Game plans

[catgrad97]

OK, now that Rick Neuheisel and Curtis Conway have screwed with RichRod mojo by both picking Arizona to win the Pac-12 championship, down to business.

On Friday, how will Arizona approach Oregon, and vice versa, on both sides of the ball? My thoughts:

Arizona offense: Test the tackles, then the edges, with Wilson, although I'd like to see Anu go deep and work the Ducks' defensive backs early as Oregon will be keying on the Cats' running game. Bring back the wheel route and play-action opposite-field passes.

Arizona defense: Don't get caught down the middle in single coverage, as Grandon has been hit-and-miss his whole career providing help on the long ball. Shift Scooby all over the line to avoid the double teams sure to come from the "new and improved" Oregon offensive line. Bump and run tightly and from the LOS (please?).

Oregon defense: Pinches on Wilson and makes Anu Solomon beat the Ducks. Look for Helfrich to load some uncharacteristic blitzes around the edge on some unusual downs early to get Anu out of the pocket and rattled. They know that Solomon prefers to hand off in the zone read and is nowhere close to the run threat Mariota is. Try to force him to commit an early turnover.

Oregon offense: Quick routes. Get the O going with hitch passes, jamming the defensive backs with blocks by multiple receivers repeatedly to force a play that will eventually break open. Pinch convincingly towards the middle but only go there in a four- or five-receiver formation. Otherwise, stay away from Scooby, including Freeman.

It will ultimately be very interesting to see who wants this game more. Revenge vs. the chip on the shoulder--barring stupid mistakes, that clash will keep us all on our couches until the 10 o'clock news, easily.

[azcat49]

I heard they use a cover 4 with deep safeties to keep everything in front of them and limit Oregon big plays. They try to make them drive the whole field which they haven't been able to do well.

We run more to control the clock and get first downs. I think we have had 30 plus minutes of TOP in the 2 wins and I think 29 first downs each game.

[azgreg]

If there is a better team than Oregon in YAC I haven't seen them.

[azpenguin]

Contain, contain, contain. If they get yardage just keep them in front of you and let them come to you instead of attacking. Oregon thrives on defenders attacking their playmakers in space because that often results in a quick juke and then the ball carrier is gone.

Blitz Scooby early and often. Make their O-line earn their keep and give the rest of the D-line a chance to get into the backfield. Even with them getting healthier, I think AZ can get some sacks.

Oh, and if Mariota hands off or pitches the ball, do not lose sight of him. I'd love to see Casteel leave a safety back if they pitch the ball; a pick on one of those throwback plays to Mariota would get in their heads something fierce.

[catgrad97]

Good defensive ideas guys. How do you think we attack besides with Wilson?

Because I'm 99 percent certain Oregon's going to key on him and make Anu beat them.

[Alieberman]

We're bringing back Gronk.

[Merkin]

Rally Tits. Already loaded by MyTwoCents.

[AZCatGirl]

Save the rally tits in case they're needed tomorrow. No sense on wasting them tonight.

And here's a game plan... play Arizona football on offense!

[catgrad97]

Like I feared, they keyed on Wilson and made Solomon beat them. And it's working.