2023 Season Thread

[UAEebs86]

JDL player of the game! Lol

[KaibabKat]

Pick your poll. Highest rated Arizona football team in a quarter century.

[Fishclamps]

The 2 Tmacs above 80? Sign me the fuck up

[Chicat]

[ASUHATER!]

Pick your poll. Highest rated Arizona football team in a quarter century.

Except for when we were #8 in 2014, #9 in 2010 and #4 in 1999....

[Carcassdragger]

Pick your poll. Highest rated Arizona football team in a quarter century.

Except for when we were #8 in 2014, #9 in 2010 and #4 in 1999....

Except for the 99 team, to me, this group feels significantly better than those other teams.

Thinking back to when we were facing the gauntlet of ranked teams, NOBODY thought we come out of it at 8-3. Holy shit, this group is inspiring!!!

Its been a long journey and lets make it fucking count!!! GO CATS!!!!

[KaibabKat]

Pick your poll. Highest rated Arizona football team in a quarter century.

Except for when we were #8 in 2014, #9 in 2010 and #4 in 1999....

2014 Team Final Rankings: Massey 22, AP 19, Coaches 17.
2010 Team was 7-6. Final Massey Ranking was 35 (unranked in AP and Coaches).
1999 Team was 6-6. Final Massey Ranking was 53rd.

[Abrahamarvel]

We need to keep Tyler Owens, what fantastic job he did with our players.

[ASUHATER!]

Most recent ESPN bowl projections have us in the Alamo bowl vs Oklahoma

[pc in NM]

High compliments from CBS:

https://www.cbssports.com/college-footb ... D=42827574

College football winners, losers in Week 12: Texas takes big step forward, Auburn suffers historic loss

Scanning the country to find the biggest winners and losers from the Week 12 college football action

By Shehan Jeyarajah - Nov 19, 2023 at 12:47 am ET

Winner: Arizona

The Wildcats are playing incomprehensibly good football. Arizona has now won five straight games after demolishing No. 22 Utah 42-18. UA went up 28-0 early in the second quarter and was able to coast to victory. Quarterback Noah Fifita threw two touchdown passes, while wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan had yet another 100-yard game in his sensational career.

Suddenly, Arizona looks like one of the scariest teams in college football. The Wildcats only have losses to Washington and USC in conference play by a combined nine points. A triple-overtime road loss against Mississippi State feels like a fever dream. If that game was replayed today, Arizona would be heavily favored. In fact, UA is still alive for a Pac-12 title game berth.

Washington and Oregon are still the class of the Pac-12. However, Arizona is far closer to the top than anyone is ready to acknowledge.

[dovecanyoncat]

Most recent ESPN bowl projections have us in the Alamo bowl vs Oklahoma

Cool. My buddy from Norman and I will have fun with that!

[RawleArenas]

I was going to follow up my comment on the Utah game, but had something come up. Fisch did everything that he could to take the high road with Utah, including putting JDL in with over three minutes left to signal to them that they needed to run out the clock. But there's a fine line in sportsmanship between taking the high road and not standing up for yourself.

Utah looks at Arizona as the kid brother in the Pac 12. Problem is, the kid brother is grown up, is taller and ripped and can fight back. They act like when we play them next year with a better team mind you, that we somehow we are gonna get rolled. Coach W for Utah was reckless and irresponsible for keeping his starters in a game that was unwinnable. Too many freak accidents happen when teams get greedy or try to get cute. If one his players got injured and couldn't play the final two games, that would have been completely and totally on him.

Do I have any sympathy for Utah? None. Nada. Zilch. If they wanna take a shot or dig at us and pretend like the game was still in limbo (by going for two and doing an onside) then Fisch had the right to put one of their corners on Survivor Island with Tmac.

As far as I'm concerned, Utah started it and Fisch finished it.

[Alieberman]

Does anyone else find the humor in hearing people talk about AZ running up the score on an opponent… in football?!!!

[tgrumpy2]

I was going to follow up my comment on the Utah game, but had something come up. Fisch did everything that he could to take the high road with Utah, including putting JDL in with over three minutes left to signal to them that they needed to run out the clock. But there's a fine line in sportsmanship between taking the high road and not standing up for yourself.

Utah looks at Arizona as the kid brother in the Pac 12. Problem is, the kid brother is grown up, is taller and ripped and can fight back. They act like when we play them next year with a better team mind you, that we somehow we are gonna get rolled. Coach W for Utah was reckless and irresponsible for keeping his starters in a game that was unwinnable. Too many freak accidents happen when teams get greedy or try to get cute. If one his players got injured and couldn't play the final two games, that would have been completely and totally on him.

Do I have any sympathy for Utah? None. Nada. Zilch. If they wanna take a shot or dig at us and pretend like the game was still in limbo (by going for two and doing an onside) then Fisch had the right to put one of their corners on Survivor Island with Tmac.

As far as I'm concerned, Utah started it and Fisch finished it.

I agree wholeheartedly with you. Utah had some key defensive players hurt but I don't care. They don't get any more sympathy on that than we would get from them. We kept them out of the end zone and a lot of the yards they got were earned during garbage time. I'm surprised they didn't start getting really chippy with us but I think they had been smacked around a lot more than they let on.

[Chicat]

Does anyone else find the humor in hearing people talk about AZ running up the score on an opponent… in football?!!!

I definitely thought about that. We’ve come a long way baby.

[tgrumpy2]

Does anyone else find the humor in hearing people talk about AZ running up the score on an opponent… in football?!!!

I definitely thought about that. We’ve come a long way baby.

And of all the teams to be running the score up on...Utah. wow.

[RichardCranium]

High compliments from CBS:

https://www.cbssports.com/college-footb ... D=42827574

College football winners, losers in Week 12: Texas takes big step forward, Auburn suffers historic loss

Scanning the country to find the biggest winners and losers from the Week 12 college football action

By Shehan Jeyarajah - Nov 19, 2023 at 12:47 am ET

Winner: Arizona

The Wildcats are playing incomprehensibly good football. Arizona has now won five straight games after demolishing No. 22 Utah 42-18. UA went up 28-0 early in the second quarter and was able to coast to victory. Quarterback Noah Fifita threw two touchdown passes, while wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan had yet another 100-yard game in his sensational career.

Suddenly, Arizona looks like one of the scariest teams in college football. The Wildcats only have losses to Washington and USC in conference play by a combined nine points. A triple-overtime road loss against Mississippi State feels like a fever dream. If that game was replayed today, Arizona would be heavily favored. In fact, UA is still alive for a Pac-12 title game berth.

Washington and Oregon are still the class of the Pac-12. However, Arizona is far closer to the top than anyone is ready to acknowledge.

Triple OT game was U$C wasn't it? MSU was 1 OT?

[TheCat]

Coach W from Utah did everything he could to score, then goes for 2 and follows that with an on-side kick. If you watch Jedd he just stared at him like what are you doing this game is over. He then blitzed JDL and Jedd just stared and then looked down at his call sheet. He then showed Utah that it was bullshit and put a fn knife in those slimy bastards.

Good for Jedd, good for McMillan and especially a great job by JDL.

[arizonawildcats]

[EastCoastCat]

Love it.

And Udub jumps to 4.

[ASUHATER!]

Even if we don't play for the title, if we beat ASU and win our bowl the door is open for a top 10 finish

[Catintheheat]

Even if we don't play for the title, if we beat ASU and win our bowl the door is open for a top 10 finish

Not likely, but it is possible.

[UAEebs86]

Even if we don't play for the title, if we beat ASU and win our bowl the door is open for a top 10 finish

Not likely, but it is possible.

Why not? Half the teams above us are going to lose their bowl game most likely since they will be playing each other. Some could get two losses (conference championship game and a bowl game)

[KillerKlown]

Hope for chaos this weekend.

[EastCoastCat]

In the prior format we would have won the Pac South.

[ASUHATER!]

Even if we don't play for the title, if we beat ASU and win our bowl the door is open for a top 10 finish

Not likely, but it is possible.

Why not? We're already #15 and finishing with 2 more wins including possibly another win over a ranked team in a bowl would warrant a #10 or so finish

[Catintheheat]

Even if we don't play for the title, if we beat ASU and win our bowl the door is open for a top 10 finish

Not likely, but it is possible.

Why not? We're already #15 and finishing with 2 more wins including possibly another win over a ranked team in a bowl would warrant a #10 or so finish

I wasn't saying we won't make the top 10 in the poll. I was saying that getting into a top tier bowl is very difficult. I think it is most likely the Cats will be in the Alamo bowl (hopefully against Oklahoma).

[waysouthcat]

Udub better pray they don't face us in a championship game.

[ASUHATER!]

Crazy were 16 points away from being 12-0 and in the top 3

[scumdevils86]

I'd call that a successful regular season. I had hoped for 6-6 but the schedule seemed really tough. So happy to be wrong about Coach Fisch.

[Frybry02]

Even if we don't play for the title, if we beat ASU and win our bowl the door is open for a top 10 finish

Not likely, but it is possible.

Why not? We're already #15 and finishing with 2 more wins including possibly another win over a ranked team in a bowl would warrant a #10 or so finish

I wasn't saying we won't make the top 10 in the poll. I was saying that getting into a top tier bowl is very difficult. I think it is most likely the Cats will be in the Alamo bowl (hopefully against Oklahoma).

Alamo bowl would be great. I am going to be selfish and hope for the Las Vegas bowl.

Basketball vs FAU at 1 then head to the bowl game right after.

[TheCat]

9-3 far exceeds my hopes. I said early in the season that Jedd needed to start winning or recruits would see him as a snake oil salesman. He has delivered. The offense he developed has made Noah and McMillian super stars. The offense looks spectacular. He now has a few key players for the next few years he can count on if the NIL pasture doesn't look to green. I am excited for what is to come and I haven't been able to say that for a long time.

[azcat49]

F Vegas, I want Oklahoma of the highest ranked team after Christmas in the Alamo Bowl. We don’t need a minor bowl before Christmas. Time to think big

[ASUHATER!]

I thought maybe 7-5 was doable with our schedule, but glad I'm wrong

[KaibabKat]

The best Pac 10/12 finish (3rd) in a quarter century. Outstanding!

[OSUCat]

F Vegas, I want Oklahoma of the highest ranked team after Christmas in the Alamo Bowl. We don’t need a minor bowl before Christmas. Time to think big

Wouldn’t it be Oklahoma State now?

[UAEebs86]

F Vegas, I want Oklahoma of the highest ranked team after Christmas in the Alamo Bowl. We don’t need a minor bowl before Christmas. Time to think big

Wouldn’t it be Oklahoma State now?

They are in the Big 12 championship game - if they win I think they will get an NY6 game.

[KillerKlown]

Could have really used that TA&M and Auburn upset this week.

[dmjcat]

Post asu game press conference with Coach Fisch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBQ4M7U8VAE

[dmjcat]

Arizona-asu extended highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bf06Avfvl5w

[azcat49]

To think we endured 20 straight losses including a 70-7 loss to our rival. Then we lose to NAU and it seemed like we had very little hope.

Today we have 9 wins and are easily one off the 10 best teams in America. We dropped 59 on the scum and should have had 77. We have 18 starters coming back and we will be in the CFP conversation from day 1 next year.

I asked for a soul snatching victory and the team gave that to me. To say the drinks went down easy and the mood is great is an understatement. Go cats and thank our stars for Jedd Fisch

[WildcatStunner]

That was the most relaxing territorial cup game I have watched in my lifetime.

[Chicat]

That was the most relaxing territorial cup game I have watched in my lifetime.

I want to frame this.

[dmjcat]

Updated Bowl Projections for the UA as of this morning:

247 Sports: Alamo Bowl (UA vs. Oklahoma)
CBS (Jerry Palm) Alamo Bowl (UA vs. Oklahoma)
College Football Network: Alamo Bowl (UA vs. Oklahoma)
Sports Illustrated: Alamo Bowl (UA vs. Oklahoma)
Fox Sports: Alamo Bowl (UA vs. Oklahoma State)
ESPN: Alamo Bowl (UA vs. Oklahoma)
Brett McMurphy: Alamo Bowl (UA vs. Oklahoma)
Saturday Blitz: Alamo Bowl (UA vs. Oklahoma)
MSN: Holiday Bowl (UA vs. Notre Dame)
Athlon Sports: Alamo Bowl (UA vs. Oklahoma)

[Siempre Verde]

Oy, while that potential matchup is interesting, is there no pathway to the Holiday Bowl? I went to the last UofA Alamo Bowl appearance. It wasn’t pleasant…and not just because UofA lost. UofA was pummeled in their last Holiday Bowl and it rained like crazy, but it was in all ways better to be in San Diego for a game than San Antonio.

[84Cat]

The Arizona Wildcats played 68 offensive snaps and 68 defensive snaps in their 59-23 win over ASU. Here is how much each player played along with their Pro Football Focus grades.

Offense
RT Jonah Savaiinaea, 68 (62.2)
RG Raymond Pulido, 68 (67.4)
C Josh Baker, 68 (62.0)
LT Jordan Morgan, 66 (76.1)
QB Noah Fifita, 66 (80.3)
LG Wendell Moe, 65 (69.1)
WR Tetairoa McMillan, 61 (89.8)
WR Jacob Cowing, 59 (78.3)
TE Tanner McLachlan, 57 (90.5)
WR Montana Lemonious-Craig, 47 (54.3)
RB Michael Wiley, 43 (72.4)
TE Keyan Burnett, 18 (51.6)
RB Jonah Coleman, 17 (65.6)
RB Rayshon Luke, 11 (60.8)
WR Malachi Riley, 8 (62.4)
TE Roberto Miranda, 6 (59.5)
WR AJ Jones, 4 (57.7)
WR Kevin Green Jr., 3 (57.9)
TE Tyler Powell, 3 (60.0)
RG Leif Magnuson, 3 (60.3)
RB Nazar Bombata, 3 (68.1)
LT Joseph Borjon, 2 (60.0)
QB Cole Tannenbaum, 2 (60.0)

Defense
LB Jacob Manu, 68 (40.2)
CB Ephesians Prysock, 66 (66.6)
CB Tacario Davis, 65 (68.5)
CB Treydan Stukes, 61 (70.6)
S Dalton Johnson, 59 (76.4)
S Gunner Maldonado, 56 (74.8)
LB Kamuela Ka’aihue, 39 (32.4)
DL Taylor Upshaw, 37 (65.2)
DE Ta’ita’i Uiagalelei, 36 (47.3)
DT Tiaolii Savea, 36 (66.6)
NT Bill Norton, 33 (74.0)
DT Tyler Manoa, 30 (50.8)
DE Isaiah Ward, 28 (46.2)
DT Jacob Kongaika, 25 (62.1)
S Genesis Smith, 19 (62.8)
DE Russell Davis II, 15 (66.6)
S DJ Warnell Jr., 14 (63.6)
NT Sio Nofoagatoto’a, 14 (65.6)
LB Taye Brown, 13 (84.5)
LB Jeremy Mercier, 12 (75.6)
DL Dominic Lolesio, 10 (64.8)
NT Isaiah Johnson, 4 (63.8)
LB Justin Flowe, 4 (44.6)
S Isaiah Taylor, 3 (62.1)
S Dylan Wyatt, 1 (63.5)

https://www.azdesertswarm.com/football/ ... torial-cup

[azcat49]

Why play in bowl that pays less and has a lessor opponent. It’s time to elevate the program and play a top 10 team like Oklahoma and play in a bowl that is as close to a NY6 bowl in date, opponent and payout.

San Antonio is a really nice city. I was at the loss against Oklahoma St and in San Diego in the rain in the loss to Nebraska. We had just as much fun in both cities. The river walk was the equal to the gas lamp district, at least for us.

Let’s freaking think big and take on all we can.

[84Cat]

[IrishAzCat]

That was the most relaxing territorial cup game I have watched in my lifetime.

I want to frame this.

[Chicat]

Looks like they flatlined.