2013 Arizona Wildcats
College Football
Preview
Schedule and Odds
Things didn’t go well for Rich Rodriguez during his time at Michigan, but his start at Arizona has been the exact opposite with the fan base as hopeful as ever. In Rich Rod’s first season, he doubled the Wildcats win total from the previous year and got them a bowl win. Even though they still finished with a losing Pac-12 record, wins over Oklahoma State and USC highlighted their season.
In his second campaign, things should be even better with an uncommon11 starters returning on the defensive side for Arizona. That also includes their top 15 tacklers back on the sidelines. Sure, they allowed 35 points per Game last year, but with the full unit intact for one more year, it’s likely there will be improvements in 2013. But oddsmakers say, don’t get too carried away. The Wildcats are listed at odds of 600 to 1 to win it all this year at 5 Dimes Sportsbook.
The offense will hope to ride the coattails of last season when they scored 38 points per Game, including an impressive 48 points at Stanford and 49 points in their bowl win over Nevada. Unfortunately, they’ll be without Matt SCott who took the starting QB job in stride last year. B.J. Denker is the top option to lead the team, but Rodriguez already said he could have three different QBs start the first three Games, so it’s a work in progress. The good news is that Ka’Deem Carey is back who may be the best running back in the nation. He compiled 1,929 yards and 23 TDs last season. The bad news is that top receiver Austin Hill tore his ACL in the spring and is out indefinitely. Zona should have enough WRs to overcome the injury, but it will be something to watch especially with QB questions.
2013 Arizona Wildcats College Football Schedule
Aug. 31 vs. Northern Arizona
Sept. 7 at UNLV
Sept. 14 vs. UTSA
Sept. 28 at Washington
Oct. 10 at USC
Oct. 19 vs. Utah
Oct. 26 at Colorado
Nov. 2 at Cal
Nov. 9 vs. UCLA
Nov. 16 vs. Washington State
Nov. 23 vs. Oregon
Nov. 30 at Arizona State
To help matters for the Wildcats, their 2013 Schedule is a tad easier than it was a year ago as they won’t have to play Stanford and they get Oregon and UCLA at home. Those two teams beat Arizona by a combined 115-10 last season so maybe the home field will help, maybe it won’t.
After three relatively easy non-Conference Games, Arizona will get two weeks to prepare for each of their first two road Pac-12 Games at Washington and USC. That should be of extreme help, especially early in the season when the offense and QB situation is being sorted out.
They don’t really have another really tough stretch until the end of the season when they get Oregon and at Arizona State in back-to-back Games. Their home Game against UCLA is smashed between California and Washington State.
If Carey continues to run through defenses and if their defense improves just a little bit, Arizona should be able to rack up one or two more wins than last season. As long as the new quarterback doesn’t slip up too much.