2022 Season Thread

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[azcat49]

You can definitely see we are bigger and more athletic. The OLine looks pretty good and the WR group is so much better.

You can also see that DeLaura, McCloud and Fafita are light years better than Cruz or Plummer

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[Merkin]

Sam has great hands!

I bet those players could still go out there and give the current Cats a good game.

[AV8RCAT]

3 wins is loser talk. 4 minimum.

[84Cat]

[AV8RCAT]

Tate could be bitter about his last 2 years, instead, he comes back and gets behind the program.
I pronounce him "Wildcat Legend."

Fisch reaches out to Alumni from all eras. "We want you to be a part of what we are building"
A good step in branding UA as a program with traditions.

I can't see someone who is doing so many obvious but brilliant things, failing to have success.

I feel like he is building something that will last beyond his tenure here. If he does leave in a couple of years, I envy his successor.

[azcat49]

Looks like most are picking us to win 4 games next season. Here is some talk on all the teams O/U win totals

https://saturdayoutwest.com/pac-12/pac- ... -team/amp/

[UAEebs86]

2026 so I didn't want to start a new thread:

[scumdevils86]

Jesus Christ.

[UAEebs86]

[Merkin]

I have been waiting 41 years since I was a freshman at the UA for a Rose Bowl appearance. This pretty much guarantees that it won't happen in my lifetime.

[azcat49]

Next move is to go to 8 games and boost our conference RPI.

The conference will find it easier to manipulate that schedule and try and get two top 10 teams in the mix. The SEC is masters at doing this

[UAEebs86]

[azcat49]

Wow that is a bit of a surprise. Wonder why?

[Merkin]

Pull his scholarship. That's not fair to the program at all.

[TheCatInTheHat]

On my very unofficial depth chart, our base offense lines up three wideouts. Based on guesswork, hearsay, and personal preference, I show it as:

1): Cowing, McMillan, Simpson
2): Singer, Jones, Green
3): Joiner, Smith, +?

Note that Joiner is coming off a surgery (so maybe he's a starter if 100%, but erring on the side of being conservative here), and Gavin Smith is a non-rated 5-11 freshman recruit from the Phoenix area. We're talking about relying extensively on two true freshmen (who at least were here for spring ball), and having two true freshmen as key backups. And our best receiver will wear a target as a punt returner. Maybe I'm forgetting about somebody, but not good if we can't go three deep at WR.

[84Cat]

[TheCatInTheHat]

It's funny; they've got the rolls of field turf in the parking lot on the northwest side of the stadium. Looks like a massive sale of used carpet. I assume they'll use the opportunity to do some manner of re-branding. I like the end zones and the Block A on the 50, but a little less enthusiastic for the "ghost" Bear Down. We'll see what, if anything, they come up with.

[Carcassdragger]

It's funny; they've got the rolls of field turf in the parking lot on the northwest side of the stadium. Looks like a massive sale of used carpet. I assume they'll use the opportunity to do some manner of re-branding. I like the end zones and the Block A on the 50, but a little less enthusiastic for the "ghost" Bear Down. We'll see what, if anything, they come up with.

Funny, I was hoping for a new look for the Arizona in the end zones and was hoping to keep the ghost Bear Down.

[UAEebs86]

[UAEebs86]

[Merkin]

Arizona is -6.5 v. SDSU.

ND State is just coming off of the FCS championship last season.

[azcat49]

Not sure where we get the wins but I do think we show improvement and get to 3 or 4 wins.

The SEC really struggles when they come west and that should be an electric crowd.

We should beat CU and have a chance against CAL and Washington St at home.

Just need to see some improvement in the W/L record and keep this thing rolling

[ASUHATER!]

Anything more than 3 wins is cause for coach of the year talk and it's hard to even pick out 3 on the schedule but I think we do 3.

[Carcassdragger]

Bet the under. 2 wins. It's a show me year. Until shown different, we still suck.

Bad.

[azcat49]

I understand your reasoning CD but I will take your action if you want. I’m all in brother

[AzCatFan2]

We've improved the talent, but much of it still very young. A bigger question is has the coaching improved? Not on the D side, with the loss of Don Brown. I also don't trust Jedd Fisch during game situations at all. Showed nothing last year. Maybe it was the lack of talent? But a better coach beats NAU and UW in my opinion. So unfortunately I agree. If I were a betting man, I'd take the under.

[azcat49]

I think the loss of Don Brown is way overrated. We got 6 turnovers last year. Playing man yo man doesn’t allow you to keep your eyes on the QB and limits interception opportunities. We will play more zone this year and it should allow us to turn the other team over more.

We all know how bad our QB play was. We moved it great between the 20’s but stalled far to often in the red zone. We can’t be that bad again can we?

[UAEebs86]

I think the loss of Don Brown is way overrated. We got 6 turnovers last year. Playing man yo man doesn’t allow you to keep your eyes on the QB and limits interception opportunities. We will play more zone this year and it should allow us to turn the other team over more.

We all know how bad our QB play was. We moved it great between the 20’s but stalled far to often in the red zone. We can’t be that bad again can we?

I think the thinking is the team will be better, but the schedule is brutal. No easy wins like NAU LOL

[Merkin]

I also don't trust Jedd Fisch during game situations at all. Showed nothing last year.

I agree. Just awful play calling all around.

For example going for 2 when down 6. In what world would any football coach do that? A gimme PAT makes you only down 5, so 2 FGs would win it. If you make the 2, then you are down 4. And still need 2 FGs to win. You don't make the 2, then at best you need 2 FGs to tie and you just lost momentum.

This choice with the worst red zone offense in recorded history.

[AzCatFan2]

I also don't trust Jedd Fisch during game situations at all. Showed nothing last year.

I agree. Just awful play calling all around.

For example going for 2 when down 6. In what world would any football coach do that? A gimme PAT makes you only down 5, so 2 FGs would win it. If you make the 2, then you are down 4. And still need 2 FGs to win. You don't make the 2, then at best you need 2 FGs to tie and you just lost momentum.

This choice with the worst red zone offense in recorded history.

I go back to the UW game. Had them on the ropes. Called 6 straight run plays to get into scoring position, after gaining 40 yards and a facemask penalty. 1st and 10, up 16-7, and what do we call? A screen play that gets intercepted. Screens work well when you want to slow down a pass rush. Or expect a blitz. Not when you are running the ball well and pushing the other team off the line. If you call a pass, you call one that's off play-action, and maybe a corner route in the end zone. But best to call another run play and try and really take the wind out of the sails of the other team. A better coach and playcaller beats UW.

Maybe Fisch has learned from his mistakes. I guess we'll see.

[AV8RCAT]

I also don't trust Jedd Fisch during game situations at all. Showed nothing last year.

I agree. Just awful play calling all around.

For example going for 2 when down 6. In what world would any football coach do that? A gimme PAT makes you only down 5, so 2 FGs would win it. If you make the 2, then you are down 4. And still need 2 FGs to win. You don't make the 2, then at best you need 2 FGs to tie and you just lost momentum.

This choice with the worst red zone offense in recorded history.

I go back to the UW game. Had them on the ropes. Called 6 straight run plays to get into scoring position, after gaining 40 yards and a facemask penalty. 1st and 10, up 16-7, and what do we call? A screen play that gets intercepted. Screens work well when you want to slow down a pass rush. Or expect a blitz. Not when you are running the ball well and pushing the other team off the line. If you call a pass, you call one that's off play-action, and maybe a corner route in the end zone. But best to call another run play and try and really take the wind out of the sails of the other team. A better coach and playcaller beats UW.

Maybe Fisch has learned from his mistakes. I guess we'll see.

What, may I ask, is your coaching background? I'm more optimistic, but I think you know your shit and was wondering what level you may have coached on.

[AzCatFan2]

I also don't trust Jedd Fisch during game situations at all. Showed nothing last year.

I agree. Just awful play calling all around.

For example going for 2 when down 6. In what world would any football coach do that? A gimme PAT makes you only down 5, so 2 FGs would win it. If you make the 2, then you are down 4. And still need 2 FGs to win. You don't make the 2, then at best you need 2 FGs to tie and you just lost momentum.

This choice with the worst red zone offense in recorded history.

I go back to the UW game. Had them on the ropes. Called 6 straight run plays to get into scoring position, after gaining 40 yards and a facemask penalty. 1st and 10, up 16-7, and what do we call? A screen play that gets intercepted. Screens work well when you want to slow down a pass rush. Or expect a blitz. Not when you are running the ball well and pushing the other team off the line. If you call a pass, you call one that's off play-action, and maybe a corner route in the end zone. But best to call another run play and try and really take the wind out of the sails of the other team. A better coach and playcaller beats UW.

Maybe Fisch has learned from his mistakes. I guess we'll see.

What, may I ask, is your coaching background? I'm more optimistic, but I think you know your shit and was wondering what level you may have coached on.

I've won my fantasy league. And back in college, my Madden League several times. But never coached before. Heck, didn't even play! Unless you count in the band from 1991 - 1995. (Baritone and Trombone)

I played soccer and baseball growing up. Had an overprotective Mom that didn't want me playing football. But always loved the sport, and watched a lot. Also have a very analytical mind and enjoy breaking down football games. To me, it's a great combo of physics and chess.

[BBQ wildcat]

I have no coaching background, other than Tucson Youth Football, ran cross country in high school (too small). But to me, the coaching when in scoring position sucked. A team with better athletes doesn't lose to an NAU unless the coaching sucks. And, no, NAU most certainly did NOT have better athletes, or they wouldn't be playing at NAU. And the UW game has already been highlighted as a big coaching fail.

Until Fisch can show that he doesn't suck as a game coach, I have to go with the under 2.5.

[azcat49]

I am going with the over and I will also agree the play calling at times was head scratching. That UDub game was a disaster.

We should have been able to run against them but for whatever reason we couldn’t and that pic 6 right before half was unnecessary.

I can only chalk it up to lack of talent, otherwise we are f’ed

[azgreg]

I'm excited for the coming season. Can't wait.

[AV8RCAT]

I have no coaching background, other than Tucson Youth Football, ran cross country in high school (too small). But to me, the coaching when in scoring position sucked. A team with better athletes doesn't lose to an NAU unless the coaching sucks. And, no, NAU most certainly did NOT have better athletes, or they wouldn't be playing at NAU. And the UW game has already been highlighted as a big coaching fail.

Until Fisch can show that he doesn't suck as a game coach, I have to go with the under 2.5.

I don't know shit, other than I think intangibles happen. I'm going with 4.

[AZCatGirl]

Two wins, max. Not falling for off season hype.

[Chicat]

2 wins… 4 wins… doesn’t really matter because we’ll have a losing season no matter what.

I’m looking for the coaches to put the players in position to win and for the players to fight like hell to get there. If we win 3 games but our doors blown off in all the others I don’t see that as as much progress as only winning one or two games but being right there with the other team to the end in all of them.

[UAEebs86]

Good chance I'll be in SD that weekend, might have to pick up some tickets.

[Merkin]

Good chance I'll be in SD that weekend, might have to pick up some tickets.

Good luck unless you are a huge donor. First game at the new stadium.

[UAEebs86]

Good chance I'll be in SD that weekend, might have to pick up some tickets.

Good luck unless you are a huge donor. First game at the new stadium.

I'll get some on the street, from, one of those guys, that uh, sell the tickets for the sold-out events.

[azgreg]

15-0