Arizona Wildcats Expect A Shootout With Washington State

The Arizona Wildcats are expecting a shootout against the Washington State Cougars on Saturday.  The Cougars are an unbalanced team leading the NCAA in passing yards and dead last in rushing.  Rich Rodriguez knows that despite the unbalanced attack the Wildcats will not be able to sleep on the Cougars.

In an interview with Arizona Sports 98.7, Rodriguez expressed a strange admiration for the Cougars high flying style. 

"“There’s a method to his so-called madness,” Rodriguez told Doug and Wolf on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Monday. “They don’t mind throwing from any angles and any down and distance, and throw it 70-something times.”“What they do that gets overlooked sometimes is how well they execute. They may not run 50 different pass patterns, but they run what they run really, really well and they do a great job of recognizing coverage’s,” Rodriguez said"

The run pass ratio isn’t the only area where the Cougars are unbalanced.  Washington State scores 35 points per game good enough to rank #34 in all of college football.  They also give up 35 points a game bad enough to rank 105th in the country.

It is the weakness on defense that the Arizona Wildcats hope to exploit.

Although they rank behind the Cougars the Arizona Wildcats are no slouch when throwing the ball themselves. Rich Rodriguez’ offense racks up 357 yards a game through the air.  But the Wildcats can also rush the ball rolling up 199 yards from scrimmage. 

With two high powered offenses on the field it will be defense that decides this game.  If the Arizona Wildcats can get some stops on defense then they should walk away with an easy victory.  If they can’t they may need a last second Hail Mary pass to come away with a victory.  Either way there will be plenty of points scored so if you are a betting man (or woman) take the over.