The Arizona football season is set to kickoff this Saturday as the Wildcats take on the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.
Many of our readers have predicted that bowl eligibility is a realistic outcome. Last season, UA had many opportunities to get the six wins needed to qualify for a bowl game, but different variables factored into falling short of that goal.
What will it take this season to get back to a bowl? Here are some reasons how this will (and will not) happen:
Why Arizona will make a bowl game
By starting off fast on offense
One reason
why Arizona was unable to make a bowl game last season was the inability to get off to a fast start on offense. Outside of the New Mexico opener, the Wildcats has a hard time finding the end zone to start games.
Arizona only scored eight first half touchdowns following the New Mexico game, and most of the time that score would come in the second quarter.
Last season, UA finished second to last in the Big 12 in points per game. Take out the New Mexico game and it’s an offense that could not score.
If Arizona can have more games like the New Mexico game last season, it can lead to putting itself in position for a bowl game.
Winning the state
One of Brent Brennan’s mottos this offseason has been “Own the Night,” which refers to the late start of his team’s home games scheduled to start the season.
If Arizona can not only own the night but own the state, it could lead to a possible post season game.
Eight of the 12 games this season take place within the state of Arizona. Seven of those games will be played at Arizona Stadium, and then a trip up North makes it eight.
If the Wildcats can run the table with in-state games, it could be a propeller to the first bowl appearance under Brennan.
Having one or two upset wins
As a result of the 4-8 season last year, and losing three key players to the NFL, the Wildcats will go into most games this season as underdogs. After Hawaii and Weber State, the rest could see the UA getting points.
While most would see this as a bad thing, it presents an opportunity for Arizona to pull off upsets.
There are chances early in the season for this with a Friday night game against Kansas State (the preseason Big 12 favorite). A trip to Ames to take on conference runner ups last season in Iowa State also gives Arizona an opportunity.
Even late in the season, the last two games present potential upset opportunities. Baylor is a team that could be ranked towards the end of the season.
Of course the ASU game is always a coin toss as to who might win that game. However, given the Sun Devils’ success last season, and the fact that the game is in Tempe this year, the Wildcats will more than likely go into that game as underdogs.
Again, many opportunities will present themselves, but Arizona will need to have one or two games this season that turn out to be upset wins. A bowl game could be well in sight if this happens.
Why Arizona won’t go bowling
Injury bug strikes again
Last season’s lack of success was partly due to the fact that many key players for the Wildcats went out with injuries, such as starters Jacob Manu, Gunner Maldonado, Treydan Stukes and Rhino Tapa’atoutai. This led to backups playing unexpected snaps, and losing meaningful experience in the injured starters.
It was an issue that was heavily addressed by Brennan and his coaching staff this offseason. One way they addressed this is the addition of numerous players through the transfer portal.
“That’s what we needed to do to feel like it would give us a chance to field the best football team we could field this season,” said Brennan.
With the added depth to the roster, Arizona should not have to worry if the injury bug strikes again, but if it does, it could lead to another disappointing season.
Lack of production on offense
As already mentioned, Arizona’s offensive performances were some of the worst in the conference.
The Wildcats were 14th out of 16 conference teams in total offense and averaged 353.8 yards per game. One of the reasons for the lack of offense was due to the inability to run the ball, which placed UA as the second worst rushing attack in the Big 12.
Whether it was the lack of depth at the running back position, or instability on the offensive line, Arizona could not move the ball on the ground.
The passing game was better as it was seventh in the conference. This season there needs to be a balance to the offense where both can produce on a consistent basis.
If the offense cannot produce or at least be better than last season, post season chances are small.
Inability to stop the run
Nowadays, in the era of college football, most successful teams rely on the passing game to win games. It’s hard to find success on the ground.
However, Arizona’s opponents found success on the ground time and time again. Especially in key situations like third down or inside the red zone.
The Wildcats defense allowed 175.3 yards per game last season. In five of the 12 games in 2024, opponents were able to rush for 200 yards or more.
If UA cannot improve on those numbers defensively, a bowl game is unlikely.
