at times against Stanford last week, look for the equivalent of a dime package this week. Yates hinted at a new role for safety Tellas Jones; expect him to be around the line of scrimmage even more than usual. In last year’s matchup – which didn’t exactly go swimmingly for Arizona – the Wildcats’ starting lineup featured a 3-2-6 look. Will Parks started at “linebacker” alongside Paul Magloire Jr. and DeAndre’ Miller. You give up a little size by subbing a safety for a linebacker, but it’s the best way to counteract the Cougars’ pass-heavy spread attack. If Jones does indeed slide into a rover role, expect freshman safety Tristan Cooper to see significant playing time. Ideally you’d want a third cornerback, but with DaVonte’ Neal questionable and little depth there, this is the more likely setup.
3. FIGHT TO THE FINISH?
The quarterback situation is intriguing. Yates’ manic defense is fun to watch. But more important than any of that is whether the Wildcats still have the fight to string together four good quarters. It hasn’t happened very often this season, and it becomes that much more challenging when the stakes become less significant. Rodriguez’s comments after the Stanford game – about seeking players who “give a crap” – were interesting. He seemed to be implying that not all of them do, which would be a problem. After talking to several players this week, I didn’t get the sense that interest was waning to any degree. They still seemed resolute. “It’s rough,” cornerback Jace Whittaker said of Arizona’s current plight. “There’s nothing worse than losing. That mood is definitely in the locker room, and we’re tired of it.” The question is, are they capable of doing something about it?
FINAL SCORE: Washington State 35, Arizona 24
PREVIEW LINKS:
