Game 4 opponent: Washington
When: Sept. 24, time TBA
Where: Arizona Stadium
TV: TBA
What to expect: The Huskies represent a quantum leap in competition. The Wildcats did not handle that jump well last season, losing 56-30 to UCLA one week after beating Northern Arizona 77-13. This will be the first road game for UW, which has a breezy nonconference schedule (Rutgers, Idaho, Portland State). If the Wildcats don’t win this game — in which they likely will be underdogs — they could be staring at an 0-3 (or worse) start in Pac-12 play.
Player to watch: QB Jake Browning. While UCLA’s Josh Rosen got all the pub, fellow 2015 freshman Browning quietly posted comparable numbers. Browning actually had a higher completion percentage (63.3 vs. 60.0) and a better efficiency rating (139.7 vs. 134.3). As bad as it was last season, Arizona’s defense represents the first real test of ’16 for Browning. Expect new UA defensive coordinator Marcel Yates to throw exotic looks at the sophomore that he didn’t see in last year’s matchup.
All time: Washington leads the series 20-11-1 and has won three of the past four meetings, including last year’s 49-3 wipeout in Seattle. That Halloween nightmare was unquestionably the low point for the 2015 Wildcats. Arizona has won the past four meetings in Tucson.
