Top 5 Reasons to be excited about the upcoming season

[Chicat]

1) Willie Tuitama

This one is pretty much a no-brainer. The flashes of brilliance we saw last year could translate into a very successful season for this sophomore. The fact that he admittedly was playing by the seat of his pants last year and that now he actually knows the playbook and has insight into the way the offense is supposed to run should only make the fanbase even more excited for this year's campaign. Honestly, the sky is the limit for this kid, and that may just be what we see this year. Is that putting too much on a very young guy's shoulders? Maybe, but if anyone seems to want to take on that kind of pressure, it's Willie T.


2) Coach Stoops and Coach Canales

Year three is oftentimes a make or break year for college coaches, and after two 3-8 campaigns, that couldn't be more true for this duo. This year there are no excuses. They've have the talent to work with and what appears to be a successful system, so now all they need to do is to put the right people in the right situations to execute that system. Where they most need to improve is in-game tactical adjustments, and that only can come with game experience. Well, over the past two years they've probably seen enough situations that lost us games to now know what to do to turn things around to our favor and start winning them. These two guys are winners, and they are going to show us that this year.


3) The Secondary

This one is also a no-brainer, but with as much proven talent as there is in the defensive backfield, a lot of teams are going to become one-dimensional on offense and that is going to lead to some great opportunities for the Cats. Forcing teams to run the ball on first and second down and face long yardage on third, will allow the nickel package to come in and look to pick off some passes and make some plays. We also have some very hard hitters on this squad, so look for the turnover advantage to swing wildly in our favor more games than not. And as we all know, the team that wins the turnover battle usually wins the game.


4) Team Speed

The talking heads say that speed kills, but unfortunately that seems to be something we lacked in past years and it killed us. Speed seems to be something that has been stressed in the past few recruiting classes on both sides of the ball, and I think we will see the dividends of that in the coming season. Along with the secondary as I mentioned above, we also have some great speed at the skill positions. I think our WRs and RBs, not to mention our LBs, can be put up there with some of the best in the Pac-10. Now it's all about using that speed to create opportunities. Stretching the field is going to be key this year, and with a QB who can put the ball just about anywhere, there is no reason why we shouldn't see 6 or 7 big time plays (30 yards or more).


5) Positive Thinking & Chemistry

I think we are all on the same page now. The players, coaches, and fans have removed the mental shackles of the Mackonuts era and are winners once again. Just reading these boards you can tell that no one who follows Arizona football is looking at this squad as the one which went 3-8 the past two years. Instead it's almost as if this team had a winning record last year and now is looking to jump into that upper echelon. That kind of mentality might be putting the cart before the horse, but when you see things like nearly 100% attendance at optional summer workouts and the way that the fanbase has embraced the potential of certain parts and players on this team? You just can't help but be excited at what could be. Also it seems like we have some warriors on this team once again. Kids that will give you 100% and never give up. That has certainly been missing in years past but now it's back and I have to give credit to the coaching staff for bringing in kids of character like Willie Tuitama. In my opinion, it starts at the top, and the decision makers have done an incredible job of making sure that they field a team of winners.

My prediction? 8 wins, 4 losses and an appearance in the Sun Bowl

I can't wait for this season to start. BEAR DOWN!!!

[azcat49]

One thing is a must though, and that is Tui must stay healthy.

[the real dill]

5A) Reese and Turner give Tuitama legit homerun threats and will be physical mismatches against pretty much every DB they go up against. Kind of size/speed combo Arizona lacked the last couple seasons.

[WayneNewton]

Originally Posted by the real dill

5A) Reese and Turner give Tuitama legit homerun threats and will be physical mismatches against pretty much every DB they go up against. Kind of size/speed combo Arizona lacked the last couple seasons.

Last couple of seasons? I can't remember the last time Arizona actually had a big, fast receiver that could actually catch the ball.

[Puerco]

Good stuff Chicat.

Here's my take:

9-3 if: Holmes/Long play and convert decent DL to good DL and LB's stay healthy
8-4 if: Defense isn't Desert Swarm-like (see above) and offense plays to its capability
7-5 if: Iinjury bugs hit either line or LB's
6-6 if: We don't find a go-to RB and establish a consistent ground game
Don't want to think about it: Tui goes down mid-season

[SCCat]

Originally Posted by WayneNewton

Last couple of seasons? I can't remember the last time Arizona actually had a big, fast receiver that could actually catch the ball.

Man! I've always been overlooked and underrated in my AZ career.

Signed,

Mike "Hands" Jefferson.

[PerpEph]

I hope these big, fast suckers turn out to be good. I expect that one of the three will turn out to be excellent.

The best part about these freshmen is that they, along with improved TE play, will take the focus off Mike Thomas... and that means trouble for opposing Ds. You let that little rascal get lost somewhere on the field and he'll burn you for big yardage.

I expect the passing offense to be very, very much improved this season.

Can one of the Experts please tell us what to expect from the three freshmen receivers, and also what to expect from A.J. Simmons and Travis Bell in terms of backing up Brad Wood?

Can any of the three receivers replicate Mike Thomas' FOY honors?

Thanks!

[HermosaCat]

Great Post Chicat! I can not wait for the season to start.

[Reydituto]

Originally Posted by vBulletin Message

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Chicat again.

Great read Chicat. I'm fired up!

I think this is the year we see the Official Return of the Desert Swarm Defense. If Holmes and Long matriiculate and play as advertised, and if the DL can hold their own against the run, teams are going to have a tough time moving the ball on UA. I believe the linebacking core group of Larsen, Krog, Palmer, and McCovy are severely underrated, and if they are blessed with good health, the UA D will keep them in every game.

My conservative prediction is 7-6, 5th/6th place and a minor bowl game (Emerald Walnut/Vegas/Insight), as I am a Doubting Thomas when it comes to the O-Line. However, if they gel and the talent comes through there, I can see 1-2 more wins and your Sun Bowl prediction coming to fruition.

Originally Posted by SCCat

Man! I've always been overlooked and underrated in my AZ career.

Signed,

Mike "Hands" Jefferson.

Am I the only person disappointed in the fact this guy turned out to be a tool? I had such high hopes, but then again, that is a microcosm of the Wackovic Era. Never trust a man that times how much he grills each side of his steak ...

Perp, I wouldn't expect more than 1 of the Frosh WRs to have an impact this season, just out of sheer numbers, but yes, whomever that may be will help stretch defenses and open lanes for Money Mike & Steptoe to do what they do best.

[Cubix]

Originally Posted by the real dill

5A) Reese and Turner give Tuitama legit homerun threats and will be physical mismatches against pretty much every DB they go up against. Kind of size/speed combo Arizona lacked the last couple seasons.

Um hello?!!? Dean is the best of all 3 He just had 2200 yards as a junior in NCAA 07!

[CatintheHeat]

Add Money Mike Thomas and Steptoe to the mix and UA has a formidable receiving corp.

[MojoJojo3155]

There is no doubt that Tui will have some nice stats this season. Tui for Heisman!!!

[WallyNoche]

Chicat Quote...

Willie Tuitama
Honestly, the sky is the limit for this kid, and that may just be what we see this year. Is that putting too much on a very young guy's shoulders? Maybe, but if anyone seems to want to take on that kind of pressure, it's Willie T.

Spot on description...Great post Chicat...

[kanobi]

Originally Posted by the real dill

5A) Reese and Turner give Tuitama legit homerun threats and will be physical mismatches against pretty much every DB they go up against. Kind of size/speed combo Arizona lacked the last couple seasons.

You forgot Delashaun Dean...I think he is going to be unbelievable.

[Chicat]

Last night I was watching a replay of the USC game from last year, and it struck me that if Tui was in there, we might just have made that game even closer. Our defense was terrific, especially in the first half, and if we could have just put a few more points on the board, I think USC would have gone into panic mode. All in all though, it was a great effort, and not the type of thing you saw when Whackovic was coaching. Those teams had no collective heart, but Stoops' teams are all heart . . . and now there's a lot of talent there too.