WSU At Arizona

[TheCatInTheHat]

WSU spreads it around to 4 WRs, with QB Cameron Ward as the triggerman. Nakia Watson carries much of the load for the ground game. Defensively, they go with a 4-2-5 and generate their fair share of turnovers. Decent kicking game. Basically, they’re very much the way Washington State has been for the last several years. As far as games of note on their schedule, they won at Wisconsin 17-14, lost to Oregon 41-44, beat Cal 28-9, lost at USC 14-30, lost at Oregon St 10-24, lost to Utah 17-21, and Saturday beat ASU 28-18 to become bowl eligible. We played well yesterday and pulled a major upset, so we’re hopeful, but obviously no guarantees whatsoever for a game that could go either way. As a sidelight in terms of any potential sandwich game syndrome for WSU, if anybody seriously thinks Washington’s in the CFP running with 2 losses after their upset at Oregon, WSU gets them at home next week with a chance to dash any such thoughts.

OFFENSE:
QB Cameron Ward 6-2 220 SO 63.7 % 20 TD/8 INT 257.9 YPG
RB Nakia Watson 6-0 225 RS-JR RUSH: 75.9 YPG 6 TD//REC: 27.4 YPG 2 TD
WR De'Zhaun Stribling 6-3 205 SO 51.2 YPG 5 TD
WR Robert Ferrel 5-8 175 RS-SR 52.8 YPG 3TD
WR Donovan Ollie 6-3 210 RS-SO 39.9 YPG 3TD
WR Lincoln Victor 5-9 180 JR 17.5 YPG
LT Jack Wilson 6-11 340 RS-JR
LG Christian Hillborn 6-5 300 RS-FR
C Konner Gomness 6-5 295 RS-SO
RG Grant Stephens 6-4 305 RS-SR
RT Quinn McCarthy 6-5 300 RS-SO

DEFENSE:
DE Brennan Jackson 6-4 265 RS-JR 36 T 5 SK
DT Christian Mejia 6-3 300 RS-SR 26 T 1.5 SK 1 INT
DT Amir Mujahid 6-3 285 24 T
DE Ron Stone 6-3 245 RS-JR 27 T 2 SK
LB Daivan Henley 6-2 230 RS-SR 95 T 4.0 SK 1 INT
LB Francisco Mauigoa 6-3 230 SO 52 T 3.5 SK 1 INT
CB Chau Smith-Wade 5-11 185 SO 38 T 2 INT
S Jaden Hicks 6-3 210 RS-FR 63 T 1 SK 1 INT
S Armani Marsh 5-10 190 RS-SR 53 T 2 SK
S Sam Lockett 6-1 205 RS-JR 41 T 1 INT
CB Derrick Langford 6-3 200 SR 24 T

KICKING:
P Nick Haberer 41.6 YPP LONG: 62
K Dean Janikowski 8-10 LONG: 42
KO Colton Theaker 51 KO/29 TB
PR Robert Ferrel 11.0 YPP LONG: 34
KR Lincoln Victor 20.3 YPK LONG: 30

[Merkin]

https://www.azdesertswarm.com/football/ ... 91fTShIY0I

Arizona has opened as a 3.5-point underdog for its home game against the Washington State Cougars, according to DraftKings Sportsbook. The game will kick off Saturday 12 p.m. MST on Pac-12 Networks.

This is the sixth straight game that the Wildcats have been underdogs, but the smallest line since being 3.5-point dogs at Cal on Sept. 24. On the season, Arizona is 6-4 against the spread (ATS).

[Alieberman]

It's clear how much this game means to JDL... that emotion sometimes works against a player.

IF JDL doesn't try to do too much... I like our chances.

[azcat49]

JDL will either be great of might crap the bed. He was highly emotional talking about this game this week.

They have a very good defense and I think this game will be played at a very high level
Of intensity. Get that win and we can start dreaming about a potential bowl bid

[CardiacCats97]

Arizona by 100

[Merkin]

Put him in uniform. No one will know.

[PHXCATS]

So much on the line tomorrow. This has been one of the biggest build up weeks for several years.

Not making a bowl this year is not a huge deal but man that would be amazing for the team and coaching staff to do so

[CardiacCats97]

Is there that much on the line? Being bowl eligible wasn’t really even a goal this year. If they end up 5-7 instead of 6-6 is anyone really going to be hugely disappointed? The team has made huge strides and the future is bright. Beat ASU and no one will even remember the WSU game.

[Alieberman]

I had a good feeling about the UCLA game... but I don't against WSU.

Hope I'm wrong

[azcat49]

No doubt of these last two games, the ASSU game is the one we want. Still these are two games we can win and if we lose tomorrow it will be disappointing. No doubt we have made huge strides and are a couple recruiting classes away from being very competitive.

I am only questioning if JDL can string consecutive good weeks together. He hasn’t done that yet and if he does have a good game tomorrow, can he do it in the biggest game of the year for us

[AzCatFan2]

5-7 and a win over them is better than we all thought was possible. If that's where we end up, season still a resounding success. But if we can somehow manage to win our last 3 and go bowling? Absolutely amazing season.

[Merkin]

Just beat ASU and I call the season a success. Going to a lower tier Ty-D-Bowl really doesn't interest me, but good for the players.

These bowls are money losers, which the PAC splits 12 ways, which will really hurt when USC and UCLA leave and less money coming into the pot from money making bowls.

[PHXCATS]

Is there that much on the line? Being bowl eligible wasn’t really even a goal this year. If they end up 5-7 instead of 6-6 is anyone really going to be hugely disappointed? The team has made huge strides and the future is bright. Beat ASU and no one will even remember the WSU game.

Yes.

Things change when you get a big win like that. No one will be hugely disappointed but the recruiting momentum and the extra practice time for young guys cannot be more valuable for this program

[azcat49]

I am so fired up about the game tomorrow and I can’t Remember the last time I was like this. Probably 2014 vs ASSU.

Being so bad for so long just makes this exciting. Kind of like when Miller and DWill put basketball back together and we made that unlikely run yo the elite 8.

It’s a shame our fans won’t show out and support this team after such a big win. My guess is we will be lucky to draw 40K on a Saturday at noon with perfect weather.

[Merkin]

It’s a shame our fans won’t show out and support this team after such a big win.

They won't. Remember when Khalil Tate was the most exciting player in college ball, and the Cats had won 4 in a row? Ranked WSU came into town.

Think the attendance was around 48,000. Don't even remember who won.

[wyo-cat]

A month of extra practice for this young team will be huge for next year.

That’s why I’m fired up.

I’m calling statement game by JDL. Calling my shot!

[azcat49]

Yep. We still have one of the best fan bases in the west but just don’t understand what else the school can do to get fabs to come out. Tickets are as little as $11 a seat. Cheaper than a movie.

This team is exciting and unpredictable. Most games are close and we are fighting for a bowl opportunity. Hopefully we see a huge walk up crowd

[Merkin]

I don't think college football attendance will ever recover. It's just too convenient and comfortable to see it at home on your very large screen TV in your very comfortable easy chair. Along with your own bar and bathroom. No crowds, parking issues or long lines.

Last couple games I went to (Cal Poly not UA) were not that enjoyable for me. And yes, that was me, the tall old white dude who was scowling. TOO LOUD!

[CardiacCats97]

Is there that much on the line? Being bowl eligible wasn’t really even a goal this year. If they end up 5-7 instead of 6-6 is anyone really going to be hugely disappointed? The team has made huge strides and the future is bright. Beat ASU and no one will even remember the WSU game.

Yes.

Things change when you get a big win like that. No one will be hugely disappointed but the recruiting momentum and the extra practice time for young guys cannot be more valuable for this program

You said “So much on the line”. Still doesn’t actually seem like that much. The trajectory of the program will still be on the upswing. Recruiting will not suffer. And as others have pointed out, attendance won’t swell or shrink significantly.

Now, if we win tomorrow and you want to convince me there’s a ton on the line against ASU, I might be more easily convinced. Letting a team that fired its coach and is heading nowhere keep us out of a bowl would be terrible.

[ASUHATER!]

I don't think college football attendance will ever recover. It's just too convenient and comfortable to see it at home on your very large screen TV in your very comfortable easy chair. Along with your own bar and bathroom. No crowds, parking issues or long lines.

Last couple games I went to (Cal Poly not UA) were not that enjoyable for me. And yes, that was me, the tall old white dude who was scowling. TOO LOUD!

For several years already Alabama has had trouble filling their student section and has had fans leaving at halftime for games. Almost every school in the country, including blue bloods, need to downsize their capacity

[Postmaster]

The in game experience isn’t that great. I find the replays lacking in quantity and angles. An adult beverage is $15. The band is stale. The Dj is silly.
Do the metal detectors even work? How does it not go off if I hold stuff in my hand instead of my pocket?

Worst of all is the paper straws. They start to deteriorate after a quarter.

They should let people tailgate after the game .