We already knew who the Arizona Wildcats’ 2017 opponents were before Wednesday’s big reveal. Bye-bye, Stanford and Washington. Hello, Cal and Oregon.
But how the schedule fits together is just as critical – maybe even more so – to a team’s success.
Here are some quick thoughts on each of Arizona’s opponents next season:
SEPT. 2: NORTHERN ARIZONA
Comment: Unlike the ’16 opener against BYU, this should be a walkover. FCS Northern Arizona went 5-6 last season. When Arizona and NAU last met, on Sept. 19, 2015, the Wildcats won 77-13, setting school records for points and yards (792).
SEPT. 9: HOUSTON
Comment: This won’t be a walkover. Yes, Tom Herman is gone. And yes, the Cougars stumbled down the stretch, losing their final two games. But Houston returns a ton of starters under new coach Major Applewhite, include star DT Ed Oliver.
SEPT. 16: AT UTEP
Comment: If Arizona loses to Houston, this becomes a must-win game. Even if they’re 2-0, the Wildcats might need to be 3-0 in the non-con to attain bowl eligibility (which might be necessary to save Rich Rodriguez’s job). The Miners have had only one winning season in the past 11.
SEPT. 22: UTAH
Comment: Last year’s Pac-12 opener – a 35-28 OT loss to College Football Playoff participant Washington – represented the pre-Territorial Cup peak of Arizona’s season. The Utes will be wary of the Wildcats, having lost four in a row in the series before 2016. Two additional items of note: This is a Friday-night game, and it marks the return of LB Cody Ippolito, who transferred from the UA to Utah.
OCT. 7: AT COLORADO
Comment: Arizona will be coming off a bye. Colorado will be coming off a trip to UCLA. So there’s that. The Buffaloes will be one of the most intriguing Pac-12 teams of 2017 after their breakthrough in ’16 – although losing their final two games by a combined 79-18 sorta feels like ’14 Arizona, no?
OCT. 14: UCLA
Comment: Arizona saw first-hand what a healthy Josh Rosen could do in last year’s 45-21 Bruins triumph. He’ll be operating a new offense under Jedd Fisch, who comes to Westwood via Ann Arbor, Michigan. Depending on how things have transpired, there could be a lot of coach-on-the-hot-seat talk on both sides in this matchup.
OCT. 21: AT CAL
Comment: This will be a decidedly different-looking Cal team than the one Arizona defeated 49-45 in 2014. Sonny Dykes and his “Bear Raid” offense are out; former Wisconsin and USC defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox is in (to the disbelief of Trojans fans). Cal also will have its third starting QB in as many years.
OCT. 28: WASHINGTON STATE
Comment: The good news – this can’t possibly go worse than last year’s 69-7 humiliation in Pullman. The bad news – QB Luke Falk is back. His numbers in two games against the UA are comical: 79 of 97 (81.4 percent) for 825 yards with nine touchdowns and zero interceptions. The Wildcats might try hitting him a time or two in Round 3.
NOV. 4: AT USC
Comment: This is where the roughest part of Arizona’s schedule begins – the first of three November road games to close the season. The Trojans lose a ton of talent but return Sam Darnold, who might be the best quarterback in the country. Last year’s 48-14 USC victory snapped a string of nine consecutive one-score games in the series.
NOV. 11: OREGON STATE
Comment: This looks like the most winnable game of the month – and it might be a game the Wildcats have to win to ensure bowl eligibility. It’s possible Oregon State – which won its final two games, beating Arizona and Oregon – will be this year’s Colorado. But that seems premature.
NOV. 18: AT OREGON
Comment: This isn’t a traditional rivalry by any means, but there’s unquestionably some rancor between the schools after Oregon poached two of Arizona’s 2017 commits, including QB Braxton Burmeister. Remember the last time the Wildcats visited Eugene? Things have changed dramatically since, on both sides.
NOV. 25: AT ARIZONA STATE
Comment: Will RichRod and Todd Graham both be coaching for their jobs? Will both schools need to win to reach bowl games? Will ASU’s defense show up? Who will Arizona’s quarterback be by season’s end? So many questions. Far too much time to ponder them.
