To jump off or not to jump off a bandwagon that isn't burning
by K_Zim on Sep 9, 2011 12:02 PM PDT
in Arizona Wildcats Football
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Go ahead. Let it all out. It's the morning after the Arizona Wildcats, uh, showed up (?) to Stillwater only to be smashed by the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Do you feel better? I hope so.
Because yesterday was rough, I'm sure. Not only did the outcome prove ugly, a 37-14 score indicative of the Wildcats lurking problems in the offseason. Without a run game and without much defense at all -- not to mention injuries to the leaders on each side of the ball -- it might even be fair to say that Arizona took a step backward in comparison to a 36-10 Alamo Bowl loss in December.
You know, the offense turned the ball over once instead of three times on Thursday night. They didn't spot the Pokes 21 points; they pretty much let them earn it, if that's a phrase that means the Wildcats handled field position and turnovers well. But why? Why would Arizona take a step back after a summer filled with talk of change?
Maybe they're just an average team that faced a No. 9-ranked squad.
So were expectations overblown for Mike Stoops' Wildcats? Probably. The young offensive line wasn't the only reason UA lost, however. Simply put, this team doesn't have the talent and upside that we might believe it had.
There are solid wide receivers in Dan Buckner and Austin Hill who made up for Juron Criner's absence. Nick Foles, while no Heisman candidate, is a solid quarterback, but he can only do so much. He's a leader and a smart football player, but often times, he looked uncertain about whether to sling the ball, run with it ... he didn't really know. That's considering the times he did have time in the pocket, too.
The defense allowed 37 points. Enough said.
I'm not crapping out on this team. That's why we'll watch every week. Nothing is certain. But the old, redundant saying of "they are who they are" is true for the Wildcats. Arizona, visibly, is what it is -- nothing more. There's no hidden "truth" that's waiting to pop out, and in that, the "real" identity of this team is, unfortunately, already out there.
That's not to say this team isn't capable of an upset in the following weeks, it's just saying that the Wildcats will have to catch a Stanford or Oregon on an off-night. This bandwagon of elite dreams, perhaps, was pushed by the hopes of the coaching staff and the players, who said they had changed things. What else are they supposed to do? Say they're the same team as last year, where they lost their final five games? Nope.
Not that they're lying, but "truth" is relevant only to those who hold it. From the outside looking in, I believe those "truths" made the bandwagon that much bigger.
It's not burning. You shouldn't be jumping off. It was just headed a different direction than you expected.
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Elite?
Why on earth would anyone think we’re elite? I’m really down on the football program – been that way since we lost to USC last year and it has only gotten worse since. I just don’t trust Mike Stoops and I don’t believe he is the man to take us to the next level. Not saying he should be fired yet, but I think this is as good as it will get with him – a competitive, middle of the pac team, but nothing special.
~Tommy~
So you guys think the local media is way off?
I mean, there was still Rose Bowl talk. And Heisman chatter for Foles. I’m in the middle on Stoops, because you’d have to have the money to go after big names that could do better.
by K_Zim on Sep 10, 2011 3:49 PM PDT via iPhone app up reply actions
I think the national media had a better handle (picking us 4th)
New O-line, no running game, and an overrated defense. Most national analysts and publications saw it. Foles is a statue and our offense can be quite good if the other team has to defend run and pass, but pretty easy to defend when it is bubble screens and deep balls. I wish there was a better answer for head coach, but you’re right – we need money to hire someone new.
~Tommy~
He should be fired.....
I knew Stoops hit his peak last year. I really hope he is replaced soon. He is not the man for this job. He did a respectable job getting us to mediocre status, at best. However, I don’t think he’ll ever get us over this hump. The one thing that gets me is a coach (Dick Tomey) that led a Wildcat team to a 12-1 season is ran out of town a year and a half after said season for having mediocre seasons following. Yet, Stoops has not even come close to that accomplishment, but the UA AD and president continue to support him. I just don’t get it. He’s had 8 years to build this program and what do we have to show for it, a win at a low end bowl and two back to back ass-whoopings the following years. Not to mention what an embarrasement his sideline behavior is. The AD needs to work his magic and land a proven quality coach, the caliber of Sean Miller. Former Oregon coach Mike Bellotti is looking for a right fit to get back into coaching. Maybe the challenge and potential in our program might lure him to Tucson.
Agreed
This program should be way better than it has been. At first I liked his fiery antics, but then reality set in: he can’t make adjustments and it really is just him screaming. If you’re winning 10-12 games a year, then it looks cool. When your high water mark is 8 wins and a Las Vegas Bowl victory (in 8 years) – that’s pathetic. I can barely watch them right now without becoming depressed. We’re stuck in neutral and the fan base is f’n tired of being a 2nd class citizen in the Pac-12.
~Tommy~
Stoops
I was close to not renewing my season tickets this year, becuase of Stoops. I had to sell them before the season started to go to Afghanistan. I’ll be back right before next season, if Stoops is still the coach there is no way I’m getting any season tickets. I will continue to support our Cats, but I can no longer support Stoops.
After everything that has happened I think Foles is still amazingly underrated...
You can blame a lot of people for the loss to OKstate, the least of which would be foles, I look at what he has done this season already with 5 NEW STARTERS on the O-Line, Leads the nation in Passing yards with 6 td’s and NO interceptions, ever more incredible is that he seems this year strangely enough to be more mobile, and more adept at escaping the often collapsing pocket, see ONLY 2 sacks in 2 games… just one from Okstate, Without Foles, this is a Team that struggles to win a couple of games from here on out. With Foles, this is a team I am certain will go to another bowl game, mark my words, Foles and Crew Will eat up every PAC12 secondary this year, the BIGGEST challenge is turning yards into points, I.E. finishing drives, which is always the achilles of the air raid scheme. Hopefully coaches recognize the potential of Carey and he starts running through the line with a purpose… BEAR DOWN
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