Arizona Wildcats 2017 schedule breakdown: Washington, Stanford out; Friday-night lights in

Wildcats football schedule

The Pac-12 schedule rotation was kind to the Arizona Wildcats this season: They don’t have to face conference co-favorite Washington or perennial contender Stanford. Additionally, Arizona doesn’t have back-to-back road games until the end of the season — and one of those is a short bus trip to Tempe. But when you’re coming off a 3-9 season, you can’t take any opponent lightly. That includes Arizona’s pair of non-conference games against Group of Five foes Houston and UTEP. Although it takes place in Week 2, the matchup against the Cougars could determine whether the Wildcats make a bowl game.

One oddity in Arizona’s schedule: In one early stretch, the UA won’t play on three consecutive Saturdays. The Wildcats visit UTEP and host Utah on back-to-back Fridays. They have the following week off.

Here’s a week-by-week breakdown of Arizona’s 2017 schedule:

Northern Arizona

When: Sept. 2, 8 p.m.

Where: Arizona Stadium

TV: Pac-12 Networks

What to expect: When they last played the Lumberjacks, in 2015, the Wildcats posted school records for points (77) and total yards (792). Similar fireworks are expected this time against Division I-AA NAU, which went 5-6 last season. The game will answer questions about Rich Rodriguez’s quarterback plan, and it will mark the debuts of several freshmen who impressed in spring and fall camps. A year ago, Arizona struggled to get past I-AA Grambling State — which didn’t lose another game — but a similar outcome isn’t expected in this matchup.

Player to watch: WR Emmanuel Butler. The senior — a first-team All-Big Sky Conference selection last year and a preseason pick this year — will present a difficult challenge for Arizona’s cornerbacks. Butler is listed at 6-4, 220. Both of the Wildcats’ projected starters, Jace Whittaker and Dane Cruikshank (who also could see time at safety), had trouble defending bigger receivers at times in 2016. Butler, who also played basketball at Phoenix Mountain Pointe High, caught 64 passes for a school-record 1,208 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2015. He followed that up with a 69-1,003-9 line last year.

All-time: Arizona leads the series 13-1, with the lone loss coming by a score of 7-6 in 1932. The only other meeting decided by single digits was the first one, in 1931, which Arizona won 19-12.

Houston

When: Sept. 9, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Arizona Stadium

TV: ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU

What to expect: A dogfight. Never mind that the Cougars don’t play in a Power Five conference and lost Tom Herman to Texas. Most of the squad that upset Oklahoma and blew out Louisville last year is back. The biggest changes are at head coach, where Major Applewhite succeeds Herman, and at quarterback, where former Texas A&M starter Kyle Allen follows Greg Ward Jr. Houston is the biggest obstacle standing between Arizona and a 3-0 start – which would give the Wildcats more margin for error in their quest for bowl eligibility.

Player to watch: DT Ed Oliver. Herman was able to lure the No. 1 defensive tackle in Texas to Houston, and the five-star recruit didn’t disappoint as a freshman. Oliver earned first-team All-America honors after registering 23 tackles for losses, including five sacks, nine passes defensed and three forced fumbles. The 6-3, 290-pound future pro will be a handful for center Nathan Eldridge and his teammates up front. Keeping Oliver out of the backfield is essential to keeping the chains moving for Arizona.

All-time: This is just the third meeting between the schools, which split the first two, both in Tucson. Houston won the first one, 34-17 in 1969. The Wildcats won the second, 37-3 in 1986, to kick-start a 9-3 season under Larry Smith.

UTEP

When: Sept. 15 (Friday), 7:15 p.m.

Where: Sun Bowl (capacity: 51,500), El Paso, Texas

TV: ESPN

What to expect: If Arizona beats Houston, this game has trap potential. It’s a short week, and the Pac-12 opener against Utah is on tap seven days later. If Arizona loses to Houston, the Miners assuredly will get the Wildcats’ full attention. UTEP went 4-8 last season, its 10th losing record in the past 11 seasons. The last time it visited a Conference USA school, in September 2014, Arizona eked out a 26-23 victory over Texas-San Antonio. That UA team would finish 10-4.

Player to watch: LB Alvin Jones. Jones earned a spot on the preseason all-conference team as voted by the league’s coaches. As a junior last year, Jones compiled a team-leading 93 tackles. Six — including 2.5 sacks — resulted in lost yardage. Jones had 93 tackles, including 14.5 for losses (6.5 sacks), the previous season. Jones is the twin brother of former UTEP star tailback Aaron Jones, whom the Green Bay Packers selected in the fifth round of this year’s NFL draft.

All-time: Arizona leads the series — which began 101 years ago — 38-11-2. The teams last met in 2003 — a 42-7 UA victory that turned out to be John Mackovic’s last as Wildcats coach. UTEP last defeated Arizona in 1970.

Utah

When: Sept. 22 (Friday), 7:30 p.m.

Where: Arizona Stadium

TV: FS1

What to expect: Arizona gave heavily favored Washington everything it could handle in last year’s Pac-12 opener in Tucson, and Utah knows all too well how quickly things can go south for visitors to Arizona Stadium. The Wildcats appeared to be on their way to a fifth straight victory over the Utes last year in Salt Lake City before the game swung late in the second quarter. Arizona will get its first live look at new offensive coordinator Troy Taylor’s up-tempo scheme — but still should expect typical Utah physicality.

Player to watch: DE Kylie Fitts. One of the top defensive end prospects in the class of 2013, the 6-4, 260-pound Fitts began his career at UCLA before transferring. He had seven sacks and four forced fumbles in 2015 and was on his way to another stellar campaign last year before suffering a season-ending foot injury in Week 2. Now Fitts is back, adding an edge element to what was already one of the conference’s best defensive lines.

All-time: Last year’s loss was the first against the Utes under Rodriguez — and the first time in the past five meetings the Wildcats failed to score at least 34 points. Utah leads the all-time series 21-19-2.

Colorado

When: Oct. 7, time TBA

Where: Folsom Field (capacity: 53,613), Boulder, Colorado

TV: TBA

What to expect: The Wildcats’ disposition coming out of their bye will depend on how they fare the first four games. The outcomes range from realistic (2-2) to optimistic (4-0). Regardless, Arizona will face what should be one of the top offenses in the league — even with a change at quarterback from Sefo Liufau to Steven Montez. The CU defense could take a dip after losing several players to the NFL and coordinator Jim Leavitt to Oregon. Colorado might view Arizona as a reprieve after starting Pac-12 play vs. Washington and at UCLA.

Player to watch: RB Phillip Lindsay. Like the Buffaloes as a whole, Lindsay doesn’t get the credit he deserves. A rare three-time captain, Lindsay rushed for 1,252 yards and 16 touchdowns last season — most in the Pac-12. He also caught 53 passes for 493 yards and a score. Lindsay rushed for 122 yards and three touchdowns in last year’s 49-24 CU victory, including a 34-yard scoring dash that put the game on ice in the fourth quarter.

All-time: As with Utah, last year represented a shift in the rivalry; the Wildcats had won all four previous meetings under Rodriguez. Colorado leads the series 14-5. Arizona has won three of the past four games in Boulder.

UCLA

When: Oct. 14, time TBA

Where: Arizona Stadium

TV: TBA

What to expect: This could be a look-ahead game for UCLA with Oregon looming the following week, although the Bruins do have a bye before visiting Tucson. Like Rodriguez, UCLA coach Jim Mora is under pressure after a disastrous 4-8 season. Even with QB Josh Rosen missing half the season, the Bruins had too much talent to struggle that much. The roster remains chock-full of four-star recruits. But with a brutal schedule, it’s not inconceivable UCLA will be 2-3 and desperate to win come kickoff.

Player to watch: Rosen. The outspoken junior draws undue attention for his honesty about the NCAA and other issues, obscuring his ability as a player. The Wildcats saw it first-hand when he threw three touchdown passes against them last year. Despite little support from the run game, Rosen had a higher average per attempt and efficiency rating than his freshman year when he got hurt. The hope in Westwood is that new offensive coordinator Jeff Fisch can raise Rosen’s game to another level.

All-time: UCLA leads the series 24-15-2, including five wins in a row. Three were blowouts (including 45-24 last season), and only one was decided by single digits (31-26 in 2013). Arizona had won five straight meetings before getting embarrassed 66-10 in 2012.

California

When: Oct. 21, time TBA

Where: Cal Memorial Stadium (capacity: 63,186), Berkeley

TV: TBA

What to expect: A lot has changed since Arizona last faced Cal in the “Hill Mary” game in 2014. Justin Wilcox, a former defensive coordinator, has taken over for Sonny Dykes, who couldn’t get the defense fixed in four seasons in Berkeley. Two former UA staffers are now at Cal: Charlie Ragle (special teams/tight ends) and Miguel Reveles (quality control/special teams). The Golden Bears will face the Wildcats after a murderous stretch to start Pac-12 play: vs. USC, at Oregon, at Washington, vs. Washington State.

Player to watch: WR Demetrius Robertson. Cal enters 2017 with uncertainty at quarterback, but ample talent at receiver. Robertson looked like a star in the making as a freshman, hauling in 50 passes for 767 yards and seven touchdowns. He’ll take on an even bigger role this year with leading receiver Chad Hansen vying for an NFL job. Arizona will have to figure out a way to deal with Robertson’s speed; he ran the 100 meters in 10.72 seconds for Cal’s track team this spring.

All-time: The epic comeback in ’14 gave Arizona a three-game winning streak in the series and a 16-14-2 overall edge. Each of the past four meetings, dating to 2009, has been decided by eight or fewer points.

Washington State

When: Oct. 28, time TBA

Where: Arizona Stadium

TV: TBA

What to expect: A more competitive game than last year. It would be almost impossible for Arizona to be less competitive, short of not showing up at all. Rodriguez and his staff will hammer that theme home all week — repeatedly reminding their players about the 69-7 thrashing the Cougars inflicted upon the Wildcats last November. With a majority of starters returning — including star quarterback Luke Falk — Washington State again is expected to be among the conference’s upper echelon.

Player to watch: Falk. The numbers he has posted against Arizona are almost comical (unless you’re a UA fan). In two appearances, Falk has completed 79 of 97 passes (81.4 percent) for 825 yards with nine touchdowns and no interceptions. Those are video-game numbers — if you’re playing on rookie level. It’s absolutely imperative that the Wildcats make Falk uncomfortable this time, or he will torch them again. Marcel Yates’ conservative game plan did not work last year in Pullman.

All-time: Washington State has won the past two meetings and three of the past four. The Cougars have scored at least 37 points in each of the past three games, averaging 50.3 per contest. Arizona leads the series 26-16.

USC

When: Nov. 4, time TBA

Where: L.A. Memorial Coliseum (capacity: 92,348), Los Angeles

TV: TBA

What to expect: Led by quarterback Sam Darnold, USC is expected to compete for the national championship this year. To do so, the Trojans will have to survive a schedule featuring nary a bye. This will be USC’s 10th game in as many weeks, coming on the heels of back-to-back road games (Notre Dame, Arizona State). But if the Trojans are in the hunt for the College Football Playoff, the Wildcats can expect to get their full attention and best effort.

Player to watch: Darnold. If he declares for the draft, the redshirt sophomore could be the first pick next spring. Darnold sliced up the Arizona defense for 235 yards and five touchdowns in last year’s 48-14 USC victory in Tucson. He also rushed for 54 yards. Darnold is built like a linebacker at 6-4, 220, yet possesses the ability to escape the pocket and buy time for his receivers to get open. The Arizona defense should be an improved unit by November, but Darnold’s instinctive style makes him difficult to prepare for.

All-time: Last year’s USC win was its fourth in a row in the series — but the first in that span decided by more than one score. Each of the previous nine meetings had a margin of eight or fewer points. The Trojans lead the series 32-8.

Oregon State

When: Nov. 11, time TBA

Where: Arizona Stadium

TV: TBA

What to expect: Oregon State ended last season strong, thumping Arizona before defeating Oregon in the Civil War. That finish — combined with some inspired performances in close losses — produced abundant optimism for 2017 in Corvallis. We’ll know by this point in this season whether Oregon State is really “this year’s Colorado.” Regardless of how good the Beavers are or whether the Wildcats are fighting for a bowl berth, expect an inspired effort from Arizona in its seniors’ final home game.

Player to watch: RB Ryan Nall. The bruising tailback — listed at 6-2, 237 — ran all over the Wildcats in last year’s 42-17 OSU romp. Nall rushed 23 times for 124 yards and a touchdown and caught two passes for 15 yards and a score. He finished his sophomore year with 1,165 scrimmage yards and 15 scores in 10 games. Arizona’s defensive front should be deeper, bigger and better this year. Will it be ready for Nall’s power and pass-catching ability out of the backfield?

All-time: Arizona leads the series 22-15-1 — but OSU has won 13 of the past 16 meetings. The Wildcats’ 44-7 victory in 2015 ended a streak of six straight Beaver wins in Tucson.

Oregon

When: Nov. 18, time TBA

Where: Autzen Stadium (capacity: 54,000), Eugene, Oregon

TV: TBA

What to expect: As mentioned, last year’s late-season trip to the state of Oregon did not end well for Arizona. The Wildcats had little to play for and might have been looking ahead to Arizona State — a scenario that could play out again in Eugene. The subtext to this game centers around first-year Ducks coach Willie Taggart, who poached several UA recruits. Rodriguez would never say so publicly, but he undoubtedly would derive a little extra satisfaction from defeating Taggart.

Player to watch: LB Troy Dye. Dye led Oregon with 91 tackles as a freshman last year. Thirteen of those resulted in lost yardage, including 6.5 sacks. He also had one blocked kick and one interception. New coordinator Jim Leavitt moved Dye to middle linebacker, where he’ll serve as the quarterback for what the Ducks hope is a vastly improved defense. Oregon surrendered 41.4 points and 518.4 yards per game last season.

All-time: Arizona’s most recent visit to Autzen Stadium, in October 2014, produced one of the biggest victories in recent program history. Oregon avenged it with a 51-13 blowout win in the Pac-12 Championship Game. The teams haven’t met since. Oregon leads the series 25-16.

Arizona State

When: Nov. 25, time TBA

Where: Sun Devil Stadium (capacity: 56,232), Tempe

TV: TBA

What to expect: Like last year, when Arizona kept ASU from making a bowl game, there’s a good possibility something important will be at stake in the Territorial Cup. It’s even possible both head coaches’ jobs will be on the line. The Sun Devils will be highly motivated after their embarrassing defensive effort in Tucson last November. It’ll be interesting to see who ASU’s quarterback is by this point in the season. Returnee Manny Wilkins had the lead on newcomer Blake Barnett through most of August.

Player to watch: RB Kalen Ballage. ASU returns veteran backs Ballage and Demario Richard. Ballage is a size-speed freak at 6-3, 230. He might have a bigger role in new coordinator Billy Napier’s offense after a strange 2016. Ballage scored 15 touchdowns — but a record-tying eight came in one game against Texas Tech. He had 137 rushing yards in that game and just 399 in all others. Arizona held him to 13 yards on seven carries. Ballage did catch 10 passes for 64 yards, giving him 44 receptions and 469 yards for the season.

All-time: Arizona leads 49-40-1. Last year’s win was the Wildcats’ second in the past three meetings and improved Rodriguez’s record to 2-3 against Todd Graham. The winning side has scored at least 41 points in all five matchups.