Arizona Wildcats News

Matt Hayes These are the bland Saturdays when no one is safe. No, really. How often have we seen this is the past: the relatively uneventful developing into the remarkably significant. Even No. 1 Florida, playing host to cupcake Florida International, isn't immune at this late stage of the season. "We know what's on the line," Florida linebacker Ryan Stamper said. "We're going hard." Maybe it's some cosmic balance in response to the wild... weekends of the last three years, but just when you think 2009 couldn't be more predictable we give you these six wild possibilities (ranked in order of likelihood it will happen) that could develop Saturday: 1. A Stanford player wins the Heisman Trophy How it can happen: Hey, it has happened before (Jim Plunkett, 1970), why not again? No BCS league tailback has more yards (1,395) or touchdowns (19) than Toby Gerhart, who has surged to the top of Heisman Trophy lists with 405 yards and six touchdowns in back-to-back victories over teams in the BCS top 10 (Oregon, USC). Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh said it best on his Twitter account, two hours after Stanford's rout of USC: "Stop the madness. Hand him the Heisman." 2. Kansas State wins the Big 12 North How it can happen: It's embarrassing enough for the Big 12 that K-State can beat Nebraska on Saturday and win the North Division, or lose and not qualify for a bowl. It's worse that we have no idea which Nebraska team shows up: The team that lost at home to Iowa State and Texas Tech with 10 combined turnovers, or the team that physically battered Oklahoma (and could potentially do the same to the Texas spread offense) in a 10-3 win? 3. Arizona one step closer to its first Rose Bowl How it can happen: It'll be loud in the Zona Zoo, and it'll be your typical Pac-10 game: no defense and more offense than a Big Ten fan can stomach. And that's the last thing Oregon wants. The Ducks have the Pac-10's best defense, but have given up 72 points in the last two games. The longer Oregon lets Arizona hang around, the more streaky Cats QB Nick Foles builds confidence. Related Links Hayes: Week 12 story lines SN staff picks for Week 12 Who will replace USC in Rose Bowl? SN Conversation: Jim Tressel Week 12 matchups, scoreboard 4. Michigan upsets Big Ten champion Ohio State How it can happen: Rose Bowl-bound Ohio State has nothing (OK, obviously The Game is something) for which to play; Michigan is playing for a bowl game -- and maybe, as crazy as it sounds, coach Rich Rodriguez's job. We know Michigan can score on offense. But is this the game the Wolverines play inspired on defense (hasn't happened yet) and give Rodriguez a Get Out of Jail Free card? 5. SMU and Temple: conference champions. How it can happen: SMU won one game in each of the last two seasons, yet needs wins over slumping Marshall and awful Tulane to secure the C-USA West Division. The Mustangs likely would face ECU in the C-USA title game, and SMU beat the Pirates in October. And Temple? Been a nice run, fellas. Kent State on Saturday shouldn't be tough, but at Ohio on Nov. 27 will end the ride before a potential MAC championship game against heavyweight Central Michigan. 6. Kansas rallies behind embattled coach Mark Mangino and beats No. 3 Texas How it could happen: Mangino said earlier this week he hadn't lost his team -- a sure sign that a coach has. The Jayhawks could get a big game from struggling QB Todd Reesing, and Texas could commit multiple turnovers and play lethargic on Senior Day, but that's about as likely to happen as Mangino keeping his job. Matt Hayes covers college football for Sporting News. E-mail him at mhayes@sportingnews.com.more>>

Place: Tucson, Ariz. Time: 8 p.m. ET TV: ABC Line: Oregon by 6 Three reasons Oregon will win He's back: LeGarrette Blount could contribute for Oregon against Arizona. Double trouble: After LeGarrette Blount TKOd much of his 2009 season, LaMichael James became the newest Ducks running back to jump from unknown to all-conference-caliber in less than a season. Now, Blount is back on the squad, and indications are he'll see playing time Saturday for the first time since before Labor Day.... Arizona has decent statistics against the run, but Cal's Shane Vereen, a backup to injured star Jahvid Best, went for 159 yards on the 'Cats last weekend. Oregon averages 237 yards per game and needs a big edge in this area to win on the road. Coach Chip: Chip Kelly's two encounters with Arizona as Oregon's offensive coordinator resulted in some odd results. Dennis Dixon's injury left the Ducks helpless in a 2007 loss. Last year in Eugene, Oregon rolled up 45 first-half points, then needed to hold on for a 55-45 victory. Each game featured significant in-game adjustments from both coaching staffs, something Kelly expects will continue Saturday in the desert. "Every year, there's been a new wrinkle," he said on a teleconference. "There will be that chess match that goes on within the game to see how they're going to try to defend us, and do we have answers." A Kelly-Mike Stoops scheme-off makes football junkies salivate. Kelly's got the edge here because of his better players. Pass prevention: Oregon can boast about some of its defensive performances this year—holding Boise State to 19 points and USC to 20 spring to mind. Then there are the lowlights, starting and ending with Stanford's six offensive touchdowns two weeks ago in Palo Alto. So which Ducks defense will show up? Oregon ranks No. 1 in the Pac-10 against the pass, both in yards allowed and efficiency. From Kenny Rowe's seven sacks to Talmadge Jackson's three interceptions, the good set of Ducks can stay with Arizona's improving attack. But a Stanford re-do will lead to an upset loss. Three reasons Arizona will win Saint Nick: Nick Foles has found a fit at Arizona, where he won the starting job in late September and has led the Wildcats to the brink of their first Rose Bowl. He possesses the size and arm strength to play quarterback in the Pac-10, and he said last month he has felt in sync with offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes' scheme since he got to campus. His achievements look more remarkable given some injuries to RB Nic Grigsby and the Wildcats' struggles running the ball. "It puts more pressure on the quarterback," coach Mike Stoops said on a teleconference. "That's what you can't really have against a quarterback this young." Foles has held up so far, and he could use another huge game against the toughest defense he's seen so far. Related Links Hayes' Week 12 picks SN staff Week 12 picks Curtis vs. Grams B Week 12 picks Hayes' Week 12 story lines Curtis: Who's in running for Rose? Pac-10 Conference Call Return to winning: Oregon has drawn raves all season for its improved play on special teams. But the Wildcats look capable of more big plays in the kicking game. The 'Cats have only returned seven punts this year, but one went for a score (William Wright, against Washington State). And Travis Cobb is reliable on kickoffs and has big-play potential—he ran one back against the hapless Cougars, too. Some consistent kick returns can give Foles and the offense a big edge on the Ducks. Line strength: In a league famous for flash, Arizona's ascent toward the top of the conference is based at the line of scrimmage. The statistics spell out the program's success there—in the Pac-10, only USC sacks the quarterback more often per game than the 'Cats, and only Stanford allows fewer sacks. Oregon, which humbled the Trojans' defense in Eugene, must find ways to keep Ricky Elmore (8.5 sacks) and Earl Mitchell (4.5 sacks) from disrupting things in the backfield. If Arizona owns the game up front, it will own victory at the end of the night. Dave Curtis is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at dcurtis@sportingnews.com.more>>

Dave Curtis The Week 12 slate for Grams looks curious because of who didn't make the cut. No Florida, Alabama or Texas. No Ohio State-Michigan. No forecast on the future of Notre Done (more on this later). Go ahead and insert an "every week is a playoff" joke here. With the top 10 on furlough from national prominence, Grams considered a bye week here in November. "Got to rest up for Thanksgiving," she said. Don't despair, Grams. Somehow,... five compelling contests emerged. Penn State looks to upgrade its Florida bowl trip (Orange trumps Capital One). Bill Snyder goes championship-hunting in Lincoln. The Big Game is, well, a big game. Here are the big five, straight up: No. 13 Penn State at Michigan State, 3:30 p.m., ABC The Skinny: As Grams gains steam down the stretch (that 1-4 week looks like an aberration), she's thinking JoePa and his boys might be losing it. "A couple of times, I picked them and they lost," she said. "They're not going to come through." Grams B: Michigan State, 31-24 Dave: Penn State, 20-14 No. 10 LSU at Mississippi, 3:30 p.m., CBS The Skinny: The Skinny: LSU is a top-10 team. Its only losses came against No. 1 Florida and No. 2 Alabama -- and both games were decided late. Yet Ole Miss is a four-point favorite. Does Vegas know something here? Well, besides the fact the Tigers have no offense. Grams goes with Vegas on this one. Grams B: Mississippi, 24-16 Dave: LSU, 17-13 California at No. 14 Stanford, 7:30 p.m., Versus The Skinny: Although she's rolled with Stanford the last two weeks, Grams wanted a thorough report on the Bears. Then, according to witnesses, a member of the Cardinal band emerged from behind the recliner and clocked her with a trombone. She's OK, and we're guessing she'd stay with her squad. Grams B: Stanford, 41-21 Dave: California, 33-28 Kansas State at Nebraska, 7:45 p.m., ESPN The Skinny: This was supposed to be Notre Dame vs. Connecticut, but Grams threatened to boycott the rest of the year if forced to deal with the Irish again. "I'm sick of them," she said. "Can't figure them out." You and the rest of the country, Grams. The Huskers look too good to her in this one. Grams B: Nebraska, 30-17 Dave: Kansas State, 27-22 No. 11 Oregon at Arizona, 8 p.m. ABC The Skinny: This newest nominee for "Pac-10 Game of the Year" could shake up the league even more. Arizona won this matchup in Tucson two years ago. Both Ducks losses in '09 came on the road. The winner controls its own destiny for the Rose Bowl, a game 'Zona has never reached. Grams B: Oregon, 44-33 Dave: Arizona, 30-27 Related Links Sporting News staff picks Pac-10 conference call Best football broadcasters Last Week Grams B: 3-2 Dave: 3-2 Season Grams B: 34-21 Dave: 28-27 Dave Curtis is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at dcurtis@sportingnews.com.more>>

Jeremiah Masoli has thrown for 1,581 yards and run for 558 more this season. After watching his team get walloped for the second time in three weeks, USC coach Pete Carroll confessed the obvious: The gap between his Trojans and the rest of the Pac-10 had shrunk to almost nothing. Now the best of the league's nine dwarves will duel in the desert to determine who'll gain the inside track for a Rose Bowl berth. This week's main event, No. 11 Oregon's visit to Arizona, will establish who replaces... USC in control of the conference. The changing-of-the-guard out west might be temporary, but it ranks among the nation's top story lines this season. Within the league, though, the surprise isn't as strong. "It's all in college football," Arizona coach Mike Stoops said on a teleconference this week. "I don't think there's a big discrepancy among the top 20, 30, 40 teams. There's some significance in some teams, but you look. Everyone has some flaws." The Pac-10's portion of the parity will produce a new BCS bowl participant in January. And Oregon looks like the strongest candidate to play in Pasadena. The Ducks are the lone team with one conference loss and will claim the Pac-10 title outright by winning at Arizona, then taking down Oregon State at home on Dec. 3. Arizona, though, would take control of the league with a victory. Head-to-head victories over Stanford, Oregon State and Oregon would give the Wildcats a shot to go to the Rose Bowl if they win out. Arizona finishes with road games against Arizona State and USC. Since the start of league play, no Pac-10 team has looked as impressive as Oregon. Except for a meltdown at Stanford, the Ducks have dominated, scoring more points and allowing fewer than any Pac-10 team. Arizona, meanwhile, has a back-loaded schedule, making the Wildcats the team with the most to prove. How well they prove their worth will be tied to whether quarterback Nick Foles can continue his incredible season. A transfer from Michigan State, he lost the starting job to veteran Matt Scott. That experiment lasted three games: Stoops gave Foles the job in late September, and he has completed 70 percent of his throws for 13 touchdowns against six interceptions. "I've gotten pretty comfortable," Foles said recently. "But the guys around me have played great." Across the field, Ducks quarterback Jeremiah Masoli might be the league's top playmaker. Stoops this week called Masoli the prototypical quarterback for the Ducks' offense, which four times this season has rung up more than 500 yards of total offense. In training camp last year, Masoli was fifth on the Ducks' depth chart and destined for a redshirt year. But his skills and coach Chip Kelly's scheme seemed such a sure match that the junior QB earned some preseason Heisman Trophy buzz this year. He'll fall well short of that talk, but he has managed the offense well enough to push Oregon toward its first Rose Bowl since 1995. "Early this season, he tried to shoulder a lot of the load himself," Kelly said of Masoli during a teleconference. "Now he realizes we have some weapons around him." That help has become more evident during the second half of the season, especially during the primetime rout of the Trojans. Ducks tailback LaMichael James is averaging 6.98 yards per carry. Oregon lacks a superstar receiver, but Ed Dickson and Jeff Maehl have emerged as reliable targets. A big day from them—and Masoli—would put the Ducks on the brink of a conference title—and in position to replace USC atop the Pac-10. Dave Curtis is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at dcurtis@sportingnews.com.more>>

Each week, Sporting News' Matt Hayes ranks the Division I-A conferences—and the teams within each league. Conf. rankings No. 1 SEC No. 2 Pac-10 No. 3 ACC No. 4 Big 12 No. 5 Big Ten No. 6 Big East Nos. 7-11 2. Pac-10 1. Stanford 2. Oregon 3.... USC 4. Arizona 5. Oregon State 6. California 7. Arizona State 8. UCLA 9. Washington 10. Washington State Rising Stanford: Because Pac-10 teams like to use "body of work" as a poll argument, we will, too. Who's playing better than Stanford right now? For the time being, anyway. Falling Washington: Without a freak interception return for a touchdown against Arizona—yet another blown replay call this season—the Huskies would be riding a six-game losing streak since upsetting USC. Matt Hayes covers college football for Sporting News. E-mail him at mhayes@sportingnews.com.more>>

Almost two years ago, Nick Foles walked away from a potential starting quarterback job at Michigan State to join struggling Arizona. Now, the sophomore might be the biggest star on campus in Tucson — he has averaged better than 300 passing yards over his four starts and has the Wildcats in the thick of the Pac-10 race. He dishes on his life and his school with Sporting News: On learning he'd become the starting QB: After the Iowa game, I came in on Sunday to watch film and throw a little and do... a little workout. Coach Dykes, the offensive coordinator, he pulled me into his office and told me he was going to start me. I was excited. You grow up dreaming about starting for a major Division I program. On Sonny Dykes: He's a character. He keeps our meetings pretty interesting. We might be watching a lot of film, and you start to get a little tired. He'll hit the pause button and tell us a funny story about something that happened at Kentucky. He's so laid back, but he has a lot of knowledge. He's been around the offense for so long. The best story Dykes tells: I don't know if I can share those on the phone. The door's closed when we talk about those. Why stay in touch with the guys at Michigan State? I just have a lot of respect for that program. I still keep in touch with a few of the guys and (coach Mark Dantonio). When I left, Coach understood why. It had nothing to do with them, or playing time, or opportunities. So you transferred to Arizona because: I have family in Phoenix. My dad has some business stuff in Phoenix. It's easier for them to get to see me here, and that was important to me. Plus, coach Dykes being here, that made it perfect. On Dykes' boss, coach Mike Stoops: His intensity is amazing. On film, you see him on the sidelines, and he's going through the play like he's in the game. He's always moving around. It can look a little crazy. On former Westlake High (Austin, Texas) star Drew Brees: I didn't get to know him personally. I had shoulder surgery with the same doctor that's worked on him, Dr. Andrews. Drew left a message on my cell phone and told me what everything would be like. In Westlake, Drew Brees is the man. He was a big-time guy at that school. Are we talking statue or anything? Nah. They don't even retire jerseys out there. But there is a big state championship sign for the 1996 team. Everybody knows he had a lot to do with that. On-campus reaction to the Wildcats: Yeah, people are sill wearing the Arizona football shirts and jerseys. Near this time of year, people usually forget about football and look at basketball season. We've got a lot still to prove, but we're keeping them interested this year. On watching the USC-Oregon game: They're both great teams with so much talent. We've got to take care of business before we play them. But that's two really tough games. So what about a Pac-10 title? We can do it if we keep playing as a team. Is that enough? That's enough to get it done.more>>

Each week, Sporting News' Matt Hayes ranks the Division I-A conferences and the teams within each league. Conf. rankings No. 1 SEC No. 2 Pac-10 No. 3 Big Ten No. 4 ACC No. 5 Big 12 No. 6 Big East Nos. 7-11 2. Pac-10 1. Oregon 2. USC 3. Arizona... 4. Oregon State 5. Stanford 6. California 7. Arizona State 8. Washington 9. UCLA 10. Washington State Rising Oregon: Ducks have outscored their last five Pac-10 opponents 208-58 and are primed for first Rose Bowl in 15 years. Falling USC: All that talk about USC's dominating defense has come to this: In the last three games, the Trojans have given up 110 points and 1,462 yards. Yikes. Matt Hayes covers college football for Sporting News. E-mail him at mhayes@sportingnews.com.more>>

Each week, Sporting News' Matt Hayes ranks the Division I-A conferences and the teams within each league. Conf. rankings No. 1 Pac-10 No. 2 SEC No. 3 ACC No. 4 Big East No. 5 Big Ten No. 6 Big 12 Nos. 7-11 1. Pac-10 1. USC 2. Oregon 3.... Arizona 4. Stanford 5. California 6. Oregon State 7. Arizona State 8. Washington 9. UCLA 10. Washington State Rising USC: QB Matt Barkley gets more comfortable and confident with each game, and the offense now is doing what everyone thought it would: carrying the defense. Falling Arizona State: Sun Devils are limited offensively, and struggle to string together consecutive successful plays. Now, the problem: The heavy lifting of the schedule looms. Matt Hayes covers college football for Sporting News. E-mail him at mhayes@sportingnews.com.more>>

The first set of BCS standings released this week shows that college football remains an aristocracy. If Florida, Alabama and Texas keep winning, no other team will crack the national title chase. "We should just close down all the other football teams and just have six teams play for it," Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly said sarcastically this week. "And we'll all play for something else." Kelly's team is one of the pleasant surprises of this season's first half. No Big East team appeared in the... preseason Top 25 and, despite being the defending champion, the Bearcats weren't expected to win their own league. And Iowa? A New Year's Day bowl looked like a reasonable goal. Just not the New Year's Day game called the Rose Bowl. Arizona and Boston College, meanwhile, were supposed to reside near the basement of their leagues, and both are in the hunt for a conference title at the midway point. No. 7 Iowa (7-0, 3-0 Big Ten) What's working: Second-half comebacks. The Hawkeyes have trailed by double digits three times this year and rallied for wins. Despite eight interceptions, QB Ricky Stanzi has grown quite clutch. Can it last? No. Two tough road games with Michigan State (Saturday) and Ohio State (Nov. 14) will prove too much. No. 5 Cincinnati (6-0, 2-0 Big East) What's working: A thriving front seven. New defensive coordinator Bob Diaco has mixed 4-3 and 3-4 looks and turned linebackers Alex Daniels and Walter Stewart into stars. "It looks like they've borrowed a lot of ideas from the Patriots," Louisville coach Steve Kragthorpe said on a teleconference. Can it last? Yes. If the Bearcats can slow WVU's Noel Devine and Pitt's Dion Lewis, they might play for a national championship. Arizona (4-2, 2-1 Pac-10) What's working: QB Nick Foles. Foles has averaged 351 passing yards in three starts and excels in offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes' four-WR sets. "The quick game is his forte," UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said on a teleconference. "He makes you kind of dance to his tune." Can it last? No. The Cats will struggle late against the Cal, Oregon and USC defenses. Boston College (5-2, 3-2 ACC) What's working: Montel Harris and the run game. With inconsistency at quarterback and a young defense, Harris' 5.6 yards per rush makes him an All-ACC candidate. Can it last? Yes. The Eagles' remaining leagues games (at Virginia, UNC, at Maryland) give them a chance to win the Atlantic Division. Dave Curtis is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at dcurtis@sportingnews.com.more>>

Sporting News staff reports Arizona QB Nick Foles, nose tackle Jurrell Casey of USC and punter Bryan Anger of California have been named Pac-10 players of the week. Foles completed 40 of 51 passes (.784) for a career-high 415 yards and three touchdowns of 43, 11 and 1 yard, with no interceptions in the win over Stanford. The 40 completions are the second-highest single-game total in Arizona history. Casey played a leading role in USC's... 34-27 win at No. 25-ranked Notre Dame with a game-high 10 tackles, including one tackle for loss, and forced a fumble. Anger averaged 50.0 yards on seven punts, with four of the seven punts traveling 50-plus yards, with a long boot of 72 yards.  more>>

Each week, Sporting News' Matt Hayes ranks the Division I-A conferences—and the teams within each league. 2. Pac-10 1. USC 2. Oregon 3. Arizona 4. Oregon State 5. California 6. Stanford 7. Arizona State 8. Washington 9. UCLA 10. Washington State Rising Arizona: Wildcats have become the epitome of the Pac-10 (outside USC) reputation: last team with the ball wins. Why knock it? They're in the BCS rankings for first time under coach Mike Stoops. Falling UCLA: First it was... struggles on offense, then a stout defense caved last weekend vs. Cal. Lack of consistency has pushed UCLA back to the lower half of the league.more>>

The first BCS standings are out and that can mean only one thing: let the sweet symphony of complaining begin. Four surprises from Week 1's standings: No. 2 Alabama: The Nicktator will find out who kept his Tide and No. 2, and heaven help them. No. 4 Boise State: Highest ranking for a non-BCS team—and one of five non-BCS teams in the standings. No. 7 USC: Computer polls don't like USC, the highest-ranked one-loss team. No. 22 Arizona: Two-loss Cats are ranked 37th (Harris) and 40th (coaches)... by human polls but a lot higher by geeks with slide rules. Matt Hayes covers college football for Sporting News. E-mail him at mhayes@sportingnews.com.more>>