Good team in a bad conference =..... [Archive]

slimcat

09-21-2008, 06:41 PM

We will finish in the top 3 of the Pac-10 this year. Mark it!

I know several of you pessimists out there (namely UofACat23) will argue that Arizona has been a bottom dweller for over 10 years, our defense hasn't been tested, and we lost to New Mexico. But this year's Arizona Wildcat Football Team has the stars aligning in its favor.

Take a look:

We have the conference's 2nd best offense, a top tier conference defense, a schedule loaded with home games, difficult games at home (Cal, ASU, USC), and a very poor overall conference.

Oregon will probably be starting its punter next week at QB.
Washington is only Jake Locker and Jake Locker can't throw very well.
ASU is a bottom tier conference team as we all know by now.
Wazzu is Toledo.
Oregon State lost to Stanford.
Stanford is Stanford.
Cal lost to Maryland and we have them at home.
We beat UCLA.
That leaves us with USC. Bring it on tampons!

If we count USC as a loss and one other Pac loss, we would be 2nd place or 3rd place at worse. USC will not lose another game (except to maybe us of course), so they will be in the NC game. That will most likely leave AZ as the conference's Rose Bowl eligible team if we only have a couple losses.

The conference is down this year, and we are good (not great but good), but we don't need to be great this year, just good and we will be in prime position for a Rose or Holiday bowl berth!

madddawg11

09-21-2008, 07:11 PM

I'd say 3 more losses, USC, possibly Cal and a road game that we'll say we should have won. Anything more than that would be a HUGE dissapointment.

WildcatBlitz

09-21-2008, 07:11 PM

In general i think we had our best chance to go undefeated then any other time, but remember that we are the wildcats and we shoot ourselves in the foot.

Honestly though most teams have their best games against us. NMU is 1-3 would you think ahead of time we would blow them out?

1 game at a time, focus on one before we jump to USC, this team has a already problem of being focused. Arizona hasn't played good ball since week 2, lets work on that first.

LegallyKenny

09-21-2008, 07:20 PM

PAC is not sending two teams to the BCS this year.

ZonaDefender1

09-21-2008, 07:36 PM

im not going there yet. fire and brimstone time is over. Just win the damn games......

madddawg11

09-21-2008, 07:36 PM

PAC is not sending two teams to the BCS this year.

A good chance they won't, the conference is too weak. A better game from ASU against what I consider an overrated Georgia team and a stronger non-conference showing from Oregon would've helped matters alot. Oh well.

ASUHATER!

09-21-2008, 07:43 PM

at this point i'm worried about the pac 10 even having 5 bowl teams much less sending 2 to the bcs.

we might not even have teams to send to the poinsettia or hawaii bowls.

WildcatBlitz

09-21-2008, 08:02 PM

at this point i'm worried about the pac 10 even having 5 bowl teams much less sending 2 to the bcs.

we might not even have teams to send to the poinsettia or hawaii bowls.

Aren't we guaranteed 6 or 7? No matter how bad the conference is?

Adam Hawes

09-21-2008, 08:11 PM

I think it's 6, but you still have to get the teams elligible.

Maybe we can use the SEC excuse and say that the PAC is just so good that all of the teams beat each other up too much???

Oh wait, the preseason...

UofAcat23

09-21-2008, 08:12 PM

catgrad

09-21-2008, 08:56 PM

As optimistic as I was to start the season, I don't see Arizona doing any better than 5-4 in conference. UCLA was terrible. Arizona let them hang around for three quarters and the 'Cats were lucky the Bruins didn't get a key turnover or hit a big play.

Tuitama continues to show me inconsistent decision making. I don't understand why Arizona football coaches continue to think they can run the ball in short yardage by lining up in an obvious running formation. They're not USC or Ohio State where they can blow the other team's defensive line off the ball. I hate to say it, but Arizona is a finesse team. The best chance of running the ball in short yardage, especially in the red zone, is to spread the field. Instead of running 11 on 11, make it 6 on 6.

Gronkowski is certainly a difference maker but I still see Arizona stumbling at Oregon, against USC, ASU and games against UW, WSU & Oregon State are by no means automatic wins. Especially after the New Mexico performance.
Until Arizona has a quarterback who can make something out of nothing with either a scramble or checking off to a second or third receiver, I see Arizona as too predictable. Getting to a bowl game will be a tight squeeze.

Merkin

09-21-2008, 09:00 PM

continue to think they can run the ball in short yardage by lining up in an obvious running formation.

With a 189 pound tailback no less who runs more like Barry Sanders than John Riggins.

Gotta agree on spreading things out where Grigs can find his holes instead of expecting the line to push the DL back.

catgrad97

09-21-2008, 09:34 PM

Gotta agree on spreading things out where Grigs can find his holes instead of expecting the line to push the DL back.

Yep. Only the standard consequence for that misadventure is a holding penalty that ends up putting our punter in the hole.

Maybe that's why Tomey was so "up the middle" all the time on third downs. He knew his line couldn't run-block effectively on a spread field and didn't want to risk a loss of 10 yards of field position.

tempecat

09-22-2008, 09:34 AM

None of this mattes unless we beat ASU this season. I'm sick and tired of losing to them (given I live/work in Tempe it brings me close to them).

A bowl game is welcomed, but I can't see keeping Stoops with another loss to ASU. An ASU win is as important as going to a bowl game or having a winning record. I'm not willing to sell my soul to go to a bowl game and not beat ASU. Stoops needs the win or he should be gone, period.

Now on to Washington. I'd say most Pac-10 teams are better than UNM (including us), but it only takes one off day to lose to a bad team and this year in the Pac-10, that is assured of happening.

azcat49

09-22-2008, 11:49 AM

Oh that kool aid tastes really good!

I agree with Slim actually. the PAC is pretty down this year and the schedule aligns like we are destined to make a run.

No doubt we have the most experience of all the teams other then USC. Why can't it be us.

It was great to see us, in the third quarter, going with three second stringers on the line (Baxter, Threatheway and Diaz) and still being effective.

Grigsby's fumbles is a concern but the defense, if we can tighten up the run, will make the Cal and Oregon games very winnable.

I know I booked a hotel in Pasadena for January (hey the Rose took Illinois). Oh that optimism!

lofty

09-22-2008, 12:36 PM

I agree with plenty in this thread, but despite my deep hatred for ASU, I still can't agree that beating them is more important than getting to a bowl game. Not even close.

AZ_BEAR_DOWN

09-22-2008, 12:41 PM

Get to a Bowl Game First, then beat asswhoJC!

tempecat

09-22-2008, 01:55 PM

1. Beat ASU
2. Have winning season
3. Go to bowl game

That was the order when I went to Arizona. I'm not sure why that changed? Living through ASU losing to UNLV isn't good enough for me.

madddawg11

09-22-2008, 03:32 PM

1. Beat ASU
2. Have winning season
3. Go to bowl game

That was the order when I went to Arizona. I'm not sure why that changed? Living through ASU losing to UNLV isn't good enough for me.

You can flip that order for me. I think they all go hand in hand though. Especially this season where ASU has so many bullet holes in their foot that they need to be admitted to surgery. Go to a bowl game!!!! If you are in a bowl game then you had a winning season. If you have a winning season going into the ASU game then I really like our chances.

TucsonDon

09-22-2008, 07:30 PM

WayneNewton

09-22-2008, 07:52 PM

Who is calling Arizona 'a good team'?

I'd wait until they play a team with even a chance of making a bowl game...and that opportunity is still a month away.

They haven't looked better than mediocre thus far.

Have to agree with Immel here. Arizona is not good. That vaunted offense is extremely suspect when under pressure and bumped at the line. Haven't proven a thing yet.

TucsonDon

09-22-2008, 08:27 PM

Yeah...they've got the makings of a team which can give the upper-level trouble because of the system. Huge, big-armed QB back there with four guys to pick from and the gun to get it anywhere on the field. I'm really not that impressed with the RB (not as much speed as I thought he had)...and the D is a ?, IMO...but this is the Pac-10. How many teams over the years have made a run with a senior QB and a ton of yards.

lofty

09-23-2008, 04:11 PM

You can flip that order for me. I think they all go hand in hand though. Especially this season where ASU has so many bullet holes in their foot that they need to be admitted to surgery. Go to a bowl game!!!! If you are in a bowl game then you had a winning season. If you have a winning season going into the ASU game then I really like our chances.

Flip it for me too. Bowl game before beating ASU. I mean, sorry... it's about getting a winning season and getting to a bowl game that will get us really back on the right track and gain us some recognition to hopefully create a long-term success. I mean, come on.. what if we went 1-11 but beat ASU? Blah.

Arnold Booke

09-23-2008, 04:27 PM

... and a very poor overall conference.

No. No. No.

Where you gettin' this stuff, Willis ? I hope you're not watching (and worse, actually believing) too much ESPN, and reading columns from the eastern-bloc media.

I think the Pac10's top 5 are as good as anybody's. We also play MUCH tougher OOC games than anybody else. That's why, when the moon lines up just right, six or seven of our teams lost on the same day. Odds are, that won't happen again until after the next Perseid Meteor Shower. Thing is, the anti-Pac10 media out there seize *every* opportunity to crawl up our as*ses up to their necks and they won't shut up about it all year.

We could end up with, say, three teams with one or two losses and the eastern nitwits will counter with "yea but you're weak, remember that ONE weekend bla bla bla..." Yeah, was that the same weekend your darlings played Furman, Chattanooga, and Bemidji State? Of course it was, but that doesn't matter because football is simply "better in the east. so there."

Please don't buy into this stuff. And, if you happen to be a VOTER in one of the polls (and I know for a fact there are SEVERAL VOTERS trolling this board), vote with your brain and not with your ears, please.

That is all.

madddawg11

09-23-2008, 04:34 PM

No. No. No.

Where you gettin' this stuff, Willis ? I hope you're not watching (and worse, actually believing) too much ESPN, and reading columns from the eastern-bloc media.

I think the Pac10's top 5 are as good as anybody's. We also play MUCH tougher OOC games than anybody else. That's why, when the moon lines up just right, six or seven of our teams lost on the same day. Odds are, that won't happen again until after the next Perseid Meteor Shower. Thing is, the anti-Pac10 media out there seize *every* opportunity to crawl up our as*ses up to their necks and they won't shut up about it all year.

We could end up with, say, three teams with one or two losses and the eastern nitwits will counter with "yea but you're weak, remember that ONE weekend bla bla bla..." Yeah, was that the same weekend your darlings played Furman, Chattanooga, and Bemidji State? Of course it was, but that doesn't matter because football is simply "better in the east. so there."

Please don't buy into this stuff. And, if you happen to be a VOTER in one of the polls (and I know for a fact there are SEVERAL VOTERS trolling this board), vote with your brain and not with your ears, please.

That is all.

I carry the same basic views as you but I still think the Pac is down this year.

haji81872

09-23-2008, 04:47 PM

Normally this may be true, but when the WAC and the MWC conferences own you it is not good. Pac-10 sucks this year.

olevetonahill

09-24-2008, 04:51 AM

at this point i'm worried about the pac 10 even having 5 bowl teams much less sending 2 to the bcs.

we might not even have teams to send to the poinsettia or hawaii bowls.

At this Point I dont care How many Pac 10 teams Make a Bowl . as Long as the Cats Make one .:)

gusties

09-26-2008, 12:42 AM

Tuitama continues to show me inconsistent decision making. I don't understand why Arizona football coaches continue to think they can run the ball in short yardage by lining up in an obvious running formation. They're not USC or Ohio State where they can blow the other team's defensive line off the ball.

The real question is why does Dykes choose to run Grigsby right up the middle on first down... EVERY TIME!!! I swear he got .5-2 yards every time on first down against UCLA. I think Dykes should have switched it up just a bit on first down...

WildcatBlitz

09-26-2008, 12:47 AM

Well since USC lost tonight to OSU, we have a good shot in winning the pac-10, yes thats sad.

Lets go and capitalize on the weak conference

Merkin

09-26-2008, 12:53 AM

The real question is why does Dykes choose to run Grigsby right up the middle on first down

Maybe he thinks Grigs is another Jacquizz Rogers.

chandlerAZcat

09-26-2008, 12:56 AM

Damn, "Quizz" was somethin' else in that game....

SCCat

09-26-2008, 01:01 AM

Damn, "Quizz" was somethin' else in that game....

I fear OSU is going to run all over us.

dmacwildcat

09-26-2008, 01:09 AM

I fear OSU is going to run all over us.

Except when they play us they wont have the mentality that it is the Superbowl.

SCCat

09-26-2008, 01:42 AM

Except when they play us they wont have the mentality that it is the Superbowl.

They ran for 176 against USC's tough defense. One could only assume they'd run for more against us, superbowl thoughts or not.

WildcatBlitz

09-26-2008, 01:48 AM

They ran for 176 against USC's tough defense. One could only assume they'd run for more against us, superbowl thoughts or not.

One thing I only assume......Teams play their best against USC, OSU is not a team that will win day in and day out. USC just got out played, doesn't mean OSU is now the team to beat.

dmacwildcat

11-22-2008, 10:00 PM

bump

tempecat

11-22-2008, 10:32 PM

ZonaDefender1

11-23-2008, 01:29 AM

im not going there yet. fire and brimstone time is over. Just win the damn games......

same as me

LegallyKenny

11-23-2008, 02:09 AM

PAC is not sending two teams to the BCS this year.

Well damn. I might have gotten this one wrong.

By the way, we have a really good shot at a total BCS nightmare scenario. Imagine if this happens -

1-loss Florida (SEC Champ)
1-loss UT
1-loss OU (Big-12 Champ)
1-loss TT
1-loss Alabama
1-loss USC (Pac-10 Co-champ)
1-loss Penn State (Big-10 Champ)
0-loss Utah (Mountain West Champ)
0-loss Boise St. (WAC Champ)

Assorted ACC and Big East crap.

PieceOfMeat

11-23-2008, 02:10 AM

Well damn. I might have gotten this one wrong.

By the way, we have a really good shot at a total BCS nightmare scenario. Imagine if this happens -

1-loss Florida (SEC Champ)
1-loss UT
1-loss OU (Big-12 Champ)
1-loss TT
1-loss Alabama
1-loss USC (Pac-10 Co-champ)
1-loss Penn State (Big-10 Champ)
0-loss Utah (Mountain West Champ)
0-loss Boise St. (WAC Champ)

Assorted ACC and Big East crap.

I'd love for that to happen. I hate the bcs system and want a playoff, so the more nightmarish the scenario, the better :)