It is make-or-break time for Arizona football against Oregon State
Nov 1, 2019, 7:00 AM
Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate (14) and running back J.J. Taylor watch from the sideline in the closing minutes of a 41-14 loss to Southern California during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Arizona enters its ninth game after a heavily team-altering week.
Defensive coordinator Marcel Yates was fired after the Wildcats allowed 41 points last week at Stanford, the second-straight game in which they allowed 41.
Also, head coach Kevin Sumlin said he would further “investigate” using a two-quarterback system with senior Khalil Tate and freshman Grant Gunnell.
UA has lost three straight games after starting the season 4-1. Its defense allowed 133 points in that stretch.
This week, the Wildcats return home to face Oregon State, fresh off of a bye.
The Beavers are 3-4 with a couple of tight losses early on against Hawaii and Stanford.
They have strong offensive weaponry, but like Arizona, the defense has been a weak spot.
Essential Info
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What: Oregon State (3-4, 2-2) @ Arizona (4-3, 2-3)
When: Saturday, @ 1:30 p.m.
TV: Pac-12 Network
About Oregon State
The Beavers continue to improve as the season progresses.
They won three out of their last five games with one of the losses coming from a last-second field goal by Stanford.
Quarterback Jake Luton has put together a solid season with 16 touchdowns and just one interception.
Jake Luton was simply SPECIAL in week 6 and is quietly putting together a solid season.
(Via @Pac12Network)pic.twitter.com/ds5mCf8d42
— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 9, 2019
OSU’s top two playmakers have had monstrous seasons.
Halfback Artavis Pierce has rushed for six yards per carry thus far and receiver Isaiah Hodgins is tied for third in the FBS in receptions per game (eight) and touchdown catches (10).
The offensive line has been strong as well. NBC Sports Northwest called it a “bright spot” on the team in its midseason report.
OSU’s defense looked solid in its last game against Cal, although the Golden Bears have yet to score more than 20 points in a conference game this year. Before that, the Beavers were struggling to stop drives.
They allow 191.6 yards per game on the ground and 235.3 through the air. They have the 12th-worst percentage of stopping opponents on third down in the FBS at 48%.
OSU is also the third-worst team in the conference at stopping teams in the red zone.
But, Oregon State is coming off of a monster game up front in which it collected nine sacks and 14 tackles for loss at Cal. It is now tied for fifth in the FBS in tackles for loss and 21st in sacks.
How Arizona matches up
This is a classic “game that will be won in the trenches.”
OSU’s last loss came against Utah, in a game where the Utes ran the ball 42 times for 256 yards and four touchdowns. Last week, Arizona ran the ball very well with halfback J.J. Taylor rushing for 107 yards on 16 carries.
During the Cats last drive, J.J. Taylor crossed over the 3,000-yard mark with this run! He's just the 8️⃣th player in Arizona history to rush for 3,000+ career yards.#BuildingTheA 🅰️ | #BearDown
📺 @Pac12Network pic.twitter.com/TcWAmgQuXq
— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) October 26, 2019
The Wildcats will likely be able to move the ball down the field on the ground, which is why this could be a big game for Tate.
Where Arizona could struggle is pass protection, which has been poor in recent weeks.
Over the past three games, Wildcat quarterbacks have been sacked 14 times.
If Arizona fails to protect its two quarterbacks again, then OSU displayed what could happen.
On the other side of the ball, Arizona did not record a sack and had just one hurry last week.
It also has not allowed fewer than 150 yards on the ground in a game in conference play.
Arizona has a new defensive coordinator in Chuck Cecil, and he has a tall task this week to get through a strong OSU offensive line. Oregon State’s offense can click on all cylinders if the Wildcats don’t apply pressure up front.
Final thought
Arizona already has a tough road to reach six wins and make a bowl game with matchups against No. 7 Oregon, No. 9 Utah and Arizona State to end the season. A loss to OSU could burry the Wildcats and result in Sumlin failing to reach a bowl game in his first two seasons in charge.
