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2009 Arizona Football Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd

arizona 7609 Arizona finished the 2008 season 8-5, including 5-4 in Pac-10 play, and it capped things off with a 31-21 Las Vegas Bowl win over BYU. Do the Cats have what it takes to go bowling again with several key pieces gone on offense? Get my take in this 2009 college football betting preview. Arizona is listed at +10,000 to win the 2009 BCS Championship.

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Offense – The Wildcat offense averaged 36.6 points per game last season (16th nationally) and posted 402.4 yards per game of total offense (33rd nationally). But the Cats took a huge hit with the graduation of four-year starting quarterback Willie Tuitama, who threw 67 career touchdown passes. Sophomore Matt Scott and Michigan State transfer Nick Foles are the leading candidates to replace Tuitama. Matt Scott has been on the field, throwing 11 passes last season, and has proved to be a very mobile quarterback. Foles is a more prototypical drop back QB with a strong arm.

The Cats must also replace the career receiving leader in the Pac-10 Conference, Mike Thomas, who completed his career in Tucson with 259 grabs. The Wildcats d bring back junior Delashaun Dean and his big play ability to cushion some of the blow. He had 53 grabs for 593 yards and four scores last season. Wide receiver Terrell Turner (43 catches) and All-Pac-10 tight end Rob Gronkowski return as well. Gronkowski’s pulled in 47 passes last season, 15 more than any other tight end in Arizona history, and scored 10 touchdowns.

The running game should remain solid with Nic Grisby and Keola Antolin as long as the offense line can hold up on its end of the bargain. Grisby rushed for 1,153 yards and 13 touchdowns and Antolin chipped in 525 yards and 10 scores on the ground. The offensive line returns three regulars, but it will greatly miss tackle Eben Britton, who departed for the NFL a year early. With two spots to fill, including the all important left tackle position, it could be a rough season up front for the Wildcats.

Defense – The Arizona offense doesn’t figure to be quite as prolific so hopefully the defense can pick up some of the slack. The Wildcats look impressive up front with defensive end Brooks Reed and tackle Earl Mitchell. Reed led the Wildcats with eight sacks last season. The team should get a boost from the return of Lolomana Mikaele at the other tackle spot as well. After being suspended last season, Mikaele regained his starting spot in the spring. This group will be extremely vital to the success of the Wildcats because the linebacker unit behind it figures to be a weak spot. The coaching staff is hoping to get everything and more out of Sterling Lewis, Xavier Kelley, and Vuna Tuihalamaka.

The secondary, which helped the Cats rank 23rd nationally in pass defense (181.9 yard per game), is in good shape. Devin Ross returns at one cornerback spot and is poised for an all-league season. Sophomore Tevin Wade could even outshine Ross. He intercepted four passes in limited playing time as a freshman, showing great instincts and closing speed. Robert Golden and Cam Nelson should fill in at the safety spots.

Prediction: 8th Pac-10 Conference – Without Tuitama, his backside protector Britton, and the conference career receiving leader Thomas, the Wildcat offense figures to take a step back and that figures to knock Arizona down toward the bottom of the Pac-10. Arizona is listed at +3,000 to win the Pac-10.

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