History would suggest that the Wildcats are getting their in season bye week against the Utah Utes this week. In years past Arizona would dismantle the Utes and it wouldn’t even be close in most cases. However this team is not the same Wildcats from years ago that went in with the right amount of talent, the right amount of focus and the right amount of momentum. This team is licking their collective wounds and wondering when the downward spiral will finally end. Perhaps it will be this week, but it is difficult to say.
Running Game Memories
Over the last three years since the start of this winning streak against Utah the Wildcats have seen a running back carry the ball over 200 yards on the ground. This year the Cats have had to abandon the old tradition of having that one single bell cow and instead are pulling the wagon with a collection of oxen. Nick Wilson has had a foot injury for what seems like a month at this point and it is still unsure if he is going to play even in this game as he was listed as questionable throughout the week of preparation going into this game. Now the committee of runners that Rich Rodriguez has placed in at the half back position have done quite a job though as the team has been able to generate the second best rushing attack in the conference. Not only have the running backs done their job but when you include Jerrard Randall with Wilson and Jared Baker you have three players who have all run the ball for over 600 yards each. Combined you have 19 touchdowns from those three as well. Perhaps the way back to winning football games is focusing on this running back by committee mentality again against Utah as the Utes have struggled to say the least to stop the Arizona running game.
Stopping The Bleeding
To say the Wildcat defense is struggling would be laughably understated. Arizona has surrendered 45 touchdowns to this point and that is the most in the Pac-12. Three straight losses that have been absolutely terrible for the defensive unit makes people wonder just what happened to one of the better squads in the Pac-12. Injuries would be the key component but even the results that have been given are not explainable by simple injuries. When you give up an average of 44 points within this losing streak it makes it very hard to watch as the Arizona offense is not dynamic enough to really compete in those kinds of matches. If the Wildcats are even hoping to come up with an upset win and put the strangle hold on Utah’s dream of being included in the College Football Playoff then the eleven men that start on defense opposite of quarterback Travis Wilson for Utah will have to ensure that the senior will graduate from football with a winless record against Arizona.
Limiting Booker Is Tall Order
Devontae Booker may just be the most dynamic running back in the conference this season. The man has taken more carries than any other back in the country and he still looks like he can go a little bit more before the year is out. Last week against Washington he took the ball into his gut 34 times and racked up 150 yards on the game with 104 of those coming before the second half even started. The idea that the Wildcats will keep Booker from doing anything is not a very reasonable thought but the fact is if Booker is limited in some form or facet and the heavy lifting on offense has to go to Travis Wilson then there may be hope yet for Arizona. It has been quite some time since the USC debacle that crippled the Utes chances of getting into the top four in the polls but it still must glow in the mind of Wilson that his four interceptions really cost his team the game. If Booker finds it difficult to hit the lanes and get the tough yards they Cats may just be able to send blitzes and force mistakes out of Wilson to give them a better opportunity to get off the snide.
The game will be played at Arizona Stadium on November 14th at 8:00 PM on FS1.