“Lev it on the Field” is back for Week 3. It’s the Star’s unique look at Arizona’s upcoming football matchup and other happenings around the Big 12 through the eyes of UA beat reporter-turned-columnist Michael Lev. Away we go ...
It’s gonna be a vicious Cat fight Friday night in Manhattan, Kansas.
Michael Lev is a senior writer/columnist for the Arizona Daily Star, Tucson.com and The Wildcaster.
The outcome of Wildcats vs. Wildcats — No. 20 Arizona at No. 14 Kansas State — will be determined in the alleyways. Both sides have big stars — Noah Fifita, Tetairoa McMillan, Avery Johnson, DJ Giddens. But this one’s all about the big bodies battling in confined spaces
It’s no secret that Arizona’s offensive line struggled last week against NAU. It was the biggest reason the Wildcats scored only 22 points (20 by the offense) in a game in which they were favored by 36.5 points.
But the offensive line we all saw last Saturday might have a completely different look in the Little Apple. Josh Baker — Arizona’s steady, heady center — is likely to return after a one-week absence. The UA might have options at left tackle that enable Jonah Savaiinaea to return to his familiar spot on the right side.
Arizona center Josh Baker prepares to snap the ball to quarterback Noah Fifita during the Wildcats’ game at Washington State on Oct. 14, 2023, in Pullman, Wash.
Sound play upfront is nonnegotiable as Arizona steps up in weight class. Fifita, McMillan & Co. can only do their thing if the blockers do their jobs.
On the other side, this will be by far the sternest test for Arizona’s rebuilt defensive line. We’ve seen what a mobile quarterback can do if that unit plays undisciplined football. Add not one but two explosive running backs to the mix — Giddens and Colorado transfer Dylan Edwards — and the challenge only grows.
Whether it’s Cats vs. Cats this week or Cats vs. Utes on Sept. 28, Arizona has to scratch and claw for every inch of territory.
It’s an absolute necessity in games that could be decided by a whisker.
Take that for data!
Kansas State’s football stadium is named after longtime coach Bill Snyder, who will turn 85 on Oct. 7.
It’s hard to think of anyone who’s had a greater impact on a program.
Kansas State head coach Bill Snyder watches from the sideline during the second half of the Wildcats’ game against Iowa State on Nov. 24, 2018, in Ames, Iowa. Snyder posted a .647 winning percentage over 27 seasons at KSU.
When Snyder became KSU’s coach in 1989, Kansas State football flat-out stunk. Before his arrival, KSU — which started playing football in 1896 — had appeared in one bowl game. In the four previous seasons, KSU won a total of three games. In 1987 and ’88, Kansas State went 0-21-1.
Pre-Bill Snyder, KSU football had two winning seasons from 1955-88. It had more winless seasons (five) during that span.
The first year under Synder was rough — 1-10. He just kept building.
KSU went to 19 bowl games in two Snyder stints spanning 27 years. Kansas State won 10 or more games nine times.
Snyder retired with a winning percentage of .647. All other KSU coaches have a combined winning percentage of .396. That includes current coach Chris Klieman (.631), who’s pulled off the improbable: Successfully following a legend.
(Rincon) Market report
Going up: Winning time
How ’bout the Big 12? Last week, three conference teams had a game-winning score in the final minutes (or later) to defeat a Power Four opponent. BYU edged SMU (ACC) 18-15 on Will Ferrin’s 26-yard field with 2:03 to play. Oklahoma State survived Arkansas (SEC) in double overtime. And Iowa State nipped Iowa (Big Ten) 20-19 via Kyle Konrardy’s 54-yard boot with nine second to go. OSU was the only one playing at home and favored to win.
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders hypes up the fans during the Buffaloes’ opener against North Dakota State on Aug. 29 in Boulder, Colorado.
Going down: Prime Time
Colorado is better than when Deion Sanders took over the program. But when you’re the worst team in the then-Power Five, that’s a low bar to clear. Since starting last season 3-0, the Buffaloes have gone 2-9. With Colorado State and Baylor up next, they have a chance to get to 3-1 before the schedule ramps up (at UCF, vs. KSU, at Arizona). Where is this thing headed? Under Sanders, CU has had more off-field controversies than high school commitments. At some point, you have to win games and recruiting battles (participating in them would help too). If not, the buzz around the Buffs just becomes bluster.
A question from my X
“Now that the U of A has played two games, what are your thoughts? And can you compare right now to last season?” — @j_vazquez_93 via X/Twitter
It’s really hard to know what to make of this team, which has played two games that barely resemble each other. Arizona also hasn’t shown all of its cards on either side of the ball.
Although Brent Brennan was able to keep most of the squad intact, it would have been naïve to expect a completely smooth transition. The offensive coaching staff is entirely new. The defensive line had to be reconstructed. There were bound to be bumps.
Given that context, I find it ridiculous that some already are questioning Brennan’s bona fides. He won at a place (San Jose State) where it’s extremely difficult to win. He did it by building a culture, finding hidden gems and developing those players.
That formula will work here.
Threads
Kansas might have the most underrated gear in college sports. KU’s all-black uniforms for Friday’s game against UNLV are the latest example. They feature the 1941 “Angry Jayhawk” on the helmets and sleeves; “circus font” for the numbers; and, critically, red and blue stripes on the pants. Important rule of thumb if you’re going with an “alt” uniform: Make sure your traditional school colors are represented. Kansas nailed it.
What he said ...
“T-Mac is one of our best players. For us to be at our best, he needs to touch the ball. We need to find ways to make sure he gets the ball. I don't know what that number is. But I know if you and I were on a three-man basketball team, and the other guy was Michael Jordan, I don't think you and I are supposed to shoot a whole bunch. ... We have other guys that can make plays. But there's no doubt that T-Mac is special.” — UA offensive coordinator Dino Babers
What he meant ...
“No disrespect whatsoever to our other players. Jeremiah Patterson might be a breakout star. Keyan Burnett too. I could go on and on. But Tetairoa McMillan is that guy, and if he’s not thriving, I’m not doing my job. Do we want him to have a 50% target share every week? Probably not. But two catches for 11 yards isn’t it either. If MJ didn’t get his shots up, the Bulls weren’t winning squat.”
The other side
Kellis Robinett, via The Kansas City Star:
Things are about to get even tougher for Kansas State’s defense.
A week after the Wildcats defeated Tulane 34-27 despite allowing quarterback Darian Mensah to throw for a whopping 342 yards and two touchdowns, they must now figure out a way to slow down one of the top quarterbacks and wide receivers in all of college football.
All eyes will be on Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita and his top target, Tetairoa McMillan, when they arrive for a rare Friday game at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. ...
Utah quarterback Cameron Rising walks off the field following the Utes’ game against Baylor on Sept. 7, in Salt Lake City. Rising suffered a hand injury and likely will miss this week’s game at Utah State.
“Those two are in sync,” Klieman said. “The quarterback and wide receiver are as in tune, and have as good a chemistry, as any two people that I’ve faced.”
Pick to click (aka #fadelev)
It’s looking increasingly unlikely that Utah quarterback Cam Rising (hand) will be able to play against Utah State on Saturday. If we’ve learned one thing about college football over the past two seasons it’s that the Utes struggle to score if Rising is unavailable. They were favored by 20 points over the Aggies when we made our official picks on the Wildcast Podcast on Wednesday. The number is 18.5 as I write this. I’m taking those points either way. (season record: 2-0)
One last thing
So the Pac-12 — or, more likely, Pac-8 — is back. I’m happy for Oregon State and Washington State — who got completely screwed last summer — that they were able to engineer this pseudo-resurrection of our beloved league.
Overall, though, I can’t shake this feeling of indifference. Like, what is the point of all this? Who’s really better off in the end?
Four Pac-12 schools go to the Big Ten. Four more head to the Big 12. Two others join the ACC (LOL). The Pac-12 raids — and probably destroys — the Mountain West. At a certain point, it just becomes white noise.
College football has no central leadership. It’s every conference and school for itself. All in the name of ... revenue.
The sooner we can create the College Football Super League — and return everything else to how it was — the better.
