2020 Season Thread

AZCatGirl · Post by **AZCatGirl** » Sat Oct 03, 2020 9:07 pm

azgreg wrote:All PAC games will be on ABC, ESPN networks, or FOX networks. No games will be on the PAC-12 network.

Just put the Pac-12 Network out of its misery at this point. No one is going to give a crap about the shitty basketball schedule, so just end it.

PHXCATS · Post by **PHXCATS** » Sat Oct 03, 2020 11:32 pm

Since no games will be on the PAC12 network look for many late night games

Carcassdragger · Post by **Carcassdragger** » Sun Oct 04, 2020 9:44 pm

Well , we're in a 7 game losing streak. When will we snap the streak? 2021?

DrWildcat · Post by **DrWildcat** » Mon Oct 05, 2020 6:30 am

PHXCATS wrote:Since no games will be on the PAC12 network look for many late night games

Different than normal?

azgreg · Post by **azgreg** » Mon Oct 05, 2020 8:19 am

The ASU @ USC game is scheduled for a 9 AM kickoff.

DrWildcat · Post by **DrWildcat** » Mon Oct 05, 2020 9:29 am

Sadly, this feels about right. Colorado is our best chance at a win. Then maybe ASU or UCLA?

UAEebs86 · Post by **UAEebs86** » Mon Oct 05, 2020 9:32 am

DrWildcat wrote:Sadly, this feels about right. Colorado is our best chance at a win. Then maybe ASU or UCLA?

Don't forget the 6 vs. 6 crossover game. Probably OSU or Wazzu.

Probably our best shot.

ASUHATER! · Post by **ASUHATER!** » Mon Oct 05, 2020 9:32 am

Best case we're 2-5

DrWildcat · Post by **DrWildcat** » Mon Oct 05, 2020 9:40 am

UAEebs86 wrote:
DrWildcat wrote:Sadly, this feels about right. Colorado is our best chance at a win. Then maybe ASU or UCLA?
Don't forget the 6 vs. 6 crossover game. Probably OSU or Wazzu.

Probably our best shot.

Forgot about that, thanks. With that, our ceiling is probably 3 wins but 2-5, 1-6 feel more likely. In the end, I would at least like to see some kind of hope for the future.

PHXCATS · Post by **PHXCATS** » Mon Oct 05, 2020 9:45 am

Everygame is winnable

Things change based on how players perform, evolve and injuries but as of now UA would be favored vs CU and a slight dog vs UCLA and asu.

I think Cats go 2-5 or 3-4

Alieberman · Post by **Alieberman** » Mon Oct 05, 2020 11:35 am

Sumlin has Corona.

Good luck on a great season Wildcats!

ASUHATER! · Post by **ASUHATER!** » Mon Oct 05, 2020 11:35 am

lol. Theres literally no point in playing this year.

Merkin · Post by **Merkin** » Mon Oct 05, 2020 3:22 pm

Might have to bet the under.

Carcassdragger · Post by **Carcassdragger** » Mon Oct 05, 2020 4:23 pm

Oregon State sucks but is much better than us.

OSUCat · Post by **OSUCat** » Mon Oct 05, 2020 4:53 pm

I haven’t been paying attention at all. Did Arizona loose it’s entire defense? Is there any reason to watch this year?

Merkin · Post by **Merkin** » Mon Oct 05, 2020 5:41 pm

OSUCat wrote:I haven’t been paying attention at all. Did Arizona loose it’s entire defense? Is there any reason to watch this year?

Only one decent player left on defense, Pandy, but the offense looks good with Gunnell and Brightwell, and a decent OL. Just need to score 50 or more points since the defense will be giving up 40 or so each game.

azgreg · Post by **azgreg** » Mon Oct 05, 2020 5:41 pm

OSUCat wrote:I haven’t been paying attention at all. Did Arizona loose it’s entire defense? Is there any reason to watch this year?

Our defense is thinner than deli meat.

TatetheGreat · Post by **TatetheGreat** » Mon Oct 05, 2020 8:24 pm

This was the press release. Sumlin has no symptoms as of yet. Practice will start as scheduled on Friday.

Statement On Behalf of Arizona Athletics and Arizona Football

TUCSON, Ariz. -- In a recent administration of COVID-19 testing of our staff members, Head Football Coach Kevin Sumlin received a positive test result. In response to the positive result, our Intercollegiate Athletics Medical team immediately administered follow-up testing for Coach Sumlin to ensure validity and subsequent confirmation of the positive result. In adherence with all university protocols, Coach Sumlin entered self-isolation immediately, contact tracing began in earnest and he has not experienced any symptoms.

Contact tracing as well as a thorough analysis of all related team activities and protocols determined the test result is not related to any team activities and no close contacts were identified within the football program.

(The italicized statement below is from Coach Sumlin.)

“My family and I have been aggressive in our efforts to remain safe and healthy throughout the past seven months. My positive test result, while a shock, is a stark reminder of how we must all remain vigilant in our focus on hand washing, physical distancing and face coverings.

I am feeling well and will be engaged in our ramp-up activities on a virtual basis until I complete the isolation protocol. I look forward to being back on field in time to begin preparing for the season.

We are all grateful to Dr. Stephen Paul and his entire football medical team who work hard day-in and day-out to ensure our student-athletes and staff are safe and healthy.”

Team ramp-up activities remain on schedule this week, with pre-season practice scheduled to begin Friday, October 9.

Tatanka · Post by **Tatanka** » Wed Oct 07, 2020 5:34 pm

Jalen Johnson get kicked off the team or what?

azgreg · Post by **azgreg** » Wed Oct 07, 2020 5:40 pm

Tatanka wrote:Jalen Johnson get kicked off the team or what?

Why do you say that?

Tatanka · Post by **Tatanka** » Thu Oct 08, 2020 2:50 pm

azgreg wrote:
Tatanka wrote:Jalen Johnson get kicked off the team or what?
Why do you say that?

Suspended indefinitely

PHXCATS · Post by **PHXCATS** » Thu Oct 08, 2020 2:57 pm

Thanks Chief

Tatanka · Post by **Tatanka** » Thu Oct 08, 2020 3:49 pm

JB Brown not playing with the team.

ByJoveByJingle · Post by **ByJoveByJingle** » Thu Oct 08, 2020 4:13 pm

Glad people are so comfortable gambling with player’s lives.

Baylor University, in Waco, Texas, has announced it is halting all football-related activities following positive results from recent coronavirus testing. The school did not reveal how many players and/or staff tested positive for Covid-19.

Last month, the team was forced to postpone a game versus the Houston Cougars due to Covid-19 cases on the Baylor team.

"At this time and in the interest of our student-athletes, coaches, and staff, we have temporarily suspended all football-related activities. Their health and wellness will always be our top priority," Baylor director of athletics Mack B. Rhoades said in a statement. "We are taking all possible precautions and our focus remains playing the scheduled game with Oklahoma State at McLane Stadium on Oct. 17."

Merkin · Post by **Merkin** » Fri Oct 09, 2020 4:27 pm

Stanford must be trying to shut down the season sooner than later.

dmjcat · Post by **dmjcat** » Wed Oct 14, 2020 8:58 am

Looks like our new defensive coordinator is cut from the same cloth as Sean Miller.........do what we do even if we don't have the personnel to do it. With 14 defensive lineman and only a few linebackers one would think that we would at least consider running some sort of 4 man front, either a 4-3 or 4-2-5, but no, we'll just shove a square peg into a round hole.

https://www.azdesertswarm.com/football/ ... -preseason" target="_blank

"Arizona has 14 scholarship defensive linemen available this season but only five linebackers, putting in doubt Rhoads’ plan to run a 3-4 defense.

“It changes it quite a bit from a personnel standpoint,” he said. “Where you go from there is determined on a daily basis. We certainly came here to run a scheme. You don’t scrap the scheme and shift and decide to do something else"

prh · Post by **prh** » Wed Oct 14, 2020 3:04 pm

Saban and Byrne both test positive. Let's see how magically nobody else tests positive and they can still play

azgreg · Post by **azgreg** » Wed Oct 14, 2020 3:38 pm

ByJoveByJingle · Post by **ByJoveByJingle** » Wed Oct 14, 2020 3:45 pm

prh wrote:Saban and Byrne both test positive. Let's see how magically nobody else tests positive and they can still play

I’m working on mustering an earnest dose of empathy.

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Wed Oct 14, 2020 4:54 pm

dmjcat wrote:Looks like our new defensive coordinator is cut from the same cloth as Sean Miller.........do what we do even if we don't have the personnel to do it. With 14 defensive lineman and only a few linebackers one would think that we would at least consider running some sort of 4 man front, either a 4-3 or 4-2-5, but no, we'll just shove a square peg into a round hole.

https://www.azdesertswarm.com/football/ ... -preseason" target="_blank

"Arizona has 14 scholarship defensive linemen available this season but only five linebackers, putting in doubt Rhoads’ plan to run a 3-4 defense.

“It changes it quite a bit from a personnel standpoint,” he said. “Where you go from there is determined on a daily basis. We certainly came here to run a scheme. You don’t scrap the scheme and shift and decide to do something else"

Square peg, round hole is a classic coordinator strategy with Sumlin. It's why Mazzone spent two years playing Khalil Tate like a drop back QB.

azgreg · Post by **azgreg** » Wed Oct 14, 2020 5:38 pm

PHXCATS · Post by **PHXCATS** » Wed Oct 14, 2020 6:01 pm

dmjcat wrote:Looks like our new defensive coordinator is cut from the same cloth as Sean Miller.........do what we do even if we don't have the personnel to do it. With 14 defensive lineman and only a few linebackers one would think that we would at least consider running some sort of 4 man front, either a 4-3 or 4-2-5, but no, we'll just shove a square peg into a round hole.

https://www.azdesertswarm.com/football/ ... -preseason" target="_blank

"Arizona has 14 scholarship defensive linemen available this season but only five linebackers, putting in doubt Rhoads’ plan to run a 3-4 defense.

“It changes it quite a bit from a personnel standpoint,” he said. “Where you go from there is determined on a daily basis. We certainly came here to run a scheme. You don’t scrap the scheme and shift and decide to do something else"

UA is projected to win one game. This is all about building force future

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Wed Oct 14, 2020 6:54 pm

PHXCATS wrote:
dmjcat wrote:Looks like our new defensive coordinator is cut from the same cloth as Sean Miller.........do what we do even if we don't have the personnel to do it. With 14 defensive lineman and only a few linebackers one would think that we would at least consider running some sort of 4 man front, either a 4-3 or 4-2-5, but no, we'll just shove a square peg into a round hole.

https://www.azdesertswarm.com/football/ ... -preseason" target="_blank

"Arizona has 14 scholarship defensive linemen available this season but only five linebackers, putting in doubt Rhoads’ plan to run a 3-4 defense.

“It changes it quite a bit from a personnel standpoint,” he said. “Where you go from there is determined on a daily basis. We certainly came here to run a scheme. You don’t scrap the scheme and shift and decide to do something else"
UA is projected to win one game. This is all about building force future

It's really dispiriting to think Sumlin would win 5 games, 4 games and 1 game in his first 3 years and HAVE a future.

azgreg · Post by **azgreg** » Wed Oct 14, 2020 7:26 pm

Merkin · Post by **Merkin** » Thu Oct 15, 2020 3:11 pm

OK Machina, where is your $20 going?

azcat49 · Post by **azcat49** » Thu Oct 15, 2020 4:52 pm

ASSU is a lock at -11. Of course i like the cats to keep it inside 14 as well so what do I know

PHXCATS · Post by **PHXCATS** » Thu Oct 15, 2020 11:04 pm

Merkin wrote:OK Machina, where is your $20 going?

I really like UA (Utah has new qb rb and defense), asu and Cal week 1

Chicat · Post by **Chicat** » Sat Oct 17, 2020 9:26 pm

TheCatInTheHat · Post by **TheCatInTheHat** » Sun Oct 18, 2020 11:41 am

azgreg wrote:

Hope McCauley's "knee issue" that Sumlin mentioned Saturday night isn't a problem through the year. I think I saw him on campus the other day with his leg wrapped and with a light brace on. Didn't look too bad while he was just standing there, but who knows. Anyway, per Sumlin, Steven Bailey and Josh Baker move up while McCauley is sidelined. Typical UArizona stuff: A player gets some recognition, and he either immediately starts to play poorly or he goes down with an injury.

azcat49 · Post by **azcat49** » Sun Oct 18, 2020 12:44 pm

One thing is they know what he can do and he had many snaps with the projected starters. They can rest him and try and develop some depth with these other guys. Hopefully it’s not a nagging injury

TheCatInTheHat · Post by **TheCatInTheHat** » Sun Oct 18, 2020 2:03 pm

That's a good point. Bailey's also a senior, but it's a great opportunity for the true freshman Baker to get more reps and show what he can do with the 1's and 2's. With McCauley and Bailey both being gone next season, that'll be fairly crucial development. And nothing for McCauley to prove; he's plug-and-play to the extent he's physically able to play. The only issue is chemistry of the line playing together, but unfortunately those guys do go down with some regularity, so different combinations have to be able to work together effectively.

azgreg · Post by **azgreg** » Sun Oct 18, 2020 2:54 pm

I've made the decision to be optimistic this season.

Chicat · Post by **Chicat** » Sun Oct 18, 2020 6:12 pm

azgreg wrote:I've made the decision to be optimistic this season.

Somebody had to.

84Cat · Post by **84Cat** » Fri Oct 23, 2020 7:52 am

TheCatInTheHat · Post by **TheCatInTheHat** » Sat Oct 24, 2020 2:18 pm

This whole season seems to be a case of feeling your way and improvising, week by week. But, at least there's a full slate of college football today (some with actual people in attendance), and a full slate of NFL games tomorrow. Having spent quite a bit of time in California this year, the Holiday Bowl decision doesn't really surprise me. The Redbox Bowl in Santa Clara and the Rose Parade are also cancelled, and it wouldn't really surprise me if they cancel the Rose Bowl and the LA Bowl at SoFi Stadium. Considering the non-conference game cancellations and the NCAA's ruling to make all teams eligible, it'll be interesting to see what the remaining bowls do, as the circumstances seem to throw the normal tie-ins up in the air. There's little doubt in my mind that many of the bowls in the South will play. If the Rose Bowl is cancelled, the Pac-12 champ may move to the Fiesta Bowl, or they might juggle things around with the Vegas Bowl in new Allegiant Stadium. If the Arizona Bowl is played at Arizona Stadium, we'll see if their normal tie-in with the MWC and the MAC hold up. It would be a supreme irony if UArizona got to play another home game there, despite a losing record, because of the situation.

Merkin · Post by **Merkin** » Sat Oct 24, 2020 2:23 pm

Since the majority of bowl games are money losers, where the teams (or in the PAC's case the conference) foots the bills, I imagine almost all the lower tier bowls will be canceled.

Just huge budget cuts to the ADs due to the pandemic, and adding in paying to play in a shitty bowl just doesn't make financial sense.

prh · Post by **prh** » Sat Oct 24, 2020 5:07 pm

Merkin wrote:Since the majority of bowl games are money losers, where the teams (or in the PAC's case the conference) foots the bills, I imagine almost all the lower tier bowls will be canceled.

Just huge budget cuts to the ADs due to the pandemic, and adding in paying to play in a shitty bowl just doesn't make financial sense.

Would they still be money losers without the normal required ticket buys?

TheCatInTheHat · Post by **TheCatInTheHat** » Sun Oct 25, 2020 12:43 pm

Not sure of the business model of minor bowls and how much revenue from providing content for TV compares to ticket revenue, as well as how much some bowls may be prepared to conduct operations through a bad year in exchange for more exposure than usual due to the various cancellations. Probably depends on their attitude and specific financial position. As to the Arizona Bowl, people can mock it all they want and say what they will about Ali Farhang, but there's been a commitment to grow it and keep it from getting swiped away, like happened with the Copper/Insight Bowl. So, it certainly could and likely should fold its tent this year. But I could also potentially see a stubborn, if possibly unwise, move to keep it going during a time of maybe low TV inventory. And, if a Pac-12 Arizona team, even with a losing record, would incur no costs and be allowed to have fans in the stadium at that point (it's already been discussed for the ASu game), that might make for somebody's idea of a better product for TV. That's the extent of my thinking, such as it is.

azgreg · Post by **azgreg** » Mon Oct 26, 2020 6:19 am

Merkin · Post by **Merkin** » Wed Oct 28, 2020 8:33 am

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