Here are three things to watch in tonightβs 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 heβs 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. Hawaiiβs defense isnβt very good β itβs among the nationβs worst so far this season β but that shouldnβt 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 CANβT REST
I donβt expect Hawaiiβs offense to give Arizona as much trouble as Gramblingβs; the Rainbow Warriors donβt 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 Arizonaβs defensive game plan. Diocemy Saint Juste (5.4 yards per carry) and Steven Lakalaka (5.7) will test the Wildcatsβ defense. Arizona must improve its tackling heading into league play. If the Cats canβt contain Grambling and Hawaiiβs skill-position players, what chance will they have against Washingtonβs and UCLAβs? 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 βMike.β 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 thereβs any upside to this situation, itβs that weβll get to see more of Taylor. I heard from multiple people during training camp that heβs far and away Arizonaβs best open-field runner. Coaches and players also praised Taylorβs mental approach and maturity. Will opponents find him as hard to tackle as the Wildcats have? Itβll be fascinating to see how Rodriguez uses Taylor, whoβs 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 β thanks to hero father
