Offensively & Defensively Speaking: Arizona
We can make a game out of any opponent, including a really “plucky” U of A team. A team that hasn’t won a game for over two years or scored more than 20 points in a game this season. One of those two problems was solved Saturday as the Wildcats put up 34 points. The 21-point favorite USC Trojans put up 41 points, which was just enough to squeak out a costly victory.
Thankfully, an effective running game emerged, which made the difference and prevented a loss to a 21-point underdog…at home…for homecoming.
The victory was costly due to a season-ending ankle injury to the best player on the team in Drake London, and the creation of a quarterback controversy of Slovis vs. Dart. How is it that we can coach down the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year to a somewhat pedestrian version with occasional flashes of brilliance? We have an offensive coordinator who has turned Slovis into the ordinary from the extraordinary…Nice job that. And combine that with a predictable game plan and no half-time adjustments and here we are. But that’s not the worst of it. It gets worse, much worse.
The defensive coordinator has put out the same crappy 3-4 (Tight) defense with zone coverage by safeties and nickels with cornerbacks in mostly man coverage for the last four games. This allows the most ordinary of opposing QBs to get upgraded to the Heisman watchlist. We continue to drop our best pass rusher into zone coverage yet still start a senior safety who has struggled to cover a post pattern or wrap up on a tackle. There is a freshman safety sitting on the bench that should be on the field for every defensive play…period. It is a no-brainer but not implemented.
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We have four regular-season games left to play this season and we might be favored in one of them. Looking at what is happening with the defense, we will be fortunate to win more than one game for the remainder of the season. I hate to write it so bluntly but this is an educated and astute audience and you deserve plain-speak. If you think I’m wrong just let me know as I would be delighted to be persuaded that my eyes are lying to me.
Offensive Shoutouts
Drake London – I was hoping he would make it through the season uninjured
Keaontay Ingram – He is getting his feet under him and the O-line is responding
Gary Bryant – Nice chunk plays and no holding calls
Defensive Shoutouts
Drake Jackson – One sack
Tuli Tuipulotu – Two sacks, a man amongst boys
Folks: If you have questions or comments just let me know and I’ll do my best to tell it to you straight.
