San Diego State vs. Arizona: Get To Know The Wildcats
San Diego State vs. Arizona: Get To Know The Wildcats
Aztecs open up their new stadium
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Another Pac-12 win for SDSU?
San Diego State is opening up its brand new on-campus stadium this weekend and they are hosting the Arizona Wildcats. The Aztecs are hoping to come out with a win, they are just around a touchdown favorite.
Arizona did have some offseason changes with coaches leaving and the portal impacting this team in a good way. To get to know more about all of that and more with the Wildcats we chatted with Jason Scheer of Wildcat Authority.
1. Are there any lingering questions after fall camp heading into Week 1?
1. On the defensive side, there are definitely some questions about the overall depth. Arizona will only play two linebackers for the most part and one of the spots is set with veteran Jerry Roberts, but the other spot lacks experience. Kolbe Cage will get the start, but he does not have a lot of experience and neither do those behind him. There’s not much depth at safety either, though starters Christian Young and Jaxen Turner aren’t going to leave the field. On offense, the offensive line is the biggest question. It struggled at times last season, especially against the run, and it needs to be significantly better if Arizona’s offense is going to succeed this season.
2. Who are the key players to know this week?
2. Quarterback Jayden de Laura was the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and Arizona added him from Washington State. It should be a major upgrade from the Wildcats’ quarterback situation last season. At wide receiver, Arizona added freshman Tetairoa McMillan, who was one of the top players in the country coming out of high school. UTEP transfer Jacob Cowing should be Arizona’s top wide receivers and one of the top in the Pac-12 as well. On defense. Christian Roland-Wallace is going to be one of the best corners in the conference and defensive lineman Kyon Barrs might be the best defensive prospect on the team.
3. What are the expectations heading into Year 2 of Jedd Fisch?
3. At the very least, Arizona should be better because it can’t be worse. It’s not as if Arizona is going to become a dominant team, but the Wildcats only won one game last season and added a bunch of talent. The expectation is that Arizona remains competitive in nearly every game and wins a handful while looking like a team that is only a year away from making a bowl.
4. What is the one area that Arizona is really good at and can take advantage of against San Diego State?
4. I think Arizona’s offense is much improved to the point where SDSU won’t recognize the Wildcats. The weapons at wide receiver might be as good as any other team in the conference and there has been a major upgrade in the running back room with Florida State transfer DJ Williams and freshmen Speedy Luke and Jonah Coleman. Arizona should be able to move the ball better than last season despite the fact that SDSU is solid on defense.
5. How do you see this game playing out?
5. This is tough. I think it is easier for Arizona to prepare than it is for SDSU because there is much different personnel and schemes for the Wildcats. It is absolutely an upset if Arizona wins and I can’t get over the fact that the Aztecs are replacing quite a bit on the offensive side of the ball, especially at wide receiver and offensive line. Arizona upgraded and I don’t think you can say the same for SDSU beyond QB. I don’t see this being a track meet, but I am going for the upset. Arizona 24, SDSU 20
