UA football: 5 players/positions to watch tonight

The 6-2 Wildcats will look to take care of the 2-7 Buffaloes before a tough three-game stretch to end the season. 

Here are five players and positions to watch tonight:

1. Running backs: Arizona wants to re-establish its run game today in a big way. Colorado ranks last in the Pac-12 in rush defense, so it’s a good time to get it started again for the Wildcats. The UA has been held below 100 rushing yards two of the last three games after seeing it happen just once in coach Rich Rodriguez’s first 31 games. Rodriguez said this week freshman Nick Wilson is getting close to 100 percent healthy and should be as effective today as he has been in several weeks. Terris Jones-Grigsby is also healthy and the UA offensive line is dealing with fewer injuries than it had been. Wilson and Jones-Grigsby are the two most important UA players tonight. If the Wildcats struggle to get the run game going against the Buffs, it could spell some long-term issues for the UA, which relies heavily on the run.

2. Cornerbacks: The UA will most likely be without Jarvis McCall for a second straight week tonight. The redshirt freshman is listed as questionable, but it would be a surprise to see him play while he continues to battle a shoulder injury. Jonathan McKnight and Cam Denson will have their hands full with Colorado’s receivers. Led by Nelson Spruce, the Buffs receivers might be the best unit on the team. Spruce isn’t the only guy who can make plays. Shay Fields, D.D. Goodson, Bryce Bobo and Tyler McCulloch are all also dangerous and can make plays. Denson, save for the 70-yard touchdown to Jordan Payton, played well in his first start last week at the Rose Bowl. He’ll look to build on that today. McKnight has been solid and will have to pick his play up even more if McCall does in fact sit out.

3. Anu Solomon: He’ll likely be on this list every week from here on out. He’s so critical to what Arizona does offensively and could use a big game to get his confidence back on track after a shaky performance last week. It’s critical for the Wildcats that Solomon find his legs tonight and start becoming more of a running threat. In the UA’s two losses, Solomon has exactly one rushing yard. There’s no question Rodriguez’s offense works better when the quarterback is running. Also look for Solomon to take some more chances downfield and get that portion of UA’s offense rolling again. Solomon is still way ahead of the curve for a redshirt freshman, but with a critical stretch upcoming against Washington, Utah and ASU, he could use a big game tonight.

4. Tra’Mayne Bondurant: The UA defense is totally different without him. Last week, it looked like the plan was to give him the night off and let him heal from a knee injury. But when safety Jourdon Grandon was ejected for targeting in the first half, Bondurant was forced to play. It was easy to tell he wasn’t 100 percent and wasn’t nearly as effective as he is when he’s healthy. He wasn’t in a green or yellow jersey this week in practice, but didn’t do much. His name wasn’t on the injury report, but it’s still fair to wonder if he’ll play and if he does, how effective he will be. But against a pass-happy team like Colorado, the Wildcats need Bondurant in there and need him to make plays, not just occupy a spot.

5. Offensive tackles: Left tackle Mickey Baucus is probable with a knee injury, that kept him out for most of the UCLA game. It was clear to tell the UA offensive line wasn’t nearly as good when Baucus was out. Not only does he hold down the left tackle spot — maybe the most critical spot on the line — but he’s also one of the leaders on that line and others look to him during tough times. It’s vital for the UA he plays. On the other side, Fabbians Ebbele, like most of the other linemen didn’t have his best game last season. Look for him to pick it back up this week and take some pressure off of some of the UA’s other linemen. Both Baucus and Ebbele need strong sides to allow Solomon to sling it and not rush his throws and timing.