My latest on my assessment of the season for the Arizona football team and where they are trending as a program.

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Caleb Lomu has come off the board today after announcing his commitment to Utah. It ultimately came down to the Utes and Michigan with Arizona trailing behind both programs. Early in the recruiting he was Arizona bound, but as his offers started to pile up things began to change a bit. Utah became a bigger part of the equation and eventually he decided that his original home state would be the landing spot. Another tough break with a priority target for the Wildcats. At this point, the likely scenario is that UA hits the portal to find some options up front. The OL class for 2023 is still an upgrade in a lot of ways over past classes but is lacking some punch on the top end. Landing someone like Lomu or Laloulu would have been a strong cap to the class.

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Troy and I discuss Arizona's time in Maui and offer up our big takeaways from the week for the Wildcats.

Every year, there is a handful of 5-7 teams that go to bowl games. There are 84 teams that go to bowl games and currently 74ish teams that are bowl eligible. There are about 13 that can win and become eligible, including Army who would have to win twice. Is there any chance UofA gets an invite? How many 5-7 teams would have to get invites for that to happen? I am sure the 15 extra practices couldn't hurt.

As mentioned before, Jedd Fisch doesn't like having a ton of recruits out for official visits during the season so the Wildcats are light on that again this week. Plus it is a smaller group of notable visitors overall with the staff wanting to focus on the game this week. Still, there are a couple key prospects the team is having out today including current commit Solomon Davis, who recently visited Oregon, plus longtime receiver target Malachi Riley who UCLA has worked to make a push for at this stage of the process.

2023

Official visits
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Unofficial visits
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2024

Login to view embedded media Notable offers: Arizona, Cal, Campbell

Login to view embedded media Notable offers: Arizona, Oregon, Utah, Oregon State, Cal

Login to view embedded media Notable offers: Arizona, ASU, Oregon, Duke

GAME INFO

• Who: Arizona (4-7, 2-6 Pac-12; last week: 31-20 loss to Wazzu) vs. Arizona State (3-8, 2-6 Pac-12; last week: 31-7 loss to Oregon State)
• When: 1 p.m. (MST)
• Where: Arizona Stadium | Tucson, Arizona
• TV: FS1
• All-time series: Arizona leads 49-45-1 (last meeting: 38-15 Sun Devils win; Nov. 27, 2021)
• Odds: UA -4 | O/U: 64 (VegasInsider)

It's almost time for the 95th edition of the Territorial Cup game as Arizona will host the school up north this weekend. There's not a whole lot on the line except for bragging rights, but that means just as much as a bowl appearance in this type of rivalry. The Wildcats will be looking to break a five-game losing streak to their rival, and this could be the best chance to do it of the last five seasons. There will be plenty to pay attention to this week as the two teams prepare to square off Friday afternoon at Arizona Stadium.

Arizona will have just two media availabilities this week with Jedd Fisch already meeting the media today while coaches and players will talk with reporters on Tuesday. Here's a rundown of the content we have already to begin the week, and we will have plenty more over the next couple days. I've also included Shaun Aguano's first press conference to get some insight from the ASU side to begin the week.

Feel free to join the conversation in this thread leading up to the game. Or, you can even just discuss how much you hate ASU and why ... and I know you do.


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What a win it was for the Wildcats as Arizona defeated Arizona State 38-35 to pick up its first win over the Sun Devils since 2016.

It was all about the rushing attack as Michael Wiley ran for 214 yards and three touchdowns in the game. Arizona averaged 10 yards per carry as a team on the ground.

Arizona officially doubles its preseason win/loss total of 2.5 wins with a five win season. It was a very successful year two under Fisch with a number of key freshman and younger players playing pivotal roles over the back half of the season who should only improve heading into next year.

PAC 12 Network Better...

GAME INFO

Who: No. 14 Arizona (5-0) vs. No. 10 Creighton (6-0)
When: 3:00 p.m MST
Where: Lahaina Civic Center | Lahaina, Hawaii
TV: ESPN
Odds: Arizona (-3.5) O/U 164

Arizona and Creighton are meeting up for just the third time in each program's history and the first time since the 60s when the two teams squared off in Tucson. This game will be for the Maui Invitational title after both teams battled their way through the field over the last two days. Creighton had a more challenging path having to take down No. 9 Arkansas to reach today's title game, but Arizona looked better on its way to the tournament final. It will be another challenging test for the Wildcats, which could end up looking like a much different team nationally than it did prior to arriving in Hawaii. Winning the whole tournament in Maui would certainly send a strong message about where Arizona should sit on the national stage and help build some momentum heading into an important stretch of games in the coming weeks.

We have the game thread up a little early just in case you want to join in the conversation, and our staff will have you dialed in with updates once tip-off time comes.

DeLaura was not only allowed right back in, he continued the meltdown on the field including back to back INTs one for 6, quickly taking the game further away.

A Fisch supporter from the initial announcement, now I have a question.
When temmates strike teammates as happens rarely in practice, discipline is immediate.

When a 3 year stater QB/Captain strikes a teammate do we say 'immaturity'; when a Head Coach allows it with no discipline what does it say?
What does it say to the fans; to the recruit & family watching? Come here be a producing player, have the qb/C castigate you...even punch you...and we'll talk values on Wednesday??

On TV close ups of DeLaura appeared showing his face all wound-up pacing the sidline spouting words at players or the air...

Sad

GAME INFO

Who: No. 14 Arizona vs. No. 17 San Diego State
When: 8:30 p.m MST
Where: Lahaina Civic Center | Lahaina, Hawaii
TV: ESPN
Odds: Arizona (-2.5) O/U 165.5

Arizona's first true test of the season has arrived as the Wildcats take on 17th-ranked San Diego State tonight in the semifinal round of at the Maui Invitational. The winner will face No. 10 Creighton tomorrow afternoon for the championship after the Blue Jays defeated No. 9 Arkansas by 3 points tonight. It will be an interesting matchup for the Wildcats as the Aztecs have more of the types of athletes that can match up with UA, but Tommy Lloyd has his team rolling on the offensive end of the floor.

Feel free to join the conversation throughout the game as UA looks to remain unbeaten and advance to the Maui Invitational title game.

GAME INFO

Who: No. 14 Arizona vs Cincinnati
When: 9:30 p.m MST
Where: Lahaina Civic Center | Lahaina, Hawaii
TV: ESPN2
Odds: Arizona (-9.5) O/U 159.5


Hey everybody! I'm getting the game thread started early here, about 5 hours until the 9:30 p.m MST tip-off at Lahaina Civic Center.

Hey guys, I'll be doing live updates throughout today's Johnny Nansen and Brennan Carroll press conference.

The Wildcats open up the Maui Jim Maui Invitational tonight against Cincinnati with tipoff scheduled for 9:30 p.m. MST. The Bearcats are 3-1 to open the season, and coming off a loss against Northern Kentucky.

Here is my preview on who to know and what to watch for tonight:

Hey guys, I'll be doing live updates throughout today's Jedd Fisch press conference.

It was a dissapointing performance Saturday afternoon as Arizona fell 31-20 against Washington State. Jayden de Laura threw a career-high four interceptions. Dorian Singer had a career-high 176 yards and a touchdown on nine receptions.

The defense was the biggest bright spot of this game, particularly in the second half after a rough start. They held the Cougars offense to just three points in the second half. Gunner Maldonado had his best performance of the season with eight tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a pass breakup.

All eyes are on the Territorial Cup next Friday against Arizona State.

"Normally we have a 24-hour rule to move on, Jedd Fisch said after Saturday's game. "We have a 24-minute rule. It is time to move on and get ready for the Cup."

My recap from the loss against WSU:

Hope it's covered live, or at least in a replay.
Generally flybys are not free and the cost is north of $15,000.

GAME INFO

Who: Arizona (4-6, 2-5 Pac-12) vs. Washington State (6-4, 3-4)
When: Noon (MST)
Where: Arizona Stadium | Tucson, Arizona
TV: Pac-12 Network
All-time series: Arizona leads 27-18 (Last meeting: 44-18 WSU win; Nov. 19, 2021)
Odds: WSU (-4) O/U 63

Hey everybody! I'm getting the game thread started early here with about 3 hours until the noon MST kickoff at Arizona Stadium.

Pregame Notes:
• Arizona is averaging 4.50 yards per rush
• WSU is averaging 4.17 yards per rush
• Arizona is averaging 43.7% 3rd down conversions
• WSU is averaging 36.4% 3rd down conversions
• Arizona is averaging five penalties per game
• WSU is averaging 5.5 penalties per game

Arizona going a little light on the visitors for this weekend's game against Washington State, but one of the top targets is expected back on campus yet again with in-state offensive lineman Caleb Lomu heading down to Tucson one more time. He'll be the most notable uncommitted prospect on campus, but there is a solid group of visitors expected to be in attendance tomorrow for the game. All three of the uncommitted visitors have a shot to end up playing for the Wildcats, so it is certainly another key weekend for the staff.

Commits

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Targets

2023

Login to view embedded media Top competition: Kansas State
Rundown: The linebacker from Hamilton High looked like he would be Arizona-bound in the summer. You could even say one of the dancing cacti GIFs was for him. The Wildcats are very much in the picture still, but he made an official visit out to Kansas State earlier this month changing the feel of his recruitment a bit. This is another important visit for the Wildcats to impress the big in-state linebacker prospect.

Login to view embedded media Top competition: Utah, USC, Michigan
Rundown: A recent official visit to Utah has completely changed the shape of Lomu's recruitment. There has been plenty of buzz that he will end up committing to the Utes after that trip. He's recently visited Michigan as well and USC remains in the picture. His best relationship with is with Brennan Carroll, and that has kept the Wildcats in the race. Utah could end up being too difficult to beat in this one, but Arizona has certainly put maximum effort into landing the in-state prospect. He is originally from Utah, and that holds plenty of appeal for Lomu, but Arizona has done a good job of keeping him as a priority throughout the entire process. He's not far off from a decision from the sound of it, so this could end up being one of the last times UA is able to get him on campus before he makes his choice.

Login to view embedded media Top competition: Oregon State
Rundown: It feels inevitable that the Oregon State commit will flip his choice. He's already been on campus with the Wildcats multiple times, and he has had nothing but positive things to say about the team. The familiarity of a school like OSU has kept him committed there, but Arizona has continued to put emphasis on bringing him out to the desert. It is another important step in his recruitment to get him back out for another game this season.

2024

Login to view embedded media Notable offers: Arizona, Utah

Login to view embedded media Notable offers: Arizona, Washington State, Washington, Cal, Colorado

Login to view embedded media Notable offers: Arizona, Washington State, Oregon, San Jose State, Colorado State

GAME INFO

• Who: Arizona (4-6, 2-5 Pac-12; last week: 34-28 win over UCLA) vs. Washington State (6-4, 3-4 Pac-12; last week: 28-18 win over ASU)
• When: 12 p.m. (MST)
• Where: Arizona Stadium | Tucson, Arizona
• TV: Pac-12 Networks
• All-time series: Arizona leads 27-18 (last meeting: 44-18 Cougars win; Nov. 18, 2021)
• Odds: WSU -4 | O/U: 63 (VegasInsider)

It is another game week for Arizona as the Wildcats return home to the desert to close out the regular season at home over the next two weeks. This week, Arizona will see a team that has caused it plenty of problems in the past. Just last year the Wildcats had a difficult time slowing down Washington State, but now UA has that team's quarterback as Jayden de Laura will get his opportunity to face the coaching staff that pushed him out of the picture in Pullman.

There has already been acknowledgement of how meaningful this week's game is for the Arizona quarterback making for an interesting lead-up to Saturday afternoon's kickoff at Arizona Stadium.

We'll have coverage all week heading into kickoff, and you can always join in the conversation ahead of the game.

Here's video of both Monday press conferences as head coaches Jedd Fisch and Jake Dickert both met with reporters to begin the week.

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I was out at the Long Beach Poly game on Friday night and was able to get a little glimpse of Arizona DE commit Dominic Lolesio. Poly outmatched its opponent and scored four touchdowns by the end of the first quarter. So, Lolesio only played a few series before being pulled for the night along with most of the other starters. He had a nice stop at the line of scrimmage and was generally around the ball during his time on the field. He is going to need some more time to develop at the next level, but he does have the size the staff is looking for along the defensive line. Lolesio remains locked in with his commitment to the Wildcats and his hope is to be on campus next week when Arizona hosts USC. I talked with him after his game about his senior season so far at Poly and how things are progressing with UA and the coaching staff.

Coach Fisch came on the podcast this week to talk Arizona football, the win over No. 12 UCLA, his career path, recruiting philosophy and more...


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GAME INFO

Who: No. 14 Arizona vs Utah Tech
When: 7:00 p.m MST
Where: McKale Center | Tucson, Arizona
TV: Pac-12 Network
Odds: Arizona (-27.5) O/U 164


Hey everybody! I'm getting the game thread started early here, about two hours until the 7:00 p.m MST tip-off at McKale Center.

The tensions will be high this weekend as Jayden de Laura gears up to face his former team in Washington State. Arizona can still make a bowl game winning these last two games and that begins on Saturday against the Cougars.

After going 2-0 during opening week, Arizona's men's basketball team moves up three spots to No. 14 jumping TCU and others. UCLA (No. 8) is the only other Pac-12 team ranked this week. Oregon, Colorado and Arizona State all received votes.