Arizona At WSU Discussion Thread

[TheCatInTheHat]

Here's their season to date, with scores, personnel, and stats. It should be about 60 degrees, cloudy, 10 per cent chance of rain and wind under 10 mph.

@ Colorado State W, 50-24
Wisconsin W, 31-22
Northern Colorado W, 64-21
Oregon State W, 38-35
- BYE -
@ UCLA L, 17-25

OFFENSE
QB 1 Cameron Ward 6-2 225 JR 68.9% 14 TD/2 INT 317.2 YPG Rushing: 19.4 YPG 3 TD
RB 25 Nakia Watson 6-0 215 RS-SR 30.6 YPG 2 TD Receiving: 12.6 YPG 2 TD
WR 5 Lincoln Victor 5-9 175 SR 84.3 YPG 3 TD
WR 2 Kyle Williams 6-0 185 JR 77.4 YPG 4 TD
WR 3 Josh Kelly 6-1 190 RS-JR 75.2 YPG 5 TD
WR 8 6-0 185 Carlos Hernandez FR 32.4 YPG
LT 61 Christian Hilborn 6-5 320 RS-SO
LG 66 Ma'ake Fifita 6-5 295 RS-JR
C 77 Konner Gomness 6-5 285 RS-JR
RG 76 Esa Pole 6-7 325 JR
RT 79 Fa'alili Fa'amoe 6-5 305 RS-SO

BENCH:
RB 30 Dylan Paine 5-9 200 RS-SO 18.2 YPG 1 TD
QB 10 John Mateer 6-1 215 RS-FR 11.8 YPG 2 TD
RB 6 Jaylen Jenkins 5-8 175 SO 10.6 YPG Receiving: 11.4 YPG
WR 9 Isaiah Hamilton 5-11 185 RS-SR 12.4 YPG
TE 24 Cooper Mathers 6-2 230 JR 26.3 YPG

DEFENSE:
DE 10 Ron Stone 6-3 245 RS-SR 23 T 3 SK
DT 15 Nusi Malani 6-4 285 JR 12 T 1 SK
DT 60 David Gusta 6-3 290 RS-SO 14 T
DE 80 Brennan Jackson 6-0 195 RS-SR 20 T 2.5 SK
LB 8 Devin Richardson 6-3 230 RS-SR 31 T 1 SK
LB 52 Kyle Thornton 6-1 220 RS-JR 36 T 1 SK
CB 6 Chau Smith-Wade 5-11 175 JR 24 T
CB 3 Cam Lampkin 5-11 175 RS-SR 14 T
S 25 Jaden Hicks 6-3 210 RS-SO 36 T 1.5 SK 1 INT
S 0 Sam Lockett 6-1 205 RS-SR 35 T .5 SK 2 INT
S 30 Jackson Lataimua 5-11 195 RS-SO 15 T 1 INT

BENCH:
CB 4 Kapena Gushiken 6-0 180 JR 16 T 1 SK 1 INT
LB 18 Taariq Al-Uqdah 6-0 225 RS-FR 11 T
DE 45 Raam Stevenson 6-4 235 RS-SO 10 T
DT 89 Na'im Rodman 6-2 305 SR 9 T

KICKING:
K 49 Dean Janikowski6-1 200 RS-JR 4-5 Long: 55
KO 19 Colton Theaker 6-3 200 SR 35 KO/31 TB 0 OB
P 38 Nick Haberer 6-5 220 JR 44.2 YPP
PR 9 Isaiah Hamilton 5-11 185 RS-SR12.0 YPR Long: 12
KR 9 Isaiah Hamilton 5-11 185 RS-SR 4 76 19.0 YPR Long: 30
KR 5 Lincoln Victor 5-9 175 SR 3 57 19.0 YPR Long: 24

[azcat49]

Ward doesn’t like pressure (what QBdoes) as his numbers go way down when pressured. That is the key defensively IMO.

They are really tough to run against. UCLA had done big plays stretching the defense with jet sweeps. We haven’t done much of that but it really worked well for the bruins. Would be great if we could get a win after playing so well the last two weeks

[Merkin]

Does UA have a long place kicker? When 50 yards is your longest attempt ever, and doesn't even come close, then maybe you should start just going for it from the 30 to the 40 on 4th down. Think it was Sumlin who used 2 place kickers but not sure.

[dmjcat]

WSU opens as a 9.5 point favorite

https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/football ... e-32701515

[KillerKlown]

Does UA have a long place kicker? When 50 yards is your longest attempt ever, and doesn't even come close, then maybe you should start just going for it from the 30 to the 40 on 4th down. Think it was Sumlin who used 2 place kickers but not sure.

Keep the offense on the field on 4th down near the 40 and if nothing is there have the qb punt the ball. I think it was Rich Rod that always did that.

[PHXCATS]

Loop barely missed that kick. What the fuck

[Merkin]

Does UA have a long place kicker? When 50 yards is your longest attempt ever, and doesn't even come close, then maybe you should start just going for it from the 30 to the 40 on 4th down. Think it was Sumlin who used 2 place kickers but not sure.

Keep the offense on the field on 4th down near the 40 and if nothing is there have the qb punt the ball. I think it was Rich Rod that always did that.

Dick Tomey with Keith Smith and the pooch punt on 3rd and long!

After Smith graduated and Ortege Jenkins took over, Tomey would call for a QB draw on 3rd and long. Needless to say, it never worked. But Tomey hated 3rd and long.

There were several reasons Tomey quit/was fired, but one of them was his emphasis on defense and running a very conservative offense. Because of that, the UA hired an offensive genius named John Mackovic who made Jason Johnson into a record setting QB.

But we all know how that worked out. UA went defensive minded again, with Mike Stoops, who refused to let Canales call any downfield plays. 3rd and long was a 2 yard bubble screen, with the WR supposed to get YAC.

When Mark Stoops moved on, we knew who the real defensive genius was and Mike was fired.

[OSUCat]

Does UA have a long place kicker? When 50 yards is your longest attempt ever, and doesn't even come close, then maybe you should start just going for it from the 30 to the 40 on 4th down. Think it was Sumlin who used 2 place kickers but not sure.

Actually, that’s why loop doesn’t have many past the 45 range because Fisch goes for it. The kick was close and clearly had enough leg. I really like loop and was really okay with kicking it but It’s from 50. It’s not like NFL kickers are automatic from 50.

[Merkin]

That kick had an awful hook to it. I would like to see a video on how close it really was but wasn't a good kick.

Certainly a tough call with 2 minutes left. Cats are 8/13 this season in 4th down conversions, which is pretty good.

But either way, a missed FG, or failed 4th down play will give SC good field position. Punting was also another alternative, to pin SC back and make them drive the field with 2 minutes left. Ostendorp has 7 of his 16 punts in the 20. But already shanked one punt.

No really good options unfortunately. With all the trick plays Fisch has tried with no success, a fake punt might have been worth a shot.

[EastCoastCat]

That kick had an awful hook to it. I would like to see a video on how close it really was but wasn't a good kick.

Certainly a tough call with 2 minutes left. Cats are 8/13 this season in 4th down conversions, which is pretty good.

But either way, a missed FG, or failed 4th down play will give SC good field position. Punting was also another alternative, to pin SC back and make them drive the field with 2 minutes left. Ostendorp has 7 of his 16 punts in the 20. But already shanked one punt.

No really good options unfortunately. With all the trick plays Fisch has tried with no success, a fake punt might have been worth a shot.

A fake punt with 2 minutes left in a tie game when you are in field goal range? Seriously? That makes zero sense. The kick wasn’t good but Loop had the distance.

The problem with play calling on that final drive was the first down long throw to TMac when he was double covered. We were gashing their defense with runs and short throws.

[Merkin]

That was the call that changed the game, put the Cats 2nd and 10.

Loop has been perfect under 40 yards his entire 3 year career.

He is 6-11 40 yards or more and never even attempted one 50 yards or more.

Not as bad as Dick Tomey putting Mark McDonald out there with 2 seconds left after missing 10 in a row, but it seems the chance for a good field goal was only fair, maybe 50% being generous.

UA has made over 60% of its 4th down attempts.

I have no confidence whatsoever in Loop making a long field goal. Fisch sure changed his MO on going for it from the 35-40.

[Chicat]

Said this before the season. No upsets so we are right where I thought we’d be. Unfortunately Wazzu is much better than I thought they’d be.

That week 7 game at Wazzu looms large. Do we go into the bye week above .500 or coming off a bunch of losses in a row. For our psyche and chances of making a bowl, I feel like that’s a tough must-win.

[AzCatFan2]

Loop has the leg. Distance from 50 wasn't the issue. It just hooked. Tough call. Unless Loop makes it and we go on to win, there are going to be complaints. Make it, and the way Williams and SC were going, they likely score a TD and win in regulation.

The bad call was the play fake and deep shot into double coverage to TMac. With the clock winding down, we didn't need to go deep and score, unless the play was absolutely open. And it wasn't even close to being open. And with Loop being almost automatic from inside 40, why not try to run and dink pass to run as much clock as possible before kicking? I'd also say we should have gone for 2 at the end of the first OT. One play, 2 yards to beat SC? Go for it.

Against WSU, it will be interesting. How are both teams' mental states? WSU's offense looked bad against what we thought was an average UCLA D, and the Cougs lost a game they probably marked as a W at the beginning of the season. We've fought hard for two straight weeks against teams in the top 10, but came up 9 points short. Do we continue to fight, or do we have a let down?

[EastCoastCat]

Too bad the game has to be played at that high school stadium and more than likely in shitty weather.

[KillerKlown]

Too bad the game has to be played at that high school stadium and more than likely in shitty weather.

Hey you watch it. That's the future gem of the MWC your talkin' 'bout there.

[TheCatInTheHat]

Per the first post, it should be about 60 degrees, cloudy, 10 per cent chance of rain and wind under 10 mph, which is just about perfect football weather. It's nice we catch them in mid-October up there for the last time, instead of November. Can't remember the year (maybe '82?), but Larry Smith took a team up there in late October or November, and they played an afternoon game that was like the Ice Bowl, with snow piled up along the sidelines and end zones. It got even colder, as the game finished after dark, and the frozen astroturf was rock hard. I think Tunnicliffe was out with an injury, so Smith just ran the ball. IIRC, he attempted one pass in the second half, which was incomplete. If not for that, they would have won the game without a pass attempt. But at that time, WSU was pretty bad. This will be another very difficult assignment.

[Irish27]

[Merkin]

It is simply amazing how much more successful WSU has been in football in comparison to UA. Mike Price and Mike Leach did wonders out there in the middle of nowhere with a terrible facilities and climate. Price took 2 teams to the Rose Bowl. The Palouse was a hot spot for QBs though then, not sure if it still is.

[Carcassdragger]

It is simply amazing how much more successful WSU has been in football in comparison to UA. Mike Price and Mike Leach did wonders out there in the middle of nowhere with a terrible facilities and climate. Price took 2 teams to the Rose Bowl. The Palouse was a hot spot for QBs though then, not sure if it still is.

Exactly this. It's why I still have hope for Arizona after all these years.

[ASUHATER!]

Too bad the game has to be played at that high school stadium and more than likely in shitty weather.

Says 64 degrees and partly cloudy in Pullman Saturday

[EastCoastCat]

Too bad the game has to be played at that high school stadium and more than likely in shitty weather.

Says 64 degrees and partly cloudy in Pullman Saturday

Yeah, they are always accurate 6 days out.

[ASUHATER!]

5 days and usually yeah nowadays it is. It's not going to suddenly snow on Saturday.

[CopaCat]

5 days and usually yeah nowadays it is. It's not going to suddenly snow on Saturday.

Annnnnnd now there is a 20 to 30% chance of rain according to NWS Forecasts. With increased modeling I would argue Forecasts are generally ok, but not very accurate in terms of fine details. To many models and they usually give differing information until about 2, maybe 3 days out. 5 days is a crapshoot in terms of temp, wind, and in many situations even moisture.

[84Cat]

In the PNW, forecasts don't mean shit. Half the time it rans it's not in the forecast and it's been rainy and dreary a lot up here the last month

[EastCoastCat]

When I turn on the game and it's another dreary day in Pullman I want some apologies...

[azgreg]

[84Cat]

[Merkin]

Reads like he is getting a lot of blowback and is getting an out ready.

[PHXCATS]

Coaches do not get fired for not listening to fans

[Merkin]

Coaches do not get fired for not listening to fans

They do listen to boosters, the AD and campus administration.

[Chicat]

Please let Fifita play. My remote control cannot take another 4-INT DeLaura performance.

[azcat49]

I am sure DeLaura wants to play against his old team and after last year. This has huge upside or downside written all over it.

He either try’s to hard to make plays (his norm) or plays in control and executes the game plan to a T. I just can’t see him being someone he isn’t.

In this most critical game I would hold him out and get him ready for a home game where he would very much be 100%

[EastCoastCat]

I will be sorely disappointed if Fifita doesn't get the start.

[Carcassdragger]

Jedd is a very good coach and knows his team. Whatever he decides is good.

[dmjcat]

Reads like he is getting a lot of blowback and is getting an out ready.

Hogwash.

Jedd is going to play whomever he thinks gives him the best chance of winning.......Period

[AZCatGirl]

Reads like he is getting a lot of blowback and is getting an out ready.

Hogwash.

Jedd is going to play whomever he thinks gives him the best chance of winning.......Period

Then he should announce Fifita is the new starter.

[dmjcat]

Reads like he is getting a lot of blowback and is getting an out ready.

Hogwash.

Jedd is going to play whomever he thinks gives him the best chance of winning.......Period

Then he should announce Fifita is the new starter.

Jedd may have a different opinion

[84Cat]

[UAEebs86]

When I turn on the game and it's another dreary day in Pullman I want some apologies...

[EastCoastCat]

When I turn on the game and it's another dreary day in Pullman I want some apologies...

Good. Then we better fucking win.

[dmjcat]

When I turn on the game and it's another dreary day in Pullman I want some apologies...

Good. Then we better fucking win.

"Better Fucking win"???

You do realize we are 7.5 point dogs in this game?? We are supposed to lose.

https://www.fanduel.com/research/washin ... 10-14-2023

[KillerKlown]

Reads like he is getting a lot of blowback and is getting an out ready.

Hogwash.

Jedd is going to play whomever he thinks gives him the best chance of winning.......Period

Then he should announce Fifita is the new starter.

Gotta keep the enemy guessing.

[Captain Obvious]

It won't matter who the quarterback is. This game has disaster written all over it. WSU is coming off a loss and Arizona is coming off two losses where they found even more new ways to lose. I could see them hanging 50+ on us easily. We don't match up well with Wazzu. It's hard to believe how much of a better football program WSU has had than Arizona historically and with limited resources. Hopefully the curse will be lifted heading into a new conference but it's not likely.

[AZCatGirl]

The road to Pullman is even more boring than I thought it was. So glad we'll never have to travel there again.

[azgreg]

It won't matter who the quarterback is. This game has disaster written all over it. WSU is coming off a loss and Arizona is coming off two losses where they found even more new ways to lose. I could see them hanging 50+ on us easily. We don't match up well with Wazzu. It's hard to believe how much of a better football program WSU has had than Arizona historically and with limited resources. Hopefully the curse will be lifted heading into a new conference but it's not likely.

Don’t be ashamed of who you are. That’s your parent’s job.

[EastCoastCat]

When I turn on the game and it's another dreary day in Pullman I want some apologies...

Good. Then we better fucking win.

"Better Fucking win"???

You do realize we are 7.5 point dogs in this game?? We are supposed to lose.

https://www.fanduel.com/research/washin ... 10-14-2023

I guess we shouldn’t even show up because FanDuel says so.

Done with moral victories. Time for this program to sit at the grownups table.

The time to win is now.

[dmjcat]

When I turn on the game and it's another dreary day in Pullman I want some apologies...

Good. Then we better fucking win.

"Better Fucking win"???

You do realize we are 7.5 point dogs in this game?? We are supposed to lose.

https://www.fanduel.com/research/washin ... 10-14-2023

I guess we shouldn’t even show up because FanDuel says so.

Done with moral victories. Time for this program to sit at the grownups table.

The time to win is now.

ALL of the sports books have WSU favored.

There is a difference between a realistic fan who knows his team has a chance to steal a win on the road against a favored team and an Unrealistic fan who expects we "Better fucking win".

Regarding the "moral victories" you are upset with you do realize those losses were both against Top 10 teams?. Hardly anything for AZ to be ashamed about.

[EastCoastCat]

Good. Then we better fucking win.

"Better Fucking win"???

You do realize we are 7.5 point dogs in this game?? We are supposed to lose.

https://www.fanduel.com/research/washin ... 10-14-2023

I guess we shouldn’t even show up because FanDuel says so.

Done with moral victories. Time for this program to sit at the grownups table.

The time to win is now.

ALL of the sports books have WSU favored.

There is a difference between a realistic fan who knows his team has a chance to steal a win on the road against a favored team and an Unrealistic fan who expects we "Better fucking win".

Regarding the "moral victories" you are upset with you do realize those losses were both against Top 10 teams?. Hardly anything for AZ to be ashamed about.

You are a moron. The “better fucking win” was tongue ‘n cheek response to the back and forth I was having regarding the Pullman weather.

I know what the odds and probability of us winning are Einstein. I’m the last one you need to lecture on who we’ve played and lost to.

WSU is not an Alabama or a Georgia. They are a nice team but not world beaters. I want this team to turn the corner tonight, not when we are favored which might not be until the last game of the season.

I don’t really care if you agree with me or not. That’s how I feel.

[dmjcat]

Good. Then we better fucking win.

"Better Fucking win"???

You do realize we are 7.5 point dogs in this game?? We are supposed to lose.

https://www.fanduel.com/research/washin ... 10-14-2023

I guess we shouldn’t even show up because FanDuel says so.

Done with moral victories. Time for this program to sit at the grownups table.

The time to win is now.

ALL of the sports books have WSU favored.

There is a difference between a realistic fan who knows his team has a chance to steal a win on the road against a favored team and an Unrealistic fan who expects we "Better fucking win".

Regarding the "moral victories" you are upset with you do realize those losses were both against Top 10 teams?. Hardly anything for AZ to be ashamed about.

You are a moron. The “better fucking win” was tongue ‘n cheek response to the back and forth I was having regarding the Pullman weather.

I know what the odds and probability of us winning are Einstein. I’m the last one you need to lecture on who we’ve played and lost to.

WSU is not an Alabama or a Georgia. They are a nice team but not world beaters. I want this team to turn the corner tonight, not when we are favored which might not be until the last game of the season.

I don’t really care if you agree with me or not. That’s how I feel.

Now you are into name calling??? For Christs sake grow up.

[pc in NM]

Vegas odds have nothing to do with bookmakers’ judgement of relative team quality, strength or performance expectation.

The bookmakers’ sole job is to determine what bettors’ perception of team quality are, and to set odds with the intent to have relatively equal wagering on both sides of the wagers.