Arizona's 2019 schedule breakdown: More byes, new challenges for Kevin Sumlin's Cats in Year 2

The Arizona Wildcats’ 2019 schedule is unorthodox to say the least.

Every team in college football has two byes this season; Arizona has three.

The UA opens the season in “Week Zero” at Hawaii — and doesn’t play another road game until October.

The schedule is backloaded, featuring four road games over the second half of the season. After hosting defending Pac-12 champion Washington to conclude the first half, Arizona visits USC and Stanford in back-to-back weeks.

The final bye comes in November and precedes a killer closing stretch.

Here’s a week-by-week breakdown of the Wildcats’ 2019 schedule:

When: Aug. 24, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Aloha Stadium (capacity: 50,000), Honolulu

TV: CBS Sports Network

What to expect: Emotion and offensive fireworks. The opener just so happens to pit the two schools the late Dick Tomey coached for the bulk of his career. He’ll undoubtedly be honored beforehand. Don’t expect a Tomey-esque, low-scoring, field-position duel once the game gets underway. Both teams scored and allowed more than 30 points per game last season. The Rainbow Warriors are coming off an 8-6 campaign, their first above-.500 finish since 2010. They also return the majority of their starters on both sides of the ball.

Player to watch: WR Cedric Byrd II. The senior should be prolific quarterback Cole McDonald’s top receiver, succeeding John Ursua in that role. Ursua led the nation with 16 TD receptions last season and became a seventh-round draft pick of the Seattle Seahawks. Byrd finished with 79 catches, 970 yards and nine TDs, and he’s the Mountain West’s returning leader in all three categories. Byrd attended Narbonne High School in Los Angeles, where ex-UA tight end Brandon Manumaleuna is the offensive coordinator. Current UA linebacker Anthony Pandy also attended Narbonne.

All time: The schools have played each other five times, with Arizona having won all five meetings. The most recent came on Sept. 17, 2016, when the Wildcats defeated the Rainbow Warriors 47-28 in Tucson.

When: Sept. 7, 7:45 p.m.

Where: Arizona Stadium

TV: Pac-12 Networks

What to expect: The Wildcats will have had a week off to regain their bearings and should have at least some answers to lingering personnel questions entering their home opener. If the game is as one-sided as recent meetings have been, Arizona will have an opportunity to give plenty of young players some live snaps. UA coach Kevin Sumlin last season took full advantage of the new redshirt rule, which allows players who haven’t previously redshirted to play in up to four games without losing a year of eligibility.

Player to watch: QB Case Cookus. The senior has 7,968 passing yards and 74 TD passes in his career and has chance to leave NAU as the school’s all-time leader in both categories. Cookus made the preseason watch list for the Walter Payton Award, presented to the FCS offensive player of the year. After making first-team All-Big Sky in 2017, Cookus missed all but two games last season because of a broken collarbone. Cookus passes for 306 yards with two interceptions in the ’17 opener against Arizona.

All time: The Wildcats lead the all-time series 14-1. The Lumberjacks’ lone victory came in 1932 by a score of 7-6. The past two meetings have been offensive showcases for Arizona, which has amassed an astonishing 139 points

When: Sept. 14, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Arizona Stadium

TV: ESPN

What to expect: A year ago, this looked like a potential matchup between Sumlin and his protégé, Kliff Kingsbury. But Tech fired Kingsbury in late November and replaced him with Matt Wells, who guided Utah State to five bowl berths in six seasons. Wells’ Aggies ranked second in the nation in scoring last season, so don’t expect the Red Raiders to slow the pace. His biggest challenge is fixing Tech’s defense. Texas Tech is Arizona’s first non-conference opponent from a Power Five league since Oklahoma State in 2012.

Player to watch: QB Alan Bowman. Bowman had a prolific freshman year despite missing the final 3½ games because of a collapsed lung (from which he has fully recovered). Bowman threw for 2,638 yards with 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions in eight games, including seven starts. His 69.4% completion rate was Tech’s highest since 2012. His 605 passing yards against Houston were the fifth most in Tech history and the most by a freshman in Big 12 annals. The record had been held by Tech’s Patrick Mahomes.

All time: Texas Tech and Arizona have faced each other 32 times but haven’t met since 1989. The Red Raiders lead the series 26-4-2. The Wildcats are slated to visit Lubbock on Sept. 19, 2020, to complete the home-and-home contract.

When: Sept 28, time TBA

Where: Arizona Stadium

TV: TBA

What to expect: Arizona gets its second bye after the Texas Tech game, giving Sumlin and his staff another chance to reset and re-evaluate entering Pac-12 play. If everything breaks right, the Wildcats will be 3-0 heading into this game, and the buzz around the program will be palpable. The worst-case scenario is a repeat of last year’s 1-2 start, which prevented Sumlin from generating any early momentum. Either way, the UA should be highly motivated after suffering a heartbreaking one-point loss at UCLA last year.

Player to watch: CB Darnay Holmes. The junior led UCLA with 11 pass breakups and three interceptions last season while returning a pick for a touchdown and a kickoff for a score. He also made the signature play in last year’s game against Arizona. Holmes chased down J.J. Taylor just before he reached the goal line, caused him to fumble and recovered the ball in the end zone. Holmes turned a would-be 56-yard touchdown for the Wildcats into a touchback for the Bruins.

All time: UCLA leads the series 25-16-2 and has dominated it for most of this decade. The Bruins have won six of the past seven meetings. The lone exception: Arizona’s 47-30 victory in 2017.

When: Oct. 5, time TBA

Where: Folsom Field (capacity: 53,613), Boulder

TV: TBA

What to expect: Almost exactly two years earlier, Khalil Tate became an overnight sensation by coming off the bench to torch the Buffaloes for a record 327 rushing yards in an unforgettable 45-42 UA victory. By this point in the season, we should know how much and how well Tate is running and performing. We also should have some idea what Colorado will be like under new coach Mel Tucker, who took over for the fired Mike MacIntyre. The media picked the Buffs to finish last in the Pac-12 South.

Player to watch: WR Laviska Shenault Jr. Shenault might be the most underrated player in America, although the secret appears to have gotten out. He made several preseason All-America lists after catching 86 passes for 1,011 yards and six touchdowns in nine games. Shenault also rushed for 118 yards and five scores. One of the contests he missed because of injury was the Arizona game. At 6-2, 220 pounds, Shenault will present a serious challenge to what should be a better, deeper UA secondary.

All time: The Buffs lead the series 14-7, but it has swung in the Wildcats’ favor in recent years. Since Colorado joined the Pac-12, Arizona has won seven of nine meetings. The Wildcats also have won three straight in Boulder.

When: Oct. 12, time TBA

Where: Arizona Stadium

TV: TBA

What to expect: This is where the hardest part of Arizona’s schedule begins. The Huskies won the conference last year and are among the favorites this year. They’ve won 10 or more games three straight seasons under Chris Petersen, sending a boatload of players to the NFL. Arizona might be catching UW at the right time, though. The Huskies visit Stanford the previous week before hosting Oregon the following week. UW has to replace most of its starting defense, but it’s more of a reloading exercise than a rebuilding project.

Player to watch: QB Jacob Eason. Will the Georgia transfer upgrade the position and elevate the Huskies to an even higher level? That’s the hope in Seattle. Eason was a five-star prospect coming out of Lake Stevens, Washington. He started 12 games for the Bulldogs as a freshman in 2016, throwing for 2,430 yards with 16 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He began the following season as the starter before getting hurt and ceding the job to Jake Fromm. Eason sat out 2018. He has ideal measurables at 6-6, 227.

All time: The teams haven’t met since 2016. UW leads the series 21-11-1 and has won three of the past four meetings. The Wildcats took the heavily favored Huskies to overtime in ’16 before falling 35-28.

When: Oct. 19, time TBA

Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (capacity: 77,500), Los Angeles

TV: TBA

What to expect: The second half of the schedule starts against a program facing a crossroads season. No Pac-12 coach is under more scrutiny than Clay Helton, who’s gambling on Graham Harrell’s expertise in the Air Raid offense to spark the Trojans. USC faces a gauntlet in its first six games and will be coming off a trip to Notre Dame. How the Trojans are faring at this point will determine how engaged the crowd is. Assuming Tate is healthy, this will be his last chance to play in his hometown.

Player to watch: WR Amon-Ra St. Brown. Take your pick among USC’s supremely talented receivers; as a group, they’re unrivaled in the Pac-12 and rank among the nation’s best. As a freshman, St. Brown had a team-high 60 receptions, good for 750 yards and three touchdowns. He led the Trojans with five catches for 54 yards in last year’s game at Arizona. USC had almost twice as many rushing attempts as passing attempts in that game; that’s unlikely to be the case again with the Air Raid coming to L.A.

All time: USC leads the series 34-8 and hasn’t lost to Arizona since 2012. The Wildcats have played the Trojans close for the most part, with 10 of the past 12 meetings decided by eight or fewer points.

When: Oct. 26, time TBA

Where: Stanford Stadium (capacity: 50,000), Stanford, Calif.

TV: TBA

What to expect: One week later, the Wildcats are going back to Cali to resume their series with the Cardinal. When last they played, Stanford was known for its dominant offensive line and run game. The Cardinal shockingly fell to 123rd in the nation in rushing last season. David Shaw has made rediscovering that identity a mandate this offseason. Whether it happens or not, Arizona will have to deal with another top-shelf quarterback in KJ Costello, who threw for 3,540 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2018.

Player to watch: TE Colby Parkinson. Jump-ball master JJ Arcega-Whiteside and his 14 TD receptions are gone. But Parkinson – the latest in a long line of physically imposing, NFL-caliber Stanford tight ends - is back. Parkinson is listed at 6-7, 251. Nearly a quarter of his receptions last season – 7 of 29 – went for touchdowns. He also averaged 16.7 yards per catch. Arizona doesn’t face many players like Parkinson, so it’ll be a major adjustment. None of the Wildcats’ safeties or off-the-ball linebackers is taller than 6-2.

All time: The teams last met in 2016. Stanford leads the series 16-14, but it’s been all Cardinal in recent years. Stanford has won the past five matchups – four by at least 24 points.

When: Nov. 2, time TBA

Where: Arizona Stadium

TV: TBA

What to expect: Not that any Pac-12 opponent is a pushover, but on paper, the Beavers represent the break the Wildcats need. The game is in Tucson, and OSU is in the throes of a complete rebuild. It’s impossible to say what Arizona’s record will be at this juncture. But it’s safe to say it’s a game the Wildcats must win. It’s also a pretty safe bet that they’ll lean heavily on their run game after rushing for nearly 1,000 yards in the past two meetings with the Beavers.

Player to watch: RB Jermar Jefferson. The cupboard is far from bare on the offensive side for OSU. Jefferson was the Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year and made multiple Freshman All-America teams after rushing for 1,380 yards. Jefferson averaged 5.8 yards per carry and gained 254 yards against Arizona State, the second-highest rushing total in school history. Arizona kept Jefferson in check, limiting him to 82 yards on 19 attempts. It was one of only five games in which Jefferson failed to eclipse 100 yards.

All time: Arizona leads the series 24-15-1 and has won three of the past four meetings. In each of the past six matchups, the team that has won the ground battle has won the game.

When: Nov. 16, time TBA

Where: Autzen Stadium (capacity: 54,000), Eugene

TV: TBA

What to expect: The Wildcats will have played six straight weeks before their third and final bye, a much-needed breather entering the final quarter of the season. Oregon also comes off a bye. The Ducks are at worst co-favorites to win the Pac-12 North. They already will have faced division rivals Stanford, Washington and Washington State at this point. But motivation shouldn’t be a problem: Oregon will be hellbent on avenging last year’s lopsided loss in Tucson in which star QB Justin Herbert and just about every other Duck struggled.

Player to watch: LB Troy Dye. Dye truly has been a constant presence for the Oregon defense. He is the only Power Five player returning in 2019 to lead his team in tackles each of the previous three seasons. He’s also only the second Duck to lead the team in stops three straight years. Dye notched a career-best 13 solo tackles in last season’s meeting. He has started 33 consecutive games, playing for three head coaches over that span: Mark Helfrich, Willie Taggert and Mario Cristobal.

All time: Oregon leads the series 26-17. Arizona has won three of the past five meetings. The Ducks were ranked each time, twice in the top five. The Wildcats have lost four of their past visits to Autzen.

When: Nov. 23, time TBA

Where: Arizona Stadium

TV: TBA

What to expect: The Utes are favored to win the South Division. They have a manageable schedule – four conference road games, no Oregon or Stanford – and should come to Tucson with a national ranking and a chance to achieve something significant. Sound familiar? Utah was ranked 10th and leading the South when it visited Arizona for the Wildcats’ penultimate game in 2015. The Cats upset the Utes 37-30 in double overtime. That victory clinched a bowl berth for Arizona. This season could play out similarly.

Player to watch: DE Bradlee Anae. The senior is the leader of one of the best defensive lines in the country. Anae led the Utes and the Pac-12 last season with eight sacks, accounting for just over half of his 15.5 total tackles for losses. Anae’s 17 career sacks are tied for 11th most in school history. He also has forced five fumbles over the past two seasons. Utah led the Pac-12 in run defense and ranked second in total defense and points allowed last year.

All time: The Utes lead a series marked by streaks 23-19-2. Utah has won the past three meetings, including last year’s 42-10 wipeout in Salt Lake City. Arizona had won the previous four matchups.

When: Nov. 30, time TBA

Where: Sun Devil Stadium (capacity: 53,599), Tempe

TV: ABC, ESPN or ESPN2

What to expect: As is typically the case, bowl berths – or something bigger – could be at stake when the Territorial Cup rivalry is renewed. ASU should have its quarterback situation figured out by this point after entering the season with uncertainty at that spot. Whoever it is will hand the ball often to star tailback Eno Benjamin, who scored three touchdowns in the Sun Devils’ comeback win last year in Tucson. ASU already has an identity under Herm Edwards; Arizona is still seeking one under Sumlin.

Player to watch: S Aashari Crosswell. The then-freshman made the critical interception in last season’s matchup, picking off Tate in the fourth quarter. Tate wasn’t the first quarterback Crosswell victimized. He finished his rookie season with four interceptions in ASU’s final five games. Crosswell played at Long Beach Poly under former UA linebacker Antonio Pierce, whom Edwards hired as the Sun Devils’ linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator. ASU has six players from Poly. Arizona has one: starting defensive lineman JB Brown.

All time: Arizona leads the series 49-42-1. But ASU has had the edge of late, winning six of the past nine meetings. The Wildcats have lost the past two despite holding the lead in the third quarter each time.