Bear Down Wildcats

ghostwhitehorse wrote:http://espn.go.com/ncf/conversation?gameId=400548192

Cocky bunch, those Wolfpack fans.

ghostwhitehorse wrote:http://espn.go.com/ncf/conversation?gameId=400548192

Cocky bunch, those Wolfpack fans.

Anu Solomon

"We just can't have the performance we had last week. Disguising defenses (is the biggest problem they pose). They tend to jump around a little bit just to show what kind of coverage they're going to play in pre-snap and then in post-snap play a different coverage. So there are certain things I gotta study on, just what type of leverage I have, how deep are their safeties, and things like that."

azgreg wrote:I hear Neal is out and Worthy and Jones-Grigsby are questionable.

PROBABLE: DaVonte' Neal (ankle)

QUESTIONABLE: Terris Jones-Grigsby (ankle), Jeff Worthy (concussion)

OUT: Jacob Alsadek (foot), Johnny Jackson (back)

Merkin wrote:

azgreg wrote:I hear Neal is out and Worthy and Jones-Grigsby are questionable.

http://www.donbest.com/ncaaf/injuries/

azcat49 wrote:You see the line movement today. AZ is now an 18 point favorite. It went straight up quick

azgreg wrote:

ANGCatFan wrote:Nevada's press conference this week.



Coach is not charismatic, but he is straight forward and honest. He has lots of respect for Arizona. Must be easy to be a Nevada sports reporter since the coach does all the research for your stories.

"I believe any time you play a Pac-12 opponent or any big game, it definitely sticks out," said senior cornerback Evan Favors, who summed up his memory of that loss rather succinctly with two words, "missed opportunities." "This game definitely left a sour taste in our mouth. We plan on going out and finishing the job we didn't finish a couple years ago."

Fajardo, despite getting thoroughly beaten up, had arguably his best day at Nevada, rushing for 140 yards on 22 carries and passing for 256 yards (22-for-31). He threw three TD passes and ran for another, but his final pass of the game, a desperation heave in the closing seconds was picked off. It was his second interception of the game.

Merkin wrote:
http://www.donbest.com/ncaaf/injuries/

ANGCatFan wrote:Is there any reason I should give donbest.com any credibility? It looks like just a compiler of team injury reports and news articles with no review system. For example, they have Bondurant still listed as having left the team.

I don't believe Cobb is out for the year with an injury, but he is a likely redshirt.

Arizona looks to match Nebraska’s 20-game streak of producing at least one 100-yard rusher. The Cornhuskers accomplished the feat from October 1999 through December 2000. Arizona’s current streak began on Nov. 10, 2012, and currently stands at 19 games.

Only a select few will see the game…or remember it. Worse, none will see highlights of Arizona-Nevada on Saturday, and the game’s score, let alone a box score, will even make the local fish wrap. This is the burden of kicking off at 11 p.m. EST. Complicating matters is the fact the game will be televised by Pac-12 Networks . . . While I understand the heat concerns, as well as the desire to have the game televised I still have to ask that in this day and age of digital wonder, if no one watches it did it really happen?

Quarterback: Nevada's Cody Fajardo was basically a game manager in the win over Washington State, throwing the ball just 21 times with 16 rushes. He made some key plays and avoided the big mistakes. Arizona's Anu Solomon is a talented freshman. Nevada needs to blitz him into mistakes. Edge: Nevada

Running backs: Arizona has a pair of talented backs in Terris Jones-Grigsby (9.5 yards per carry) and Nick Wilson (7.5 yards per carry). Jones-Grisgby missed the last game with an ankle injury, but should be back in action. Nevada's top two backs, Don Jackson and James Butler, are averaging 3.8 ypc. Edge: Arizona

Wide receivers/tight end: This is a close one, but Arizona has the best receiver in the game in Austin Hill, a future pro. Hill is off to a slow start, but he caught eight passes for 175 yards and two scores versus Nevada in 2012. Hasaan Hederson made some big catches for Nevada last week. Edge: Arizona

Offensive line: Arizona has a pair of gigantic tackles (both are 6-8) and one of the nation's most veteran offensive lines (114 career starts). The team averages 6.3 ypc. Nevada's thin depth at this position is already being tested. The group improved as the Washington State game went along. Edge: Arizona

Defensive line: Arizona runs a three-man front in its 3-3-5 defense, which has given Nevada some trouble over the years. The Wildcats have allowed just 3.4 ypc. Nevada's defensive line has played well in both of its wins to start the season. They're setting the tone for an improved defense. Edge: Nevada

Linebackers: Nevada's linebackers are getting more chances to blitz this year, especially the inside guys. They're making more plays as a result. LBs Jonathan McNeal (17) and Matt Lyons (15) lead the team in tackles. Arizona MLB Scooby Wright III (19 tackles, two sacks) looks like a future pro. Edge: Arizona

Secondary: This is the strength of the Arizona defense. The Wildcats returned four senior starters (who have a career 106 starts), led by Jared Tevis (21 tackles, 1.5 TFL 1 INT). Nevada's secondary has been good this season, limiting the big plays and nabbing three interceptions. Edge: Arizona

Special teams: Neither team has gotten much out of their returns games. Both teams have excellent kickers. Arizona's Casey Skowron is 7-of-8 this year and Nevada's Brent Zuzo is 15-of-18 in his career. Arizona has struggled in the punt game, with a net of 29.5 (118th out of 123 FBS teams). Edge: Nevada

Coaching: Brian Polian and staff out-schemed Washington State's staff. Can it do so again versus Arizona? Rich Rodriguez didn't work out in Michigan, but he's an excellent offensive coach with a veteran staff. Nevada first-year defensive coordinator Scott Boone looks like a great hire. Edge: Arizona

Plug holes, safety help

Nevada has experience defending the zone read from its own practices (so does Arizona), so that should help. On any given read run, there will likely be one freed-up linebacker (six offensive linemen, including a tight end, vs. Nevada's front seven). The Wolf Pack must be gap sound and get help from safeties in the run game. Limiting yards after contact will go a long way, too.

Throw (but not to WRs)

The Wildcats will play some man-to-man defense, but they haven't been getting a real strong pass rush yet (four sacks, only one by a defensive lineman). Perhaps how the receivers can be most helpful is to stretch the field and let QB Cody Fajardo take advantage underneath with tight end passes and running back screens. Nevada will surely have to have some success throwing the ball to keep Arizona from filling the box.

Trade TDs for FGs

It's very likely the Wildcats will end up with more total yards and more trips past midfield, but if the Wolf Pack can lend an assist on a trend, it can still come away with a win. Arizona has had to settle for eight field goals (out of 17 scores), a red-zone issue that Rodriguez is concerned about. Conversely, Nevada must continue to maximize its red-zone chances (8-for-8, with seven TDs).