Arizona Wildcats week one preview

Bear Down!

The Zona Zoo will be in full force tonight when Arizona hosts Central Michigan.

The Wildcats are behind schedule to say the least. The deadline for naming a starting quarterback came and went without closure, All-American tight end Rob Gronkowski has missed almost all of training camp with a back injury and now the Chippewas are in town.

The Chippewas are playing a Pac-10 opponent for the first time in the school’s history but don’t expect them to be intimidated in the slightest. The Chippewas are looking for their third straight bowl appearance this season.

After finishing 8-5 last season, including a win at Indiana (Big Ten) and a tough five point loss at Purdue (Big Ten), Central Michigan was selected as this year’s preseason MAC Western Division champions. The Wildcats on the other hand were picked to finish 8th in the Pac-10.

Arizona’s Offense vs:  On a positive note for Arizona, junior wide receiver Delashaun Dean will play. With the most reception in 2008 of any Wildcat on roster, Arizona is counting on Dean to help get the passing game on track, especially if Gronkowski can’t go.

The Chippewas ranked 118th in pass defense last year so the Wildcats will have their opportunities.

Easier said than done for a team holding quarterback tryouts in front of 50,000+ fans and a nationwide audience for the next two weeks. This should be fun. Will it be Matt Scott or Nick Foles? American Idol can’t produce this kind of drama.

An experienced offensive line and a stable of explosive running backs should help take the pressure off the two passers but at some point one of them is going to have to make plays.

Central Michigan’s Defense: All-MAC first team selections Nick Bellore (Jr. LB) and Frank Zombo (Sr. DT) anchor a defense that returns 10 starters. The Chippewas finished 14th in sacks last season.

Bellore -Team leader in tackles (148) and forced fumbles (2)

Zombo - Team leader in sacks (9) and tackles for a loss (15.5)

Zombo moved to defensive tackle this off-season to fill a team need. It’s no secret the Chippewas don’t have half the depth that the Wildcats have.

Arizona’s Defense vs: The seasoned Wildcat defensive line lead by juniors Brooks Reed and Ricky Elmore on the outside and seniors Earl Mitchell and Donald Horton on the inside, are chomping at the bit to trade blows with the inexperienced offensive line of Central Michigan. The Chippewas had to replace three starters during the off-season.

The Wildcat’s defense is bigger, faster and stronger. Even with all that going for them it’s going to be an uphill battle trying to stop Central Michigan.

The Chippewas finished 12th national in total yards a year ago. Robert Golden’s transition from corner to safety will be tested early. How he responds will dictate the Chippewas next move.

Central Michigan’s Offense: On offense Central Michigan returns eight starters including senior quarterback Dan LeFevour.

LeFevour is the real deal. He joins former University of Texas quarterback Vince Young as the only quarterbacks in NCAA history to pass for 3,000 yards and rush for 1,000 in a season.

If that doesn’t scare Wildcat Nation here’s another gem. Besides current Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, LeFevour is the only quarterback to pass for 20 touchdowns and run/catch another 20 in a season.

LeFevour’s won’t be doing it alone. His partners-in-crime Antonio Brown (Jr. WR) and Bryan Anderson (Sr. WR) are also back. Anderson has caught a pass in 40 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the country.

2008 stats...

Brown - 93 rec, 998 rec yards, 7 TDs

Anderson - 63 rec, 865 rec yards, 6 TDs

Kicking game:

Arizona: Entering his first season as a starter, sophomore kicker Alex Zendejas has struggled this off-season missing all four live scrimmage field goal attempts. If he struggles against the Chippewas expect preseason Ray Guy Award nominee, junior Keenyn Crier to work double duty as punter and fill-in kicker.

Central Michigan: senior kicker Andrew Aguila made a field goal in all 13 games last season. Redshirt freshman Jake Linklater will be taking care of the punting duties in his first NCAA action.

Prediction: It’s not going to be pretty but Arizona’s size, speed and talent should prove too much for the Chippewas.   Arizona's rushing attack and stingy defense get it done, 27-17.