Bear Down Wildcats

ASUHATER! wrote:

wyo-cat wrote:

scumdevils86 wrote:Too bad the rose bowl isn't an option even if we win out

Final four if we win out. Big IF, by the way.

A 13-2 team led by Tate and 9-0 with Tate. We're in.

If we win out we'd be 11-2, not 13-2. 13-2 would imply national champions.

Right, 11-2. Mondays!!

azgreg wrote:

wyo-cat wrote:

scumdevils86 wrote:Too bad the rose bowl isn't an option even if we win out

Final four if we win out. Big IF, by the way.

A 13-2 team led by Tate and 9-0 with Tate. We're in.

The only team with a shot at the playoffs from the PAC is Washington, and that ain't happening.

Disagree. If U of A goes 9-0 with Tate it is possible that U of A makes the playoff depending on other teams.

now i've seen everything. an 11-2 uofa with losses to houston and utah? other teams would have to utterly implode for us to get invited to a playoff scenario.

PHXCATS wrote:

azgreg wrote:

wyo-cat wrote:

scumdevils86 wrote:Too bad the rose bowl isn't an option even if we win out

Final four if we win out. Big IF, by the way.

A 13-2 team led by Tate and 9-0 with Tate. We're in.

The only team with a shot at the playoffs from the PAC is Washington, and that ain't happening.

Disagree. If U of A goes 9-0 with Tate it is possible that U of A makes the playoff depending on other teams.

There are a lot...A LOT of other teams that have to lose a lot in that scenario. Like every single member of the top ten and maybe top 15 would need 3 losses except for 3 of our playoff opponents. We aren't jumping any one loss team and there are a ton of them. Houston and Utah at home are not two great L's either.

a loooooooooot would have to happen for that to become a reality with only 3/4 games left. I'm with scumdevils on this one. Just praying for a Pac championship and a NY6. Even though even BSU had more people at the Fiesta Bowl than a team in the same state

Spaceman Spiff wrote:

PHXCATS wrote:

azgreg wrote:

wyo-cat wrote:

scumdevils86 wrote:Too bad the rose bowl isn't an option even if we win out

Final four if we win out. Big IF, by the way.

A 13-2 team led by Tate and 9-0 with Tate. We're in.

The only team with a shot at the playoffs from the PAC is Washington, and that ain't happening.

Disagree. If U of A goes 9-0 with Tate it is possible that U of A makes the playoff depending on other teams.

There are a lot...A LOT of other teams that have to lose a lot in that scenario. Like every single member of the top ten and maybe top 15 would need 3 losses except for 3 of our playoff opponents. We aren't jumping any one loss team and there are a ton of them. Houston and Utah at home are not two great L's either.

The committee will take in how U of A has played since the switch (assuming Tate stays healthy). I am not saying it is guaranteed if U of A runs the table and the chances of that are very slim, but it is possible. U of A wont jump a one loss Ohio State or Oklahoma but two losses vs two losses when the team is doing so much better on offense and defense now would give the committee something to consider in that board room.

This game certainly feels like 2014 when Arizona went into Eugene for Oregon's first home game of the season and everyone expected us to be the sacrificial offering at the temple of the Ducks. Well, we came out swinging and came out with a victory - giving Oregon its only loss in an otherwise perfect season.

This also happens to be USC's homecoming game and I would really like to watch the lead-up to the start of this game, so Texas vs. TCU better not go into overtime! ESPN has ruined several UofA games for me in the past by starting to broadcast several minutes into the game, ruining any anticipation and excitement of watching a game from the start of tip-off/kick-off.

Zero chance a 11-2 Arizona team gets into the playoffs.

azgreg wrote:Zero chance a 11-2 Arizona team gets into the playoffs.

We need a lot of losses and a few teams declared ineligible for the postseason, then we have it in the bag.

azgreg wrote:Zero chance a 11-2 Arizona team gets into the playoffs.

It's definitely not likely but it's definitely not impossible

PHXCATS wrote:

Merkin wrote:It's a 3 hour drive for me, so that is just way to late. Thanks a lot Larry Scott.

Should the PAC 12 not have games on ESPN?

Want to go to another network for a lot less money?

How are "good fans" supposed to support the team when the time is prohibitive?

Or does that only apply to those in spitting distnsce of Tucson?

Only those who have lived outside of Arizona and struggled to find/watch games really get how difficult it is.

Scott could do a heck of a lot more for access if he really cared to.

Who on the east coast will be watching a 11pm start on espn?!?

PHXCATS wrote:ESPN had the first choice for the games this week and rightfully picked this one. This is a compliment to RR and Tate and the defense and recognition for the last four weeks and how big of a matchup this is, one of the best in a weekend full of great games.

It is a compliment to U of A

Yet sc vs Colorado gets a prime spot of 1pm next weekend?

Spaceman Spiff wrote:

waysouthcat wrote:As a long-suffering Cats fan, my guts usually tell me that when our hopes are up and the national spotlight hits we will faceplant. This time feels different.

Yes, but the telltale sign of an incoming Arizona faceplant is usually when you start to believe this time is different and we'll actually break through this time.

Ah foo...that's where I'm at...

CalStateTempe wrote:

PHXCATS wrote:

Merkin wrote:It's a 3 hour drive for me, so that is just way to late. Thanks a lot Larry Scott.

Should the PAC 12 not have games on ESPN?

Want to go to another network for a lot less money?

How are "good fans" supposed to support the team when the time is prohibitive?

Or does that only apply to those in spitting distnsce of Tucson?

Only those who have lived outside of Arizona and struggled to find/watch games really get how difficult it is.

Scott could do a heck of a lot more for access if he really cared to.

Who on the east coast will be watching a 11pm start on espn?!?

I was only talking about the start times for the games

What exactly could Scott do to get a heck of a lot more access? Only thing I can think of that would not cost a ton of money and exposure would be to do whatever it took to get PAC-12 on Direct TV.

Honestly please tell me because I honestly want to know. Scott is an awful Commish but just because he is does not mean every single thing he does is wrong.

Spaceman Spiff wrote:

azgreg wrote:Zero chance a 11-2 Arizona team gets into the playoffs.

We need a lot of losses and a few teams declared ineligible for the postseason, then we have it in the bag.

Sooo, you're telling me there's a chance.

CalStateTempe wrote:

PHXCATS wrote:ESPN had the first choice for the games this week and rightfully picked this one. This is a compliment to RR and Tate and the defense and recognition for the last four weeks and how big of a matchup this is, one of the best in a weekend full of great games.

It is a compliment to U of A

Yet sc vs Colorado gets a prime spot of 1pm next weekend?

Fox had first choice and that was their open spot. U of A was picked second but ESPN had the 8pm slot open.

Let me ask you this.

ESPN has the following time slots available and the following games. If you were in charge at ESPN how would you schedule these games?
9:00 AM
12:30 PM
4:15 PM
7:45 PM

Auburn vs Texas A&M
Ohio State vs Iowa
Texas vs TCU
Arizona vs USC

Same ranking, but switch ucla for Arizona and you better believe that start isn't at 11p eastern.

Access on direct tv would be a start as would ditching the cockamamie idea that a conference network is the way to go.

Not having a clear vendetta against Arizona would be another.

You know phx, for being such a dyed in the wool cat fan, you pick the oddest things to "not drink the koolaid" over namely your disdain of Miller and support for corporate media dictating our start times in both bb and fb.

It's just a really interesting dichotomy.

CalStateTempe wrote:Same ranking, but switch ucla for Arizona and you better believe that start isn't at 11p eastern.

Access on direct tv would be a start as would ditching the cockamamie idea that a conference network is the way to go.

Not having a clear vendetta against Arizona would be another.

In the last three years please give me one thing that proves Scott has a vendetta against Arizona

The PAC-12 Network gives U of A the better chance at day games. Give up the PAC-12 network and stay with Fox and ESPN there would ONLY be night games forever in the PAC-12.

Yeah in that line up we are stuck...your point is? (Don't answer that, I know what your point t actually is)

CalStateTempe wrote:You know phx, for being such a dyed in the wool cat fan, you pick the oddest things to "not drink the koolaid" over namely your disdain of Miller and support for corporate media dictating our start times in both bb and fb.

It's just a really interesting dichotomy.

I have no disdain for Miller in any way what so ever. I was upset about some things he did in the past that had nothing to do with basketball on the court but that was years ago and I am completely over it and calling that TO in the PAC-12 tournament made me love him again.

CalStateTempe wrote:

Spaceman Spiff wrote:

waysouthcat wrote:As a long-suffering Cats fan, my guts usually tell me that when our hopes are up and the national spotlight hits we will faceplant. This time feels different.

Yes, but the telltale sign of an incoming Arizona faceplant is usually when you start to believe this time is different and we'll actually break through this time.

Ah foo...that's where I'm at...

I think anyone who has consistently rooted for Arizona football spends any winning streak waiting for the other shoe to drop.

yup. I'm super excited for this win streak. but it just feels like the guillotine is about to drop. i've seen it happen too many times and i've only been around 15 years.

azgreg wrote:

Spaceman Spiff wrote:

waysouthcat wrote:As a long-suffering Cats fan, my guts usually tell me that when our hopes are up and the national spotlight hits we will faceplant. This time feels different.

Yes, but the telltale sign of an incoming Arizona faceplant is usually when you start to believe this time is different and we'll actually break through this time.

2014 vs UCLA comes to mind.

Made the trip from Tucson to LA for this one and it was one to forget. I'll be staying away from this one.

Oddly I'm feeling torn about my feelings for this game.

As far as the guillotine about to drop, playing at the Coliseum and always getting my hopes dashed as a UofA fan.....half of me feels that way. The other half of me feels like what we're watching here with Tate is totally unchartered territory and he could be the once in a lifetime star who takes us on a magical run.

So what's the plan for pressuring Darnold on Saturday. I don't think we even got so much as a hurry on Hilinski the other night. His pocket was rock-solid and he had forever to throw all night long. Is WSU's O-line just that good, or what? We've been getting decent pressure, sacks, etc., up until last week. So what's the outlook for this week?

BearDown89 wrote:So what's the plan for pressuring Darnold on Saturday. I don't think we even got so much as a hurry on Hilinski the other night. His pocket was rock-solid and he had forever to throw all night long. Is WSU's O-line just that good, or what? We've been getting decent pressure, sacks, etc., up until last week. So what's the outlook for this week?

The Pirate puts so many people downfield in passing routes, it's hard to blitz a lot. Darnold is a different story.

This could be a breakout week for us.

Anybody here recite the headline from The Arizona Daily Star circa Oct. 11th, 1981? Cause I can!

ghostwhitehorse wrote:Anybody here recite the headline from The Arizona Daily Star circa Oct. 11th, 1981? Cause I can!

Do tell.

azgreg wrote:

ghostwhitehorse wrote:Anybody here recite the headline from The Arizona Daily Star circa Oct. 11th, 1981? Cause I can!

Do tell.

http://www.nytimes.com/1981/10/11/sport ... 13-10.html

biggest issue is if they just line up and run it at us forcing us to bring more into the box. Then Darnold will be more effective over the top. This is the game we have not fared well in, see Colorado. They just keep pounding it and pounding it forcing our hand Going to be very important for us to play from the lead

I was at that game. Can't believe it was 36 years ago.

Marcus Allen and Vance Johnson. That will make you feel old....

Last week

Defense
U of A vs WSU 7.1 yards per pass attempt
USC vs asu 9.0 yards per pass attempt
U of A vs WSU 2.6 yards per rush attempt
USC vs asu 2.6 yards per pass attempt

Offense
U of A vs WSU 16.2 yards per pass attempt
USC vs asu 7.6 yards per pass attempt
U of A vs WSU 9.1 yards per rush attempt
USC vs asu 7.4 yards per pass attempt

this to me feels like a game where stats are thrown out the window. USC has the best athletes in the conference, but it depends which USC we get. honestly have no clue what is going to happen.

btfd16 wrote:this to me feels like a game where stats are thrown out the window. USC has the best athletes in the conference, but it depends which USC we get. honestly have no clue what is going to happen.

stats definitely do not tell the whole story, and I agree USC has the best players and is the deepest team in the conference, but I just wanted to throw those stats out here to indicate that U of A is playing well now on both sides of the ball and has a good chance on Saturday.

How many times have we played USC when we could consistently throw the ball and run it? That probably equates to how many times we've been able to beat them. We have a multidimensional offense so we can win this game. We just need some one to pull KT aside and tell him to watch out for that USC D. They will no doubt try to take KT out ( a la Matt Scott and Anu Solomon). That is their "MO." If they can't defend against our QB, they will try to take them out.

To me a real positive is that Notre Dame, who runs a similar offense with a duel threat QB and a great RB. USC had no answer for them and although they controlled ASSU pretty well they seemed to do that more because they executed well on offense and got out to a fast start. Hopefully we can slow them on defense and get some early three and outs or turnovers

First meeting: At USC (34-7 USC)
Last meeting: 2016 At Arizona (48-14 USC)
At Arizona: 13-4 USC
At USC: 12-4 USC
Overall: 25-8 USC

Man I'm getting excited for this game

Thank you all!

Line opened at -9 USC and is now at -7 USC.

skyblue wrote:

azgreg wrote:

ghostwhitehorse wrote:Anybody here recite the headline from The Arizona Daily Star circa Oct. 11th, 1981? Cause I can!

Do tell.

http://www.nytimes.com/1981/10/11/sport ... 13-10.html

Anybody know whatever happened to Mark Fulcher? All I've got from '82, which would've been his senior season as a Wildcat, is the first Arizona win in 'The Streak' over ASU, but Tunnicliffe had a different backup by then.

EastCoastCat wrote:I was at that game. Can't believe it was 36 years ago.

Marcus Allen and Vance Johnson. That will make you feel old....

As was I. Planned on leaving at halftime as Marcus Allen was killing us - but we hung in there. The Headline in the LA Times Sports section was "Allen Rolls, SC Rolls Over"

The only thing I’m worried about is USC jumping to a Two TD lead. Not sure if the defense is made for playing behind. Im also not sure if USC offense is great playing far behind either.

This is a winnable game for Arizona. Arizona's defense concerns me as they are flying by the seat of their pants just like Casteel's defenses here. Pass rush will be key.

chiefzona wrote:This is a winnable game for Arizona. Arizona's defense concerns me as they are flying by the seat of their pants just like Casteel's defenses here. Pass rush will be key.

Per play they are actually doing well and they are forcing lots of turnovers.

PHXCATS wrote:

chiefzona wrote:This is a winnable game for Arizona. Arizona's defense concerns me as they are flying by the seat of their pants just like Casteel's defenses here. Pass rush will be key.

Per play they are actually doing well and they are forcing lots of turnovers.

More sacks. More interceptions. More 3 and outs. More turnovers. The defense is playing well imo. 100 snaps are a lot to defend. I hope they play well and tackle in the open field.

Darnold already has tossed more pics (10) than he did all of last season (9).

If the Cats can grab one or two, and Tate plays error free they might have a chance.

Hopefully Yates has something up his sleeve to put a little more pressure on Darnold than the Cats did v. WSU. Falk and Hilinski. They seemed to have about 5 seconds each time they went back there to pass.

Merkin wrote:Darnold already has tossed more pics (10) than he did all of last season (9).

If the Cats can grab one or two, and Tate plays error free they might have a chance.

Hopefully Yates has something up his sleeve to put a little more pressure on Darnold than the Cats did v. WSU. Falk and Hilinski. They seemed to have about 5 seconds each time they went back there to pass.

Darn old also is very prone to fumbling.

With WSU, I think it was the game plan to go with four rushers most times. Since WSU spreads out so much blitzing could be very dangerous. On a per play average UA actually did well. WSU scored most of their tds on short fields due to the two turnovers, one was total bs. Although I wish Ua would have got more pressure with the he guys they sent but WSU had good oline play.

Think Weill see a different game plan vs the more pro style offense of USC