Bear Down Wildcats

chiefzona wrote:Arizona 45
CAL 24

azgreg wrote:

chiefzona wrote:Arizona 45
CAL 24

Oh well, the win streak was nice while it lasted.

chiefzona wrote:Ragle is the DC this week.

qwertyus wrote:

azgreg wrote:

chiefzona wrote:Arizona 45
CAL 24

Oh well, the win streak was nice while it lasted.

Huh?


Btw, basically same prediction for me. 42-31 Cats.

azcat49 wrote:

chiefzona wrote:Ragle is the DC this week.

I assume because of his familiarity with our system?

Spaceman Spiff wrote:The magic ends, we lose 41-35.

azcat49 wrote:Bruno, assuming he is cleared or maybe Brown

azcat49 wrote:

chiefzona wrote:Ragle is the DC this week.

I assume because of his familiarity with our system?

PHXCATS wrote:

azcat49 wrote:

chiefzona wrote:Ragle is the DC this week.

I assume because of his familiarity with our system?

I think Ragle is the only person chief hates more than RR

azgreg wrote:Who starts for Parker Zellers Saturday?

Sid wrote:

azgreg wrote:Who starts for Parker Zellers Saturday?

I saw that Black Oaks said Trevor Wood. Long snapper, TE and now DE?

The kid plays all (3) positions and if he gets a sack, I just might spill my cocktail jumping off the couch!!!!

Talk about a stud.

scumdevils86 wrote:Plus Zellers is out for the 1st half right?

scumdevils86 wrote:Plus Zellers is out for the 1st half right?

scumdevils86 wrote: Our defense was really not bad then. Not counting the death of Tuitama at LSU we only gave up 17 points per game.

OSUCat wrote:Arizona has Khalil Tate. Arizona wins.

Final Analysis

Both Cal and Arizona have already exceeded most preseason projections, but each is out for a bowl game. The winner Saturday sits just one win away from postseason eligibility, after missing a bowl in the 2016 season.

Cal's defense has been nothing short of astounding in light of last season's struggles on that side of the ball. However, losing Devante Downs, arguably the best run-pursuing linebacker in the Pac-12, is a huge blow ahead of the Arizona game.

A high-scoring game does not benefit Cal, and Arizona should be able to establish a consistent run game against the Bears, much like Oregon did on Sept. 30.

Prediction: Arizona 38, Cal 34

What’s Going To Happen

The Arizona offense is playing too well.

The defense might be struggling a bit – allowing 960 yards in the last two games – but it hasn’t mattered with Tate running wild.

The Cal defense will have its moments – it’ll get to Tate and keep him from taking off on all the big dashes he did over the last two weeks – but the Rich Rodriguez attack has found its groove.

The Wildcat defense will take the ball away a few times – it’s come up with two takeaways or more in every game but the win over Colorado – and the Bears won’t have the firepower to keep up after getting down early.

Final Score

Arizona 36, California 30

Khalil Tate has been nothing short of remarkable over his last two games, rushing for a combined 557 rushing yards on just 29 carries, however, Arizona success this season has to also be credited to their much improved defense. California has played better than anyone expected this season and looked as good as any team in the nation after dominating Washington State on both sides of the ball. California did an outstanding job preventing Washington State to beat them through the air, however, I think the Golden Bears 65th ranked rushing defense is going to have a hard time slowing down the Wildcats backfield in this one. I think this is going to be a close game, however, I’m taking Arizona to pull out a close victory and cover on the road in this one. Take Arizona to cover.

In short, I see Cal’s win last week as more of an aberration, with Arizona’s recent success being a sign of things to come. The Wildcats also present some potential matchup difficulties for Cal. On paper, this looks like a competitive game, but I see Arizona pulling away and having no problem beating a 3-point spread.

This one is a clash of styles as Cal loves to move the ball through the air while Arizona is extremely dangerous with the ground game. Tate set the FBS record for rushing yards in a game by a quarterback a couple of weeks ago against Colorado and, paired with Dawkins, the Wildcats have a pair of extremely dangerous mobile quarterbacks. Cal relies on the passing game more than anything but we just saw Arizona make life tough for Josh Rosen. He’s a proven commodity while Bowers is a freshman. Look for the Wildcats to come up with the win on the road.

Before this season started it was Coach Rich Rodriguez on the hot seat but after two big upsets it's cooling off a bit. More of the same this week as Arizona offense continues to roll. CAL defense has lived off turnovers but Arizona wins the turnover battle in this one. Final Score Prediction, Arizona Wildcats win and cover ATS 27-23.

Although Arizona is a good looking offensive team, I like what Cal did last weekend. It’s the type of win that can change a team and make them go on a run. It’s a season defining moment that I believe will spark Cal’s victory this weekend over Arizona 30-28.

Arizona might be good team, but on the road, they are allowing over 35 points per game.

It is time for another upset pick, as the Cal defense once again shuts down another powerful Pac-12 offense for the win.
Week 8 Free Score Prediction: Arizona 24 – California 28

ABOUT ARIZONA (4-2, 2-1 Pac-12): Tate has received back-to-back Pac-12 offensive player of the week honors and helped open up a running game led by Nick Wilson, who posted his best numbers since the 2016 opener with 135 yards and two touchdowns against UCLA. Freshman Kylan Wilborn had four of the Wildcats' five sacks against the Bruins while cornerback Jace Whittaker added two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. The defense has forced 13 turnovers but will be without tackle Parker Zellers for the first half Saturday after the senior was ejected for targeting last week.

ABOUT CAL (4-3, 1-3): Downs' injury is a huge blow for the resurgent Cal defense and will place a greater burden on the front line and inside linebacker Jordan Kunaszyk, who was named Pac-12 defensive player of the week after recording 11 tackles, 2.5 sacks and one interception against Washington State. The Bears' offense remains inconsistent but looked sharp against the Cougars as Vic Enwere replaced injured starter Patrick Laird and rushed for season highs of 22 carries for 102 yards with a score. Sophomore quarterback Ross Bowers has thrown 104 consecutive passes without an interception and hopes to build on a strong performance against UCLA.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Arizona has won the last three meetings by a total 10 points.

2. Cal is 12-4 in home games at Memorial Stadium since 2015 and 3-1 this season.

3. The Wildcats have scored 45 or more points in four of their first six games for the first time in school history.

PREDICTION: Arizona 38, Cal 27

Cal looked great last weekend, but the Bears were able to get a ridiculous amount of turnovers in the win. I don’t see Arizona turning the ball over that much with its ground game. Cal is 6-13 against the spread in its last 19 conference games and 1-5 ATS in their last six games following a cover. I think Arizona’s run game will be able to control the tempo of the contest and lead the Wildcats to a victory.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTION: ARIZONA -3

Sid wrote:

azgreg wrote:Who starts for Parker Zellers Saturday?

I saw that Black Oaks said Trevor Wood. Long snapper, TE and now DE?

The kid plays all (3) positions and if he gets a sack, I just might spill my cocktail jumping off the couch!!!!

Talk about a stud.

catinfl wrote:

Sid wrote:

azgreg wrote:Who starts for Parker Zellers Saturday?

I saw that Black Oaks said Trevor Wood. Long snapper, TE and now DE?

The kid plays all (3) positions and if he gets a sack, I just might spill my cocktail jumping off the couch!!!!

Talk about a stud.

Don't think Wood is gonna play DE. Zellers plays inside and will be replaced by either Bruno or Connelly who both have been pretty solid.

azgreg wrote:Bruno has cleared the concussion protocol?

azgreg wrote:

chiefzona wrote:Arizona 45
CAL 24

Oh well, the win streak was nice while it lasted.