PAC-12 Preview Part IV
Arizona
The Arizona Wildcats with new head coach Jedd Fisch are looking to find a way to compete. As the Wildcats rebuild they have already started having a foundation switch. Listening to players who attended the Media Day spoke of good changes already in progress.
With only twelve returning starters, the Wildcats will be looking for some young players to come in and compete for big jobs. The quarterback race between two freshman signal callers Gunner Cruz & Will Plummer who will be under center more often then years past. Coach Fisch will bring NFL background to run a more traditional style with a running game.
The defensive line returning all three fourth of the starters, all four starters are upper classman. This line will be able to more aggressive in the new defense of scheme. The second line of defense has a few transfer added who will step right in to make contributions.
Tucson is always a special place to play with great tradition so kicking off the season in Las Vegas verse BYU will be a nice first game to get this new era started on September 4, 2021.
Predictions 4-8
Arizona State
Herm Edwards is back back for his fourth season with the Sun Devils making steady progress. This is the season were they are suppose to make some noise and kick up dust in the PAC-12 South. The NCAA might be just the team to slow them down with sanctions if they are found in violation of recruiting rules.
On the field Arizona State brings back 15 starters with second year quarterback Jayden Daniels back running the same offense. The game will begin to slow down this season for Daniels which will allow his team to put points on the board to rack up victories. Four of five lineman are returning that will give Daniels time and open up holes for Rachaad White at running back.
Veteran leadership at linebacker from Los Angeles, which has been a hotspot for recruits. Merlin Robertson (Serra HS), Darien Butler (Narbonne) are both four year starters looking to rip the PAC-12 up. Then look behind them with the secondary led by 3 seniors who are ball hawks which are need to slow down the air raids.
This should be Edwards’ best team on the field winning a few games that they were not experienced enough last year to win.
Predictions 10-3
