Best Arizona football photos

Arizona Wildcats head coach Rich Rodriguez smiles and high-fives running back Samajie Grant (10) after his fourth quarter touchdown during the Arizona State University Sun Devils vs. University of Arizona Wildcats in the Territorial Cup college football game on Nov. 25, 2016, at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star

When Pac-12 commissionerย Larry Scottย released the leagueโ€™s 2017 football schedules last week, Arizona probably got the best of the draw. The Wildcats donโ€™t play Washington and Stanford, which, with USC, are apt to be projected among the leagueโ€™s top three powers. Even though Arizonaโ€™s nonconference schedule (Houston, UTEP, NAU) remains tissue-soft, the unfortunate trend is that many are following Arizonaโ€™s lead. Defending champion Washington plays Fresno State, Montana and Rutgers. And South champ Colorado plays Texas State, Northern Colorado and Colorado State. Itโ€™s a disturbing trend, as is Arizonaโ€™s Friday night home game, Sept. 22, against Utah. Itโ€™s the UAโ€™s first Friday night game to conflict with a dozen or more local high school football games that isnโ€™t on Labor Day weekend. Not a good trend.ย 


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