College Football Season Preview: Arizona Wildcats

The Pac-12 looks to have another strong year with several teams looking to be stronger than ever. While there is always a ton to talk about when referring to the Pac-12, like Oregon and USC, we are going to stay focused on the Arizona Wildcats.

So, let’s get started.

Arizona Wildcats: 2014 will be the 3rd season for head coach, Rich Rodriguez who looks to continue his current 2-game bowl appearance streak.

Over the past 2 seasons, Rodriguez has posted a solid 16-10 record. This record is OK and is expected when rebuilding a college football program but the pressure will begin to heat up as the expectations within the program will continue to grow. The Wildcats’ 2013 record was 8-5.

Arizona’s offense has consisted of, primarily, a no-huddle spread offense which has proven to be very successful especially in modern day’s college football. The offensive scheme for the Wildcats is not the question at the table, though, as more will be wondering who will be starting at quarterback and running back for this upcoming season.

The Wildcats lost, both, their starting quarterback and running back from last season. It also does not help when your starting running back last season was, Ka’Deem Carey, who was the all-time leading rusher in Wildcat history. The question now becomes, who steps up now?

Starting at the quarterback spot, could be one of three transfer quarterbacks. sophomore Connor Brewer from Texas University, JUCO transfer Jerrard Randall, and Senior from USC Jesse Scroggins are all options being sorted out at camp as we speak.

Dec. 15, 2012; Albuquerque, NM, USA; Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Austin Hill (29) against the Nevada Wolf Pack in the 2012 New Mexico Bowl at University Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

At running back, redshirt Freshman Zach Green, Senior Terris Jones-Grigsby, and Junior Jared Baker are the options to start at running back. Baker has been thought of as being the potential replacement but a knee injury has held him back.

Probably the best single position the Wildcats will have this year will be at wide receiver. Austin Hill is back after a knee injury last year kept him out for all of 2013.

In 2012, Hill put up incredible numbers having 81 receptions, 1,364 receiving yards, and 11 touchdowns. Hill now looks to get back to his elite status level from two years ago.

The Wildcats’ leading receiver last season, Nate Phillips, will also be back after having 700 yards receiving and 7 touchdowns last season as just a true freshman.

Phillips’ standout game was in the Wildcats’ bowl game against Boston College where Phillips had 9 receptions for 193 receiving yards.

The offensive line also looks like to be bringing back veteran experience as 4 of the 5 starters will be back from last season.

On defense, the Wildcats’ strong point will be in the secondary. 7 seniors and 4 juniors will return within this group. The team tied for 1st in the FBS with 5 interceptions for touchdowns last season. The group had a total of 18 interceptions.

As far as the rest of the defense, the group will actually be very young.  Linebackers and defensive lineman will feature many new faces which could be a good or bad thing for the Wildcats this year.

Final Thoughts:  The Arizona Wildcats will have a decent record next season and end up in another bowl game. Questions arise but this is normal for any college football team looking to replace players.

The biggest thing for the Arizona Wildcats is trying to identify who will be their starter at quarterback and running back. Those will be some big shoes to fill on the Wildcats’ offense.

For more on the rest of the Pac-12 conference, click here where Grantland.com looks at the Pac-12 in it entirety.

Regular Season Record Prediction: Arizona Wildcats, 8-4.