Wildcats could be poised for surprising season
Jan 10, 2012, 8:29 PM | Updated: 8:55 pm
Arizona fans moved past the 2011 season sometime in
October, so therefore it is really never too early to look
at 2012.
That’s why UA fans may be pleased to see ESPN Pac-12
blogger Ted Miller ranks Arizona No. 7
in the conference in his “Early 2012 Pac-12 power
rankings.”
The Wildcats have more potential than most realize,
starting with five returning starters on the offensive
line and three defensive starters returning from injury,
as well as an experienced quarterback in Matt Scott, who
looks like a nice fit for Rich Rodriguez’s spread-option
offense.
Last year’s youth could become this season’s advantage,
and assuming the ‘Cats can stay healthy and Scott plays
well they could find themselves back in the bowl picture.
This is a team, after all, that won its final two games —
including an upset over Arizona State in Tempe — and also
beat eventual Pac-12 South champion UCLA by 36. So, while
Arizona wasn’t particularly good, it is not as if there is
a dearth of talent on the roster.
However, Arizona won just four games last season for a
reason, and it’s hard to improve when you lose stars like
Nick Foles and Juron Criner.
Rodriguez certainly has is work cut out for him, though
that’s no different from at least half the conference.
