2007 Arizona Wildcats College Football Picks & Predictions


June 5, 2008 | Posted By Larry Cook

Mike Stoops knew he had to do something differently on offense last year. He went to the extreme. He brought in a Texas Tech-styled spread passing attack. All but one offensive coach is gone from a unit that averaged a mere 16 points and 253 yards per game. In is Sonny Dykes, the former offensive coordinator at Texas Tech. The Wildcats spent spring drills putting in Dykes’ version of Mike Leach’s offense, sending four receivers out in patterns, throwing up to 90 percent of the time in workouts and putting Willie Tuitama in a shotgun formation.

Tuitama is a junior who is finally healthy after a concussion-filled 2006 season. He shouldn’t take as many huge hits in this quick-read-and-throw offense. Tuitama will have a go-to target in Mike Thomas at one receiver spot. Sophomore Terrell Turner and redshirt freshmen Delashaun Dean and Terrell Reese must live up to their hype from the recruiting class of 2006 at the other receiver spots. Senior Chris Jennings returns as the leading back with 451 yards. Xavier Smith is the only other legitimate option at back other than incoming freshmen. The line returns all five starters, but three are just sophomores. Tackle Eben Britton could challenge for all-conference honors.

The defense is used to carrying this team and should be one of the best units in all of the Pac-10. Wildcats football returns 10 starters, all except safety Michael Johnson, making this an experienced group that has only gotten better each year under Stoops. The most improved area will be up front. The returning linemen had only eight sacks among them a year ago. The Wildcats need end Louis Holmes, the nation’s top-rated junior college player in 2005, to get that many by himself.

Lindy’s preseason All-American Antoine Cason will make everyone’s job easier as a shutdown corner. Wilrey Fontenot is nearly as good at corner and both are four-year starters. Dominic Patrick is a hard-hitter and will secure the free safety spot. Brandon Tatum is likely to be the lone newcomer at strong safety. There is plenty of talent in reserve in the secondary for Arizon’s nickel package to flourish. The linebackers are some of the best in the Pac-10. Spencer Larsen led the Wildcats with 89 tackles a year ago and Ronnie Palmer added 69 stops.

The Wildcats nearly got a bowl berth last season when they averaged only 16 points per game. If Arizona shows even marginal production in the new spread offense, combined with a tough and veteran defense, that should be enough to push the Wildcats to their first bowl since 1998. Look for a few upsets to come from this squad in 2007.

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