Here are three things to watch in tonightโs Arizona-Hawaii game at Arizona Stadium (7:45 p.m., Pac-12 Networks), plus a score prediction and some pertinent preview links:
1. DAWKINS PART DEUX
The expectation is that Brandon Dawkins will make his second consecutive start at quarterback in place of Anu Solomon, who again is listed as questionable on the injury report because of a knee injury. The hope is that Dawkins will show tangible signs of progress. We know heโs a great athlete; he showed that against Arizona State last season and against Grambling State last week. But can he become a great quarterback? In order to do so, Dawkins must show he can be more accurate and more astute. Twice the Wildcats had receivers open deep against the Tigers, and Dawkins missed them. At least twice he took off running when he could have thrown the ball and utilized his playmakers. Hawaiiโs defense isnโt very good โ itโs among the nationโs worst so far this season โ but that shouldnโt matter. The UA coaching staff needs to see Dawkins improve as a quarterback to consider keeping him as the quarterback. He should get at least one more audition before Pac-12 play begins and Rich Rodriguez has another decision to make.
2. DEFENSE CANโT REST
I donโt expect Hawaiiโs offense to give Arizona as much trouble as Gramblingโs; the Rainbow Warriors donโt have Devante Kincade, whom UA coaches told me was absolutely the real deal. Hawaii does have a productive running game, which should be the focal point of Arizonaโs defensive game plan. Diocemy Saint Juste (5.4 yards per carry) and Steven Lakalaka (5.7) will test the Wildcatsโ defense. Arizona must improve its tackling heading into league play. If the Cats canโt contain Grambling and Hawaiiโs skill-position players, what chance will they have against Washingtonโs and UCLAโs? One subplot in that regard tonight is the first-half absence of middle linebacker Cody Ippolito, who has to sit out after incurring a targeting penalty last week. Jake Matthews will get the start at โMike.โ Michael Barton might also play there. Will the defense suffer any sort of noticeable drop-off without its vocal leader?
3. TAYLOR-MADE OPPORTUNITY
The dismissal of Orlando Bradford from the program changes the dynamic at tailback. Nick Wilson will have to carry a bigger load. And J.J. Taylor will have to be ready to complement him. If thereโs any upside to this situation, itโs that weโll get to see more of Taylor. I heard from multiple people during training camp that heโs far and away Arizonaโs best open-field runner. Coaches and players also praised Taylorโs mental approach and maturity. Will opponents find him as hard to tackle as the Wildcats have? Itโll be fascinating to see how Rodriguez uses Taylor, whoโs listed at 5-6, 170. Running backs coach Calvin Magee told me Taylor can do everything all the other backs can do, including running inside. But Arizona obviously wants to get him in space. The Wildcats rarely throw the ball to their running backs; Wilson has the only two RB receptions so far. Perhaps that will change with Taylor becoming more involved in the offense.
FINAL SCORE: Arizona 45, Hawaii 26
PREVIEW LINKS:
Arizona-Hawaii matchup conjures mixed emotions for Dick Tomey
UA-Hawaii hot sheet: On Michael Eletise, tackling issues and the new Haka
Greg Hansen: Local couple are Rainbow Warriors for life โ thanks to hero father
