2008 Arizona Wildcats Football
Head Coach Mike Stoops’ job is certainly on the line this season as he’s had 4 years to turn the program around. A 17-31 record to this point and a 5-7 mark last season aren’t signs of a program on the rise. But this could be Arizona’s year to make some noise in the Pac-10, especially on offense. They return 10 starters on this side of the ball with plenty of talent to go around. But defensively, the Wildcats return only three starters and a big makeover will be in session. Let’s see how the team at Info Plays believes they’ll fare with our 2008 Arizona Wildcats football predictions.
Offense:
The offense will be more in attack mode this season. The Wildcats upgraded a year ago when it imported a pass-first, pass-often spread offense from Texas Tech. Quarterback Willie Tuitama led the Pac-10 with 28 touchdown passes and ranks second in yards with 3,683. That’s a big step for a team that scored just 16 points per game in 2006. Arizona has plenty of receivers to stretch the field, led by Mike Thomas who returns after catching 83 passes for 11 touchdowns last year. Terrell Turner, Terrell Reese and Delashaun Dean will get plenty of balls thrown their way as well.
The Wildcats will keep defenses honest with tight end Rob Gronkowski. He caught 28 balls last year, but intentions are to get him even more involved this season. Nic Grigsby rushing for 704 yards last year as the lone running threat for the Wildcats. Arizona’s depth at running back is slim at best. The line has four starters returning. Three of the four have two or more years of starting experience, led by tackle Eben Britton.
Get more insight on 2008 Arizona Wildcats football from the Tuscon Citizen here.
Defense:
Arizona returns just three defensive starters this season, so you can imagine they’re in need of a makeover. Look for young speed, timely blitzing and gang tackling to be the focus this offseason. Free safety Nate Ness is the playmaker, intercepting five passes despite not starting until halfway through the season last year. Strong safety Cam Nelson is the second leading returning tackles with 60 stops. The cornerback position is wide open for the first time in years. The Wildcats lost NFL Draftee Antoine Cason along with Wilrey Fontenot. Junior Devin Ross is getting all the hype as their next potential lockdown corner.
The linebackers will miss Spencer Larsen, the Pac-10’s leader in tackles a year ago. Xavier Kelley is in his outside spot, relying on speed and athleticism more than toughness. Ronnie Palmer is the lone returner among the front seven. This senior had 83 tackles in ‘07. The starting front four is all new. Former fullback Earl Mitchell wasn’t used enough on offense, so the Wildcats have transferred him to defensive tackle alongside Lolomana Mikaele. Brooks Reed and D’Aundre Reed are the top two contenders to win the defensive end positions.
Arizona Football Predictions at Info Plays: 7th in the Pac-10
Arizona has an easy non-conference schedule this season that should lead to a trio of wins in a row before a road game at UCLA in Week 4. This should give their defense a chance to grow up, and their offense an opportunity to gel even more with the ten returning starters they have. The Wildcats, as in the past two seasons, should flirt with a bowl game again. Can they finally land a date this time? Stay tuned this season to find out.
Pac-10 Wins Expected in ‘08: WASHINGTON, at Stanford, at Washington State, OREGON STATE
Potential Scares/Losses: at UCLA,
CALIFORNIA,
USC, at
Oregon, ARIZONA STATE
Related Articles You May Be Interested In:
