Bear Down Wildcats

Merkin wrote:

Newportcat wrote: All WR's/TE's back

Tyrell Johnson and Trevor Wood are quite sad they are already forgotten!

Although Tyrell was a huge disappointment with his fantastic world class speed. Trevor of course beaten out by a true frosh, so good luck to him.

Very good class of true freshmen now becoming sophomores.

2. Noel Mazzone Arizona
Projected 2018: #13
This looks like a homer call and I can assure you it isn't; so much turnover. Mazzone is a solid, but rarely spectacular OC. He can make your tank as QB work-ish, like with Trevor Knight, and he can generate some very good offenses with an experienced signal caller. His A&M offenses ranked #44 in 2017 and #39 in 2016. He was pretty good at UCLA with freshman Rosen at #30 and very good in Brett Hundley's senior season at #15. He has a a track record with QB's that suggests he works best with guys who are more passer than runner and he has worked with some really big names in his career. The tough thing for Mazzone is that Arizona was so good on offense last year behind Tate's legs and while that was a great trick, it was about the only card up Rich Rod's sleeve. If Mazzone can keep Arizona in the top #20 offenses that would be a very good year for him.

9. Marcel Yates Arizona
Projected 2018: #99
Yates was retained by new coach Kevin Sumlin, in a move that I found a little surprising even with their history together. Yates took over a terrible defense #108 and in two years; has been terrible (#125, #116). Yates is deservedly the worst ranked DC with something of a Pac-12 DC track record to look at, but there is reason to be optimistic in 2018. Yates goes back to his preferred 4-2-5 and Arizona's problems seem like more roster than XO's and playcalling. With young players maturing and returning I expect Arizona to jump into the #70's.

ChooChooCat wrote:Who's Juice?

Merkin wrote:

ChooChooCat wrote:Who's Juice?

There is only one.

Tatanka wrote:Andy Vaughn would be a big hire.

azcat49 wrote:On those early lines, I assume UDub is at home vs Auburn? If so I really like the dawgs to cover that one

DrWildcat wrote:UW vs Auburn is the Chick-fil-A kickoff game in Atlanta.

Arizona has to hope that Sumlin’s first-year magic continues in Tucson.

In his first year as Purdue’s receivers coach (1998), the Boilermakers won nine games and pulled a classic Alamo Bowl upset of Kansas State.

In his first year as A&M’s receivers coach (2001), the Aggies improved from seven to eight wins and won their first bowl in six years. (Okay, this one’s a bit tenuous. Go with it.)

In his first year as Oklahoma’s tight ends and special teams coach (2003), the Sooners started 11-0 and reached their first BCS title game in three years.

In his first year as Houston’s head coach (2008), his Cougars needed a few weeks to get their footing but finished the season 7-2 and scored their first bowl win in 28 years.

In his first year as A&M’s head coach (2012) ... Heisman, 11 wins, upset of Alabama, etc.

I’m not going to say the stars are aligning, but he’s got pieces. Not only is Tate back, but so are star running back J.J. Taylor and Tate’s top three receivers (Tony Ellison, Shun Brown, and Shawn Poindexter), not to mention a three-year starter at left tackle (Layth Friekh) and a two-year starting center (Nathan Eldridge).

Perhaps more importantly, a defense that was beset by freshmanitis returns most of last year’s production and might not be quite as much of an albatross — in Tate’s nine games as the lead QB, Arizona allowed 39.8 points per game, which meant Tate had to be nearly perfect. S&P+ projects the Wildcats a friendly 33rd overall, but the schedule is aligned for maximum close-game drama, with six games projected within 4.2 points.

If Chip Kelly’s UCLA isn’t the most fascinating team in the Pac-12, Arizona is.

ANGCatFan wrote:
100 Days! I've added my grandson (who is believe it or not 100 days old today) to the countdown team and he is ready for his first Arizona football season.

ANGCatFan wrote:

100 Days! I've added my grandson (who is believe it or not 100 days old today) to the countdown team and he is ready for his first Arizona football season.

ANGCatFan wrote:

100 Days! I've added my grandson (who is believe it or not 100 days old today) to the countdown team and he is ready for his first Arizona football season.

btfd16 wrote:

Technically not this season, but got an A&M transfer

Newportcat wrote:

btfd16 wrote:

Technically not this season, but got an A&M transfer

Nice! Could use all the OL help we can get. He was a walk-on last year from IMG but played in 5 games so my assumption is we offered him a scholie to transfer and he jumped on it

Anyone hear anything on Andrew Mike. Tucson kid who played first 4 years at Florida and now is a Grad Transer? Felt he would be a really nice pick up

UAEebs86 wrote:

Newportcat wrote:

btfd16 wrote:

Technically not this season, but got an A&M transfer

Nice! Could use all the OL help we can get. He was a walk-on last year from IMG but played in 5 games so my assumption is we offered him a scholie to transfer and he jumped on it

Anyone hear anything on Andrew Mike. Tucson kid who played first 4 years at Florida and now is a Grad Transer? Felt he would be a really nice pick up

My son works with someone who knows his family and he heard that Mike definitely wants to come here.

azgreg wrote:Took a quick look in the Athlons magazine today and they have the Cats finishing 8-4 (5-4) third in the South and in the Sun Bowl. I'll take it.

btfd16 wrote:

Technically not this season, but got an A&M transfer

Newportcat wrote:

btfd16 wrote:

Technically not this season, but got an A&M transfer

Since he walked on at A&M he is eligible right away!

Newportcat wrote:

btfd16 wrote:

Technically not this season, but got an A&M transfer

Since he walked on at A&M he is eligible right away!

btfd16 wrote:If I remember correctly, Baker was supposed to be eligible immediately but Kliff blocked the in-conference right?

ASUHATER! wrote:Still all late home games but it looks like Tate and Sumlin have gotten us off the PAC 12 network. A noon Eastern ABC game for Tate to shine against Houston. May end up having like 7 ABC/ESPN games next season.

PHXCATS wrote:

ASUHATER! wrote:Still all late home games but it looks like Tate and Sumlin have gotten us off the PAC 12 network. A noon Eastern ABC game for Tate to shine against Houston. May end up having like 7 ABC/ESPN games next season.

You do realize that for fan and player safety all September home games need to be night games right?

ASUHATER! wrote:

PHXCATS wrote:

ASUHATER! wrote:Still all late home games but it looks like Tate and Sumlin have gotten us off the PAC 12 network. A noon Eastern ABC game for Tate to shine against Houston. May end up having like 7 ABC/ESPN games next season.

You do realize that for fan and player safety all September home games need to be night games right?

No they don't. It's preferable of course. And it's not like I'm asking for a noon game. 6 pm instead of 8 would be nice. Sun still sets at like 630 in September so pretty much all the game will be in the dark with a 6 pm start. You're such a chode.

ACC, Sec and Big 12 teams play games in 90-100+ degree weather at noon in September all the time. Usually in higher humidity too. What about their "safety"?

azcat49 wrote:Tate is going to have a monster year under Sumlin and Mazzone will be good for him teaching him to be patient and throw underneath