The season has not given many Arizona Wildcat fans a lot to look forward to with the lack of continuity through the year. After three contests in the Pac – 12 the Wildcats still have yet to crack the code to find a win in the conference. Now sitting in the cellar of the South division, there is nothing that Arizona can do but look up as they try to find their way back into the conversation amongst their competition.
Signal Calling Woes
The Wildcats will be stuck in a very tough position at the quarterback position. As of right now Anu Solomon is out with the knee injury that has kept him benched for well over a month now. Brandon Dawkins, who had shown great promise with his control of the offense and big play capability, is listed as questionable now with a concussion. All signs point to that designation being downgraded to out once the teams hit the field this Saturday. The likely starter will be Khalil Tate, though the freshman is already antiquated with the job as it is. Last week he struggled in a tough match up against the Utes of Utah but managed to throw a 63-yard touchdown pass towards the end of the game, but that was in relief after Dawkins was injured. This will be the first real start for Tate after the rumor mill pointed to Dawkins being benched last week with a rib injury. What Tate does in a game that he is slated to be the starting quarterback all the way through is a serious question considering the young man from Garden Serra High was originally listed as a redshirt to start the year. USC’s defense will definitely look to test the young quarterback early.
Return of Wilson?
Nick Wilson was a star in the making it appeared against BYU at the start of the season for Arizona. The young man ran for 138 yards and then in the next game he topped over 100 again when the team played Grambling State. Since then however he has been battling an ankle injury that has kept him to just eight carries the last few weeks. During the week he was listed as probable to play against the Trojans and he would be a welcome addition to the 18th best rushing offense in the nation when looking at yards per rush, but most of that has been thanks to the added benefit of quick quarterbacks such as Dawkins who has had a few 100 yard rushing games this season as well. Tate can run well from what he has shown since becoming an active player, but in his first start it will be interesting to see if he has that same kind of confidence out of the gun. Should Wilson make his return against the Trojans this week, he will likely have to do a lot of the heavy lifting with Tyrell Johnson who was a slot receiver at the start of the season.
Tailback U Without Their Tailback
USC breeds top tier running backs. They are a factory at that position. The next great running back the school seemed to be ready to show the world was Justin Davis. The young man has been a efficient back thus far in a season that has been more about the group of running backs rather than one particular one. The 74 times Davis has carried the ball he has averaged 6.3 yards per carry, leading the team in rushing overall. He, however, will not be suiting up for the Trojans against Arizona. A high-ankle sprain will keep him out of the lineup. This could have been a breakout game for him as Arizona has the ninth worst rushing defense in the conference and they just lost Cody Ippolito sadly to yet another season-ending knee injury. This would be the third of his career and with the lack of linebackers to take over for him the defense was going to be limited as it was. Even with Davis being out, don’t expect USC to pass the ball all day. The Trojans know Arizona is hurting, and they will take advantage of it.
The game will start at 12:30 PM from Arizona Stadium this Saturday. Tune in to FOX to watch the game live.