2023 Season Thread

[gouacats]

Needless to say this week's road game Vs a mid-to-poor Stanford team is a must win?

Stanford looked slow and predictable in beating Hawaii, were mercilessly steamrolled by USC, and last weekend upset by Sacramento State.

Because after Stanford the Wildcats next SEVEN opponents are currently RANKED: #8 Washington, @ #5 USC, @ #21 Washington State, #14 Oregon State, #22 UCLA, @ #19 Colorado, and #11 Utah.

Good grief - can we get a break!?!?

Absolutely a must win...if we want to go to a bowl game. Have to beat Stanford, ASu and 2 of those 7 to make it. We're a much better team, but it's going to be a challenge to make a bowl game!

[PHXCATS]

Needless to say this week's road game Vs a mid-to-poor Stanford team is a must win?

Stanford looked slow and predictable in beating Hawaii, were mercilessly steamrolled by USC, and last weekend upset by Sacramento State.

Because after Stanford the Wildcats next SEVEN opponents are currently RANKED: #8 Washington, @ #5 USC, @ #21 Washington State, #14 Oregon State, #22 UCLA, @ #19 Colorado, and #11 Utah.

Good grief - can we get a break!?!?

Absolutely a must win...if we want to go to a bowl game. Have to beat Stanford, ASu and 2 of those 7 to make it. We're a much better team, but it's going to be a challenge to make a bowl game!

I think it is a must win for even more reasons. Need to win this one to get the casuals to buy in. Being 3-1 and facing a top 10 team next week will really boost attendance. The casuals are buying in more now but need this one to really get them in.

Also just the mindset of the team going into the next 7 games. The way the defense is playing this team has a chance in all of the 7 if they continue playing close to that way and get a few more turnovers. But being 3-1 vs 2-2 going into that stretch will give the team so much more confidence and mental strength to battle when things are going their way.

Bear the Fuck Down and beat Stanford. Crazy U of A has not beaten Stanford since that epic game between Andrew Luck and Nick Foles in 2009.

[azcat49]

Stanford and ASSU must wins. Oregon St, UCLA, WAZZU, Utah and CU we have to find a way to win 2

[PHXCATS]

Stanford and ASSU must wins. Oregon St, UCLA, WAZZU, Utah and CU we have to find a way to win 2

The goal for me is to compete next year. While. I really want a bowl game the extra practice time is more important.

I think the Cats can win 2 or 3 of those if the defense can continue to play close to the level they have in the non conference

[tgrumpy2]

Stanford and ASSU must wins. Oregon St, UCLA, WAZZU, Utah and CU we have to find a way to win 2

The goal for me is to compete next year. While. I really want a bowl game the extra practice time is more important.

I think the Cats can win 2 or 3 of those if the defense can continue to play close to the level they have in the non conference

Personally I think CU is out over their skis a bit to far. I think they'll get their reality check this week. I think WAZZU and UCLA are both beatable. Winning 6 or seven games will be a challenge but its not a bridge to far. Its more than doable.

[PHXCATS]

Stanford and ASSU must wins. Oregon St, UCLA, WAZZU, Utah and CU we have to find a way to win 2

The goal for me is to compete next year. While. I really want a bowl game the extra practice time is more important.

I think the Cats can win 2 or 3 of those if the defense can continue to play close to the level they have in the non conference

Personally I think CU is out over their skis a bit to far. I think they'll get their reality check this week. I think WAZZU and UCLA are both beatable. Winning 6 or seven games will be a challenge but its not a bridge to far. Its more than doable.

100% agree

[dmjcat]

I believe we have a QB controversy. It will be interesting to see how Fisch handles it.

[Chicat]

I believe we have a QB controversy. It will be interesting to see how Fisch handles it.

I was calling for Fifita to come in well before JDL’s injury.

[Postmaster]

Wazzu put a hurt on NtOSU so…..

CU finally played a good team.

[Fishclamps]

I believe we have a QB controversy. It will be interesting to see how Fisch handles it.

He should start Fifita, the offense looked so much more like a well oiled machine with him under center.

But.....I'm sure JDL will be starting next Saturday like nothing ever happened.

[Siempre Verde]

I believe we have a QB controversy. It will be interesting to see how Fisch handles it.

He should start Fifita, the offense looked so much more like a well oiled machine with him under center.

But.....I'm sure JDL will be starting next Saturday like nothing ever happened.

After watching some of the Washington game last night, I’m not sure if it will ultimately matter who is playing QB next week. My lord, it could get ugly. I hope not, but it’s going to take some out of mind/body performances to compete with that offense.

BTW, I was truly impressed with the effort given by ASU last night in their loss. (You have no idea how difficult it was for me to type that.)

[dmjcat]

[CatMG]

I believe we have a QB controversy. It will be interesting to see how Fisch handles it.

I was calling for Fifita to come in well before JDL’s injury.

JDL's decision making left a LOT to be desired last night. Hate to say it but if he doesn't get hurt last night they probably don't win.

[PHXCATS]

Washington favored by 21. Already put a decent bet on Arizona. Smaller than the ones I did for Miss St and UTEP but bigger than most my plays. Only put a cheap free bet on the game last night thankfully

[PHXCATS]

I believe we have a QB controversy. It will be interesting to see how Fisch handles it.

I was calling for Fifita to come in well before JDL’s injury.

JDL's decision making left a LOT to be desired last night. Hate to say it but if he doesn't get hurt last night they probably don't win.

I think Cats win with JDL last night the final quarter

I do wonder how much of his poor play was due to the settlement stuff coming back this week

[azcat49]

JDL seemed totally out of it. His fundamentals were terrible. He never stepped up into the pocket and he looked very undisciplined.

With the way he was rolled on, I don’t see how he plays this week. I am good with Fafita playing

[MrMeow]

I believe we have a QB controversy. It will be interesting to see how Fisch handles it.

I was calling for Fifita to come in well before JDL’s injury.

Me too, like before the first game.

Free Noah!

[Chicat]

I believe we have a QB controversy. It will be interesting to see how Fisch handles it.

I was calling for Fifita to come in well before JDL’s injury.

Me too, like before the first game.

Free Noah!

Yeah, with the sexual assault shit and how undisciplined he played last year I was fine with 2023 being Fifita time.

[UAEebs86]

If Noah starts, do we get Ari and Merkin back?

[TheGreatCatsby]

JDL had a bad week with off the field stuff, he was out of sorts but didn't play terrible either, made some good throws but wasn't quite there mentally. Definitely liked how crisp everything worked with Fifita, he knew when the middle of the field was wide open to take the free yards running for a first down and move the sticks.

At 3-1, looks like the 4 games we'll have a chance in are home vs. oregon st, home vs. ucla, at colorado, and at assu. Win 3 of 4 out of those we make a bowl. That UCLA game is key, have to win that one with their freshman qb on the road.

Not too optimistic about home vs. washington, at usc, home vs. utah, at washington st. We might be frisky into the 4th in a few of them. At washington st., that one could be the ugliest game of the year. We don't play or coach sharp on the road at all, and their passing offense is incredible. As the schedule shapes up right now, we might have to go 30 days before a next win, the game after the bye vs. oregon st.

[PHXCATS]

Same book that I got 21 at is now 17.5

[MrMeow]

I believe we have a QB controversy. It will be interesting to see how Fisch handles it.

I was calling for Fifita to come in well before JDL’s injury.

Me too, like before the first game.

Free Noah!

Yeah, with the sexual assault shit and how undisciplined he played last year I was fine with 2023 being Fifita time.

JDL appears to have little emotional control on and off the field. The first public evidence was his sideline altercation with Dorian Singer last year, then the way he plays, then the sexual assault. He's obviously a good athlete, but he makes very poor, emotionally driven choices.

It's time for a change. I'm rooting for the high ankle sprain.

[dmjcat]

Arizona players PFF scores for the Stanford game:

https://www.azdesertswarm.com/football/ ... 2-football

The Arizona Wildcats ran 67 offensive snaps and 71 defensive snaps in their 21-20 win over the Stanford Cardinal Saturday. Here is how much each player played along with their Pro Football Focus grades.

Offense
RT Jonah Savaiinaea, 67 (66.6)
C Josh Baker, 67 (61.8)
WR Jacob Cowing, 67 (69.1)
LT Jordan Morgan, 67 (75.0)
LG Wendell Moe, 65 (63.7)
WR Tetairoa McMillan, 65 (60.0)
TE Tanner McLachlan, 64 (60.5)
QB Jayden de Laura, 51 (50.5)
WR Montana Lemonious-Craig, 47 (55.0)
RG Raymond Pulido, 44 (59.7)
RB Jonah Coleman, 35 (66.3)
LG Leif Magnuson, 25 (60.2)
QB Noah Fifita, 16 (74.4)
RB D.J. Williams, 15 (60.3)
TE Roberto Miranda, 12 (59.9)
TE Keyan Burnett, 10 (55.1)
RB Rayshon Luke, 9 (53.5)
RB Michael Wiley, 8 (51.2)
WR Malachi Riley, 3 (58.2)
Defense
LB Jacob Manu, 71 (66.6)
CB Treydan Stukes, 71 (70.8)
S Dalton Johnson, 71 (66.8)
S Gunner Maldonado, 69 (43.7)
CB Ephesians Prysock, 67 (49.0)
DE Isaiah Ward, 48 (43.0)
CB Tacario Davis, 46 (60.4)
DT Tyler Manoa, 43 (65.3)
LB Daniel Heimuli, 43 (53.7)
DL Taylor Upshaw, 41 (84.0)
DT Tiaolii Savea, 40 (70.1)
DL Russell Davis II, 31 (72.3)
DT Jacob Kongaika, 31 (68.0)
CB Dylan Wyatt, 29 (73.5)
DT Sio Nofoagatoto’a, 23 (64.3)
LB Justin Flowe, 20 (68.4)
LB Jeremy Mercier, 13 (79.2)
DT Ta’ita’i Uiagalelei, 9 (78.2)
S Genesis Smith, 7 (51.8)
S Isaiah Taylor, 5 (32.2)
DE Orin Patu, 2 (58.9)

[BBQ wildcat]

I believe we have a QB controversy. It will be interesting to see how Fisch handles it.

I was calling for Fifita to come in well before JDL’s injury.

Me too, like before the first game.

Free Noah!

Yeah, with the sexual assault shit and how undisciplined he played last year I was fine with 2023 being Fifita time.

JDL appears to have little emotional control on and off the field. The first public evidence was his sideline altercation with Dorian Singer last year, then the way he plays, then the sexual assault. He's obviously a good athlete, but he makes very poor, emotionally driven choices.

It's time for a change. I'm rooting for the high ankle sprain.

GTFO with hoping our QB (or ANY player, our team or rival) gets injured. That's some weak ass shit right there.

[Carcassdragger]

I was calling for Fifita to come in well before JDL’s injury.

Me too, like before the first game.

Free Noah!

Yeah, with the sexual assault shit and how undisciplined he played last year I was fine with 2023 being Fifita time.

JDL appears to have little emotional control on and off the field. The first public evidence was his sideline altercation with Dorian Singer last year, then the way he plays, then the sexual assault. He's obviously a good athlete, but he makes very poor, emotionally driven choices.

It's time for a change. I'm rooting for the high ankle sprain.

GTFO with hoping our QB (or ANY player, our team or rival) gets injured. That's some weak ass shit right there.

This. Immature and disgusting.

[Abrahamarvel]

cannot understand the love for maldonando. Cannot cover, seems only thing he does well is hitting, but that leads to missed tackles.

[GlobalCat]

If Noah starts, do we get Ari and Merkin back?

Other fans too. We shouldn’t even be having this conversation if the right decisions were made at the start of the season.

[MrMeow]

I was calling for Fifita to come in well before JDL’s injury.

Me too, like before the first game.

Free Noah!

Yeah, with the sexual assault shit and how undisciplined he played last year I was fine with 2023 being Fifita time.

JDL appears to have little emotional control on and off the field. The first public evidence was his sideline altercation with Dorian Singer last year, then the way he plays, then the sexual assault. He's obviously a good athlete, but he makes very poor, emotionally driven choices.

It's time for a change. I'm rooting for the high ankle sprain.

GTFO with hoping our QB (or ANY player, our team or rival) gets injured. That's some weak ass shit right there.

Perhaps you haven't been keeping up, but JDL has already been injured. He had his ankle sprained. I didn't even have to hope for it. Pay attention!

[MrMeow]

If Noah starts, do we get Ari and Merkin back?

Other fans too. We shouldn’t even be having this conversation if the right decisions were made at the start of the season.

This.

The blind pursuit of wins, which would ostensibly put butts in seats and eyes on the tube, resulting in more $$, also blinded more than one moral compas.

[Chicat]

cannot understand the love for maldonando. Cannot cover, seems only thing he does well is hitting, but that leads to missed tackles.

Did I hear an announcer during the NAU game say he has NFL potential? I don’t see it. Like, at all. He seems to be the guy running three steps behind the play consistently.

[Chicat]

If Noah starts, do we get Ari and Merkin back?

Other fans too. We shouldn’t even be having this conversation if the right decisions were made at the start of the season.

Unfortunately JDL being out doesn’t mean those decision-makers are off the hook. It’s definitely a struggle for me to watch the team knowing what he’s accused of, and our coaching staff and admin’s response to the allegations in the offseason were so dismissive and simplistic that it’s left a sour taste in my mouth toward the whole infrastructure of the program.

[AzCatFan2]

Have to disagree about how the staff handled JDL. The reality is, the case was adjudicated in juvenile court. The records are sealed. We know JDL could have been charged as an adult, but not only was he not, the accepted plea was a slap on the wrist. Tells me there is more to the story than just the victim's side.

And five years ago, we likely never know. The only reason the victim is suing now in civil court is both JDL and his cohort at Wisconsin have NIL deals, meaning they have income. Before the NIL, it's likely the alleged victim would've waited to sue, because JDL would've been a poor student with no major income source. Or someone not worth pursuing a civil case against.

Regardless, I'd like to see Fifita out there. JDL has a gunslinger mentality, and he's equally liable to make a bad decision as he is a great play. JDL is also not setting his feet correctly, and is overthrowing too many balls. It was only one quarter, but 4th Q in a close game, and Fifita played flawlessly. Time to throw Fifita into the fire against UW, the best team in the PAC in my opinion, and give him some great experience.

[CopaCat]

Let's all hop aboard Noah's Ark and float our way into a bowl.

[Chicat]

Have to disagree about how the staff handled JDL.

I’m glad you’re happy with it. Does that mean everyone has to be?

[AzCatFan2]

Have to disagree about how the staff handled JDL.

I’m glad you’re happy with it. Does that mean everyone has to be?

No. But there's no good reason to be unhappy with it. We don't know all the facts. But the facts we do know is JDL could have been charged as an adult. And not only was he not charged as an adult, the punishment was nothing more than an apology letter. The Hawaiian judge ruled, and it's not fair for fans, in my opinion, to play judge, jury, and executioner.

[Chicat]

Have to disagree about how the staff handled JDL.

I’m glad you’re happy with it. Does that mean everyone has to be?

No. But there's no good reason to be unhappy with it.

Oh, I see…

[AzCatFan2]

Have to disagree about how the staff handled JDL.

I’m glad you’re happy with it. Does that mean everyone has to be?

No. But there's no good reason to be unhappy with it.

Oh, I see…

Like I said before. No NIL, no money for JDL, no reason for the alleged victim to sue, and no public knowledge of the case. Makes you wonder, how many Arizona student athletes in years past had juvie records where the punishment was nothing more than an apology letter?

[tgrumpy2]

Have to disagree about how the staff handled JDL.

I’m glad you’re happy with it. Does that mean everyone has to be?

No. But there's no good reason to be unhappy with it. We don't know all the facts. But the facts we do know is JDL could have been charged as an adult. And not only was he not charged as an adult, the punishment was nothing more than an apology letter. The Hawaiian judge ruled, and it's not fair for fans, in my opinion, to play judge, jury, and executioner.

That's not how things work now. You don't have to know any particulars. All you have to do is have an opinion based on nothing more than how you feel and you can ruin someone's life over it.

[EastCoastCat]

Have to disagree about how the staff handled JDL.

I’m glad you’re happy with it. Does that mean everyone has to be?

No. But there's no good reason to be unhappy with it. We don't know all the facts. But the facts we do know is JDL could have been charged as an adult. And not only was he not charged as an adult, the punishment was nothing more than an apology letter. The Hawaiian judge ruled, and it's not fair for fans, in my opinion, to play judge, jury, and executioner.

That's not how things work now. You don't have to know any particulars. All you have to do is have an opinion based on nothing more than how you feel and you can ruin someone's life over it.

Saying "there's no good reason to be unhappy with it" and "we don't know all of the facts" are not mutually exclusive. That's why you can either be happy or unhappy with how the coaching staff handled the situation.

I think that was Chi's point.

[Chicat]

Thank you ECC.

What was the statement from the AD? Two sentences that boiled down to we are aware of the issue and JDL is going to be a member of the team. Seemed incredibly dismissive of any concerns the students, community, or alumni might have and reeked of “we’re here to win football games and don’t care”.

I think I’m allowed to be not happy with how I perceived the response, but I know AzCatFan2 is probably itching for another land war in Asia type of post battle where he’ll send wave after wave of sentences arguing the minutia of juvenile legal precedents in Hawaii so I’ll just leave it there.

[AzCatFan2]

Thank you ECC.

What was the statement from the AD? Two sentences that boiled down to we are aware of the issue and JDL is going to be a member of the team. Seemed incredibly dismissive of any concerns the students, community, or alumni might have and reeked of “we’re here to win football games and don’t care”.

I think I’m allowed to be not happy with how I perceived the response, but I know AzCatFan2 is probably itching for another land war in Asia type of post battle where he’ll send wave after wave of sentences arguing the minutia of juvenile legal precedents in Hawaii so I’ll just leave it there.

What was Fisch and the school supposed to do armed with the information they had? All we know is JDL did something wrong that he could, in theory, have faced significant prison time as an adult. But all he got was a juvie decision where the entirety of his punishment was an apology letter. What would you do armed with only these facts if you were Fisch, Heeke, or Robbins?

Fisch and the school did the only thing they can do given the facts they were privy to. You can be upset at JDL for doing something stupid that got him into this mess. But Fisch and the school? Their hands are tied by the fact they have very limited facts to go on.

[pc in NM]

Frankly this is the WRONG THREAD for the continuing discussion about JDL's crime and how the U of A Athletic Department handled it.

In the JDL thread, this was discussed at length, and posters had more than ample opportunity to share their views and conclusions.

And, more importantly, not a single new fact about the entire circumstances has been revealed recently, with the exception that we have JDL's below expectation performances (which have absolutely nothing to do with his, or the AD's, past behavior. Discuss those, and what to do moving forward. Go back to the original discussion to re-litigate the entire, tired affair, please.

[BBQ wildcat]

Me too, like before the first game.

Free Noah!

Yeah, with the sexual assault shit and how undisciplined he played last year I was fine with 2023 being Fifita time.

JDL appears to have little emotional control on and off the field. The first public evidence was his sideline altercation with Dorian Singer last year, then the way he plays, then the sexual assault. He's obviously a good athlete, but he makes very poor, emotionally driven choices.

It's time for a change. I'm rooting for the high ankle sprain.

GTFO with hoping our QB (or ANY player, our team or rival) gets injured. That's some weak ass shit right there.

Perhaps you haven't been keeping up, but JDL has already been injured. He had his ankle sprained. I didn't even have to hope for it. Pay attention!

Oh, I have been keeping up all right. Somewhat disingenuous (to say the least) of you, saying you hoped he has the type of sprain that would keep him out of multiple games, then trying to wriggle out of you BS post. If you weren't hoping that he had a really bad ankle sprain, why did you say "I'm rooting for the high ankle sprain"? I'm all for having Fifita play/start, too, but NOT at the expense of having De Laura injured and unable to play in several games. Even if Fifita does start, we may end up really needing De Laura. I wouldn't want to go through the next 7 games with our third string QB. So maybe you can explain why you hoped for a high ankle sprain and not a less problematic, mild sprain?

[Carcassdragger]

Yeah I agree. I've seen this type of post here before-hoping a kid gets injured because he isn't playing up to some fool's standard. Disgusting and just indicates a juvenile maturity level.

[GlobalCat]

Frankly this is the WRONG THREAD for the continuing discussion about JDL's crime and how the U of A Athletic Department handled it.

In the JDL thread, this was discussed at length, and posters had more than ample opportunity to share their views and conclusions.

And, more importantly, not a single new fact about the entire circumstances has been revealed recently, with the exception that we have JDL's below expectation performances (which have absolutely nothing to do with his, or the AD's, past behavior. Discuss those, and what to do moving forward. Go back to the original discussion to re-litigate the entire, tired affair, please.

Huh, I did not realize a statute of limitations or jurisdictional rules applied here.

[Merkin]

If Noah starts, do we get Ari and Merkin back?

Absolutely, at least for me.

But the UA still is not getting any of my money. No more UA gear, and paying to stream the games.

[Carcassdragger]

This team is underrated. If JDL had progressed from last year like he should have, we'd be 5-0.

[tgrumpy2]

If Noah starts, do we get Ari and Merkin back?

Absolutely, at least for me.

But the UA still is not getting any of my money. No more UA gear, and paying to stream the games.

This may shock you but nobody cares.

[Catintheheat]

If Noah starts, do we get Ari and Merkin back?

Absolutely, at least for me.

But the UA still is not getting any of my money. No more UA gear, and paying to stream the games.

This may shock you but nobody cares.

I do. I know he has a daughter. I completely understand where Merkin comes from. He may be female crazy, but he knows the line he can't cross. This is a big issue to him and I get it. When someone crosses the line and effects lives I get why he is so passionate. Merkin has teased about women here, but he never crossed the line. I don't know how much JDL is involved, but I get Merkin's thinking completely.

[Merkin]

Thanks CITH, yes, I was deeply affected due to having a daughter. I also personally know several women who were raped and never reported it.

Not that I could ever support JDL, but would feel less anger towards him if he took responsibility for the assault, or even say "I didn't do it".

But really going to try and not talk about it anymore.

If Noah starts, do we get Ari and Merkin back?

Absolutely, at least for me.

But the UA still is not getting any of my money. No more UA gear, and paying to stream the games.

This may shock you but nobody cares.

Obviously Eebs cared enough to mention me by handle. You must not like having me around, but that's cool. I lost a lot of respect for some posters here due to their take on the matter.