It’s Homecoming on the campus of the University of Arizona, which means plenty of festivities, friends and football.
Homecoming week has always been one of my favorite weeks on campus, but from a football standpoint it’s usually a tough one to get a feel of where the team is. That is because players sense more excitement for the game – regardless of opponent – from their peers throughout the week. Former players begin trickling into the football building, some recent familiar faces and others from decades ago, but no less a Wildcat than anyone suiting up Saturday. All in all, there is more potential for distractions than a standard game week.
The Homecoming game becomes one of those two games a year – the other being the Territorial Cup – where players are supposed to feel as though they are playing for something bigger than themselves. They are playing for those who came before them, if you will.
This week is probably a little different for the Wildcats, despite the fact they’ll be honoring the past with throwback uniforms to the Desert Swarm era while honoring legendary coach Dick Tomey. But that’s not to say this year’s Arizona football team isn’t experiencing a real-life crash course into what Tomey instilled in his program year after year.
That is, this week is all about the team. The team, the team, the team.
Arizona’s coaches and players have been widely criticized in recent weeks. They have, after all, lost three consecutive games. The blame has been across the board: coaching, talent, offense, defense and special teams. The team has been questioned to a man.
Head coach Kevin Sumlin took the first steps in addressing the situation. From his desk, there would be no question as to whether the play on the field was acceptable. It was not, and he fired both his defensive coordinator and the linebacker’s coach.
Sumlin’s message: this team can play better football, this team will not accept mediocrity and this team still has a lot to play for.
What has gone on behind closed doors this week’s will be unknown until, at least, after the game. But the team that takes the field Saturday afternoon should play differently than the one from the last month. It’s not about individual talents or self-confidence, it’s about collective effort and unrelenting commitment to the team.
When the Wildcats take the field Saturday shortly after 1:30 p.m., don’t just focus on the 11 players on the field. Instead, glance over at the sideline from time to time.
Are those guys locked in and engaged in every play? Is the entire bench celebrating big offensive and defensive plays? Are backups sharing what they saw from the sideline with the starters? Are they as excited for their teammate scoring a touchdown as they would be if they scored themselves? Are offensive players greeting defensive players coming off the field, and vice versa?
Those are the questions I am interested in learning the answers to this week. Because, those things tell you a lot more about the team than the scoreboard tells you.
Win or lose – it’s about the team. Coach Tomey knew that as well as anyone.
Can this Arizona football team embrace that longstanding truth? We find out this weekend.
In the meantime, if you have not yet watched this Arizona Athletics video paying tribute to Coach Tomey’s legacy, please take a few moments to do so. It is phenomenal.
Now, a look to this week’s keys to the game.
Arizona Football Keys to the Game
- Win the Turnover Battle (all phases)
- Protect the QBs (offensive line)
- Get Numbers to the Football (defense/special teams)
- Pressure the QB (defense)
- Big Special Teams Play
ICYMI: What to Expect From Oregon State
Arizona will win if …
The Wildcats take the field and play an inspired, complete, TEAM football game. This continues to elude Arizona in 2019. The offense does not need to score 60 points, and the defense does not need to pitch a shutout. But these two units, along with special teams, must begin complementing each other. It starts with protecting the football on offense and finding a way to pressure the quarterback and creating a turnover on defense. The Wildcats are going to have chances to move the football with either Khalil Tate or Grant Gunnell behind center, but the key is protecting them and giving them time to settle into the game. The Beavers are likely to use a similar game plan showing pressure at the line of scrimmage. To counter, the Wildcats need to block well at the point of attack to either pop a big run or two, or give the quarterbacks enough time to make their first and second reads to distribute the ball. If the offense is moving the ball and not turning it over, it will position the defense to show us what it has under the direction of Chuck Cecil. These guys should play fast and physical, but they need to make plays. This means getting to the quarterback, getting hands on passes, and rallying to the football. If Arizona is tackling well early, it will be a great sign for this unit. And lastly, Arizona’s special teams must deliver a strong all-around effort. Solid tackling, no turnovers, no penalties and deliver a big play if the opportunity presents itself.
Arizona will lose if …
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Arizona’s defense and special teams have to step up, and the offense needs to stop turning the ball over (nine in last three games). If those trends continue, the Beavers are more than capable of spoiling the Wildcats’ Homecoming festivities. Oregon State has a very balanced offense, which starts with a steady run attack and opens up with play-action passes. Arizona needs improved play from its linebackers and safeties both in stopping the run, but also defending the middle of the field. This is a task easier said than done, and a place where the Wildcats have been exploited at times this year. Should Arizona’s offense or special teams turn the football over and leave the defense in difficult spots to defend, the Beavers have the weapons to put up points. Not to mention, Oregon State is coming off a bye week and likely has installed several wrinkles and perhaps a trick play or two to use if the situation calls. Defensively, the Beavers will seek to create havoc at the line of scrimmage to disrupt Arizona’s quarterbacks and discourage the Wildcats’ from running against numbers. While there will be opportunities in the pass game, Arizona needs to establish its own balance in the run game. If it cannot do so, Oregon State will have chances to mix up blitzes and coverages that lead to turnovers.
Prediction:
Arizona 42, Oregon State 24
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