Washington at Arizona discussion thread

azgreg · Post by **azgreg** » Sun Sep 24, 2023 1:49 pm

The D will get tested this weekend.

dmjcat · Post by **dmjcat** » Sun Sep 24, 2023 1:56 pm

azgreg wrote: ↑Sun Sep 24, 2023 1:49 pm The D will get tested this weekend.

"Tested" is a serious understatement.

The one hope that I have is that Udub has had some issues on the road and with their defense on occasion. asu (which wasn't all that good last year) beat them up in Tempe last season in a shoot-out. Penix threw a Pick 6 that was the difference in the game. Thats probably the best we can hope for.

https://www.espn.com/college-football/g ... /401404009

azcat49 · Post by **azcat49** » Sun Sep 24, 2023 2:12 pm

They do tend to struggle in the state of Arizona for some reason so there’s that.

If we get off to a slow start it could get ugly quick but I think our defense actually gets some pressure on Penix this year. Hopefully it’s a competitive game

tgrumpy2 · Post by **tgrumpy2** » Sun Sep 24, 2023 2:55 pm

azcat49 wrote: ↑Sun Sep 24, 2023 2:12 pm They do tend to struggle in the state of Arizona for some reason so there’s that.

If we get off to a slow start it could get ugly quick but I think our defense actually gets some pressure on Penix this year. Hopefully it’s a competitive game

We do tend to be slow starters this season. We get off to a slow start against these guys and we could be down 28 to zip before we can blink. Whoever starts at QB for us this week, please have your A game.

azgreg · Post by **azgreg** » Sun Sep 24, 2023 3:36 pm

Washington opens at -17.5.

PHXCATS · Post by **PHXCATS** » Sun Sep 24, 2023 4:24 pm

azgreg wrote: ↑Sun Sep 24, 2023 3:36 pm Washington opens at -17.5.

Wrong

Got UA at +21

azgreg · Post by **azgreg** » Sun Sep 24, 2023 4:34 pm

PHXCATS wrote: ↑Sun Sep 24, 2023 4:24 pm
azgreg wrote: ↑Sun Sep 24, 2023 3:36 pm Washington opens at -17.5.
Wrong

Got UA at +21

Where?
Draftkings has it at -18, Fandual has it at -17.5, and BetMGM has it at -17.5.

PHXCATS · Post by **PHXCATS** » Sun Sep 24, 2023 5:02 pm

Got fan Duel at 21

dmjcat · Post by **dmjcat** » Sun Sep 24, 2023 6:22 pm

-21, -17, it really doesn't matter, UW obviously has significantly more talent than we do to be favored by that much on the road.

If I am Fisch I am going to gamble on defense and blitz 5/6 on nearly every obvious passing down. We are not going to play our base defense and win. We do not have the secondary to guard the UW receiving corps. I think our only hope is to hit (more than once) Penix hard and get him in a nervous state of mind early.

OSUCat · Post by **OSUCat** » Sun Sep 24, 2023 7:13 pm

Fisch is going to drain the clock and try to limit UW possessions. Well as long as Arizona is in the lead or down by only 7. On defense, I would expect a bunch of bending with two deep safeties to keep everything in front of them. Basically, hope UW mess up on its way down the field or cause them to settle for field goals.

But hey, it’s always possible to pull out the Scooby vs Oregon defense.

KillerKlown · Post by **KillerKlown** » Sun Sep 24, 2023 8:21 pm

Have to limit YAC. Any Maldonado like misses and they have the talent to take it the house.

TheCatInTheHat · Post by **TheCatInTheHat** » Mon Sep 25, 2023 10:56 am

Read it and weep. They seemingly have everything. If anybody cries that they've lost a running back and a center and are otherwise a little dinged-up, don't buy it. They're deep and big and athletic and fast. For them, it really is just Next Man Up.

Boise St W 56-19
Tulsa W 43-10
@ Michigan St W 41-7
Cal W 59-32

Offense:
9 QB Michael Penix SR 6-3 215 74.64 % 409.00 YPG 16 TD/2 INT
7 RB Dillon Johnson JR 6-0 220 49.67 YPG 2 TD
1 WR Rome Odunze JR 6-3 215 4 TD 136.00 YPG
2 WR Ja’Lynn Polk SO 6-2 205 4 TD 106.75 YPG
11 WR Jalen McMillan JR 6-1 190 3 TD 103.67 YPG
37 TE Jack Westover SR 6-3 250 4 TD 28.50 YPG
55 LT Troy Fautanu JR 6-4 315
77 LG Julius Buelow JR 6-8 315
72 C Parker Brailsford RS-FR 6-2 275
71 RG Nate Kalepo JR 6-6 325
73 RT Roger Rosengarten SO 6-6 300

Bench:
20 RB Tybo Rogers FR 5-11 185 43.50 YPG
8 RB Will Nixon SO 5-11 200 30.25 YPG
4 WR Germie Bernard SO 6-1 205 1 TD 33.25 YPG

Defense:
4 DE Zion Tupuola-Fetui SR 6-4 255 7.0 T 2.0 SACKS
68 NG Ale Ulumoo SR 6-6 325 4.0 T
91 DT Tuli Letuligasenoa SR 6-1 290 6.0 T
8 DE Bralen Trice JR 6-4 275 9.0 T
5 LB Edefuan Ulofoshio SR 6-1 235 21.0 T 1.0 SACKS 1 INT
11 LB Alphonzo Tuputala JR 6-2 240 14.0 T
25 CB Elijah Jackson SO 6-1 190 13.0 T
1 CB Jabbar Muhammad JR 5-10 185 8.0 T 1.0 SACKS 1 INT
9 CB Thaddeus Dixon JR 6-1 190 7.0 T
7 SS Dominique Hampton SR 6-3 220 23.0 T 1 INT
12 FS Tristan Dunn RS-FR 6-4 200 8.0 T

Bench:
42 LB Carson Bruener JR 6-2 225 14.0 T 1 INT
10 LB Ralen Goforth SR 6-2 235 10.0 T
13 S Kamren Fabiculanan JR 6-1 195 6.0 T 2 INT
52 DE Voi Tunuufi JR 6-1 260 8.0 T 1.0 SACKS

Kicking:
38 P Jack McCallister SO 6-0 215 42.56 YPP
95 K Grady Gross SO 6-3 295 FIELD GOALS: 3-4 FG LONG 41 / KICKOFFS: 15-34 TB 2 OB
1 PR Rome Odunze JR 6-3 215 43.50 YPR LONG: 83 1 TD
4 KR Germie Bernard SO 6-1 205 23.00 YPR LONG: 51

Chicat · Post by **Chicat** » Mon Sep 25, 2023 11:29 am

If JDL is out there throwing interceptions like he’s got money on the Huskies, they’re going to blow us out of the water.

Protect the ball and eat up clock on long drives. Keep it close and anything can happen.

azgreg · Post by **azgreg** » Mon Sep 25, 2023 11:33 am

azcat49 · Post by **azcat49** » Mon Sep 25, 2023 11:42 am

I just don’t see any way we Trot JDL out there. That sprain looked pretty bad and it’s his push off foot.

Hoping we show new red tops with white pant and our white helmets

TheCatInTheHat · Post by **TheCatInTheHat** » Mon Sep 25, 2023 1:05 pm

Chicat wrote: ↑Mon Sep 25, 2023 11:29 am If JDL is out there throwing interceptions like he’s got money on the Huskies, they’re going to blow us out of the water.

Protect the ball and eat up clock on long drives. Keep it close and anything can happen.

Well, if we're looking for hopeful signs, MSU held them to 41, and Cal scored 32 on them. But, while our defense seems improved, the offense seems to have regressed this season so far. With a spread of 17.5 and an O/U of 110, it sounds like a pretty wild shootout is expected. Not that it particularly works, but if you split the difference between what each team averages versus what it gives up, it comes in at 33-23 U-dub. But, we'll have a sold-out red-out going, and we beat them once at Arizona Stadium when they were ranked #1. Players and fans alike live for games like this, so let's tee it up, let her rip, and we'll see what happens.

EastCoastCat · Post by **EastCoastCat** » Mon Sep 25, 2023 1:22 pm

Good thing it will be a red out because this game may likely turn out to be a bloodbath...

Udub is really, really good.

TheCatInTheHat · Post by **TheCatInTheHat** » Tue Sep 26, 2023 9:59 am

No doubt we'll get boat-raced more than once this season, either by significantly stronger teams, or when we're beat up. It's still an interesting process to try and find those three remaining needed wins, unexpected or otherwise.

As for this week's red-out game, from Seth Rogen's very fun version of The Green Hornet:

"I am Bloodnofsky! I killed a thousand before and I'll kill a thousand more! Now tremble before your death! For be it my mask, or your blood, red will be the last color you ever see!"

EastCoastCat · Post by **EastCoastCat** » Tue Sep 26, 2023 1:55 pm

Yeah, well words unfortunately don't make tackles. I expect this one to get ugly.

CopaCat · Post by **CopaCat** » Tue Sep 26, 2023 2:18 pm

I'm thinking this one will be much more interesting than we are expecting. Only if Fifita starts though. The kid is a winner and a savvy smarter version of JDL. Go Cats!

azcat49 · Post by **azcat49** » Tue Sep 26, 2023 6:02 pm

Supposed to be very windy Saturday night. Winds at 20MPH with higher gusts. Maybe it slows their passing attack. If we can run it maybe we can limit possessions

CatsbyAZ · Post by **CatsbyAZ** » Thu Sep 28, 2023 8:22 am

EastCoastCat wrote: ↑Mon Sep 25, 2023 1:22 pm Udub is really, really good.

To say I'm not confident about facing Washington is a major understatment. I severely underrated the Huskies going into the season, thinking their defense would take a step back and major losses on the OL would slow the offense.

Instead the UW has absolutely torched everyone in their path. Last Saturday, without their best WR (McMillan) and facing an experienced Cal secondary, Penix had no problem lighting the Bears up for over 300 yards.

Penix is unstoppable. The ball flies right out of his throws. It's costly to throw bodies at him because he recognizes blitzes right away. Two of his receiving targets have NFL futures (McMillan, Odunze) with two more potentially as just good down the road (Polk, Bernard).

Only thing that slows up UW this season is injuries.

AzCatFan2 · Post by **AzCatFan2** » Thu Sep 28, 2023 9:18 am

I think the best way to slow down UW is to play ball control and 2-deep, keeping everyone in front of you. Isn't the most exciting, but if Penix has one weakness, it's he'll occasionally go for a homerun ball instead of taking what the D gives them. Try to keep the UW offense off the field, and make them go 5 to 6 yards at a time, and maybe you get Penix a little frustrated and he makes a rare mistake? Much easier said than done.

Any report on Wiley's health? Thankfully, we have a good stable at RB, but Wiley is the best receiver in the group, and very good at blitz pick-up.

azcat49 · Post by **azcat49** » Thu Sep 28, 2023 9:29 am

As above we have to try and control tempo. Cover two and keep guys in front of you. Have to get some pressure with our front 4. I would imagine we will play a lot of that 3-1-7 defense Nansen likes. Question there is can we get enough pressure on Penix

On offense we need to be a first down machine. Our improved OLine needs to show we can run the ball consistently. Winds are supposed to be high (20MPH) so if we can grind it out and limit possessions we can keep it close.

I think Fafita starts so at least we will get a look at having him under center.

PHXCATS · Post by **PHXCATS** » Thu Sep 28, 2023 10:22 am

azcat49 wrote: ↑Thu Sep 28, 2023 9:29 am As above we have to try and control tempo. Cover two and keep guys in front of you. Have to get some pressure with our front 4. I would imagine we will play a lot of that 3-1-7 defense Nansen likes. Question there is can we get enough pressure on Penix

On offense we need to be a first down machine. Our improved OLine needs to show we can run the ball consistently. Winds are supposed to be high (20MPH) so if we can grind it out and limit possessions we can keep it close.

I think Fafita starts so at least we will get a look at having him under center.

I agree that the wind absolutely helps U of A. U of A has the better running attack and the better run defense.

azgreg · Post by **azgreg** » Thu Sep 28, 2023 11:21 am

azcat49 · Post by **azcat49** » Thu Sep 28, 2023 11:24 am

So great to see Kevin going strong after his battle with Cancer. Fortunately he had a twin and it worked out perfectly.

azgreg · Post by **azgreg** » Thu Sep 28, 2023 4:36 pm

azgreg · Post by **azgreg** » Thu Sep 28, 2023 5:28 pm

azgreg · Post by **azgreg** » Fri Sep 29, 2023 6:03 pm

Fishclamps · Post by **Fishclamps** » Fri Sep 29, 2023 6:22 pm

Fifita time!

UAEebs86 · Post by **UAEebs86** » Fri Sep 29, 2023 8:05 pm

Carcassdragger · Post by **Carcassdragger** » Fri Sep 29, 2023 9:16 pm

We need turnovers!

azgreg · Post by **azgreg** » Sat Sep 30, 2023 10:19 am

FreeSpiritCat · Post by **FreeSpiritCat** » Sat Sep 30, 2023 10:45 am

Fifita is likely to start. That makes tonight more interesting. Fifita has a good head on his shoulders. We might have found another Nick Foles. Fifita has not looked good in practice over the season.

Postmaster · Post by **Postmaster** » Sat Sep 30, 2023 12:42 pm

UAEebs86 wrote: ↑Fri Sep 29, 2023 8:05 pm

They don’t eat or drink much.

Postmaster · Post by **Postmaster** » Sat Sep 30, 2023 12:45 pm

Does it get that windy on the field now that the stadium is pretty much enclosed?

The pole vault competition might have some issues if it’s that windy.

FreeSpiritCat · Post by **FreeSpiritCat** » Sat Sep 30, 2023 1:00 pm

Postmaster wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 12:45 pm Does it get that windy on the field now that the stadium is pretty much enclosed?

The pole vault competition might have some issues if it’s that windy.

This will be good for the Cats. To win they need to play ball control. We have the OL and skilled backs to do this, even though Wiley is out. 20 mph winds has to effect the passing game, especially long passes. That plays into the Cats favor. Also, Fifita plays smart football. He takes what is given him. No nonsense and methodical. The intangibles are on the Cats side. A sell-out crowd, red out, weather. If the Cats can stay in the game early, the Cats have a puncher's chance.

gouacats · Post by **gouacats** » Sat Sep 30, 2023 1:08 pm

Wind down to 10-13 mph by game time. I don’t think it’s going to be a factor.

dovecanyoncat · Post by **dovecanyoncat** » Sat Sep 30, 2023 1:17 pm

Postmaster wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 12:42 pm
UAEebs86 wrote: ↑Fri Sep 29, 2023 8:05 pm

They don’t eat or drink much.

A t best that's either an alcoholic who doesn't eat or someone on a diet who shuns alcohol.

PHXCATS · Post by **PHXCATS** » Sat Sep 30, 2023 1:30 pm

gouacats wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 1:08 pm Wind down to 10-13 mph by game time. I don’t think it’s going to be a factor.

Any word on gusts. That matters more than a steady 15MPH wind

FreeSpiritCat · Post by **FreeSpiritCat** » Sat Sep 30, 2023 1:50 pm

Obviously nobody will expect the Cats to win. What I want to see is being competitive and improvement. As the conference is beginning to unfold I see games we could win that I didn't think was possible a couple weeks ago. USC is beatable. Without Cam Rising at Utah they aren't very good, especially on offense. Winning in Boulder will be tough. I think the Arizona vs Oregon State game will be fun.

I am still not sure where the Cats will land. The story is still being written. I can see the potential. Tonight is a big game, win or lose. The Cats need to compete. If we keep the game close I could see the Cats qualifying for a bowl easily. I can't wait for the game tonight. I want to see what Fifita is capable of doing. How good Jonah Coleman is (and Speedy Luke). I think Tanner McLochlan could have a big game.

I hope the Cats make a statement tonight.

azgreg · Post by **azgreg** » Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:15 pm

Postmaster · Post by **Postmaster** » Sat Sep 30, 2023 10:28 pm

The host on post game, on PAC 12 net just called us asu

AZCatGirl · Post by **AZCatGirl** » Sat Sep 30, 2023 11:09 pm

Impressed with how close this game ended up being. If Fifita can stay our QB we could have a very solid team going into the B12 next year.

Carcassdragger · Post by **Carcassdragger** » Sun Oct 01, 2023 8:53 am

Two close losses to more recognized football programs. It's time for this team to learn how to win.

azcat49 · Post by **azcat49** » Sun Oct 01, 2023 9:31 am

Right in between lose close and win close. That Miss St game will haunt us all year like Cal last year but we will get a big win here soon I think

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