Winless Arizona can’t assume anything vs. troubled California
Even before it was announced that Cal would be without multiple players because of COVID-19 protocols, the game against the Golden Bears was one Arizona fans and media circled on their calendars.
It’s a thing that we do. We eyeball the schedule and pick out potential wins and losses. It’s a frivolous but fun exercise. And Cal sure looked like a win for the still-winless Wildcats.
UA coach Jedd Fisch — like every coach across the land — urges a different approach. Every game is its own entity. Each demands the staff and players’ utmost attention.
When asked this week whether anyone on his team is feeling a greater sense of urgency to end Arizona’s losing streak because time is running out on the 2021 season, Fisch said:
“Nope. Our guys play the same way every week, practice the same way every week. We don't really talk about getting a win. We talked about going 1-0 this week.”
The odds of that happening certainly seem to have improved in the wake of Cal’s announcement. It was unclear as of Friday afternoon how many Bears would be unavailable. At the very least, the absence of multiple players will hurt Cal’s depth on what’s expected to be a 90-degree afternoon in Tucson.
Let’s put it up for debate.
Point: Cal could be missing several key players, so this thing is a lock.
Counterpoint: Are you familiar with the 2021 Wildcats?
Remember, Arizona lost this season to NAU. Arizona lost at home to a Mountain West school (albeit a very good one) by 24 points. Arizona lost 34-0 at Colorado, which has no other wins against FBS opponents.
It’s dangerous to assume anything. If the Bears have Chase Garbers — one of the most experienced quarterbacks and most underrated players in the Pac-12 — then they will be a legitimate threat.
Point: Even if the COVID-19 issue hadn’t cropped up, Cal isn’t that good. The Golden Bears are just 3-5.
Counterpoint: They’re way better than their record suggests.
You think Arizona has caught some bad breaks this season? Cal easily could be 7-1 right now.
Four of the Golden Bears’ losses were by seven or fewer points. They were all excruciating:
Cal lost to Nevada 22-17 in Week 1. After cutting the deficit to five points in the
fourth quarter, Cal advanced to the Nevada 9-yard line. A sack led to a missed field goal. The Bears never threatened again.
• The following week, Cal visited TCU. Leading 19-7 at one point, the Bears faced an eight-point deficit in the fourth quarter. They scored to make it 34-32 with 4:09 left. Their 2-point conversion attempt failed. They never got the ball back.
• In its Pac-12 opener, Cal visited Washington. The Bears rallied to tie the score with 2:51 remaining. They had a 55yard field-goal attempt to win the game at the buzzer that was no good. Down 3124 in overtime, they lost a fumble at the UW 1-yard line.
• On Oct. 25 at Oregon, Cal trailed 2417 with 4:50 remaining. The Bears drove
inside the Ducks’ 10. Cal ran eight plays
from the 8-yard line and in but couldn’t score.
Point: If the COVID-19 issues have infiltrated Cal’s lines, the Bears are in big trouble.
Counterpoint: Arizona has line issues of its own.
UA defensive linemen Kyon Barrs and Paris Shand will be game-time decisions, Fisch said. Defensive end Mo Diallo might be as well.
Barrs, a defensive tackle, is Arizona’s highest-graded defender, per Pro Football Focus. If Diallo and Shand are out, Arizona would be down to its fourthstring “Anchor.” JB Brown began the season as the starter at that spot. He’s no longer playing in games for the team.
Arizona also could be without starting left guard Donovan Laie, who got banged up during last week’s game at USC.