Holiday Bowl Primer: Arizona Wildcats

Arizona quarterback Nick Foles has thrown for 2,438 yards
this year and 19 touchdowns. (AP/Jae C. Hong)

The Holiday Bowl is Wednesday. You know that Arizona and Nebraska are playing.

You’re too lazy after all of the weekend’s holiday festivities and after Christmas sales to look up what you need to know about the game.

No worries, that’s where this nifty Holiday Bowl primer comes in.

Today, we take a look at what you need to know about the Arizona Wildcats, which players to look at for on offense and defense and why the Cats will bear down on Nebraska this Wednesday.

Tomorrow, we’ll figure out what Nebraska’s all about.

(Remember: The Holiday Bowl is this Wednesday, Dec. 30 at 5 p.m. It can be seen on ESPN and ESPN360.com).

Name: Arizona Wildcats
Conference: Pacific-10
2009 Record: 8-4
Conference Record: 6-3
Head Coach: Mike Stoops, sixth season

Offensive Player to Watch: Nick Foles, quarterback
The way Nick Foles plays is the way the Wildcats go. On a team that’s devoid of offensive star power, the sophomore is by far the most important component to Arizona’s offense. Foles has had huge games since becoming the starting quarterback after the Wildcats’ loss to Iowa. In an upset against Stanford, Foles threw for 415 yards and three touchdowns. He also scorched the Oregon defense for three scores. If the Wildcats are to have any chance Wednesday, they’re going to have to rely on Foles.

Defensive Player to Watch: Ricky Elmore, defensive end
The junior out of Simi Valley, Calif., leads the Pac-10 in sacks with 10.5 on the year. Nebraska quarterback Zac Lee has been sacked 18 times this year and the Huskers offense hasn’t really put up big numbers. Look for Elmore to get some pressure on Lee and disrupt the tiny semblance of a passing game that Nebraska has.

Three Reasons Why Arizona Will Win…and Lose

Why Arizona Will Win
1) Spread Passing Game: I don't think Nebraska has seen a spread offense this good in its play in the Big 12. Arizona finished second in the Pac-10 (which is a pass-happy league) in passing yards per game with 240.1. And that offensive line was able to protect its quarterback, allowing just 11 sacks all year. If Foles can get going—and the Wildcats offensive line can stop Foles from being a victim of Ndamukong Suh—then the they can win.

2) Defense: This will be a common theme for both teams in this Holiday Bowl. Both Arizona and Nebraska have great defenses. I’m not saying that Arizona’s defense is necessarily better. However, the Wildcats defense should be able to hold the Nebraska offense enough so that Foles and that balanced offense can do some damage. Arizona ranked fourth in total defense in the Pac-10, but ranked second against the run and pass in conference play.

3) Message: Arizona is looking for respect. At 8-4 and second in the Pac-10, I bet anyone in Nebraska will fail to name at least one player on the Wildcats squad. In the Holiday Bowl against a traditional power like Nebraska can only help Mike Stoops with giving his program a launching pad in 2010.

Why Arizona Will Not Win
1) Nick Foles: If Foles is on, Arizona will win. But if Foles is off, then it could be a nightmare for Arizona. He drives the engine. If the Wildcats cannot find their footing in the running game and can’t throw the ball, then it’ll be on Foles and they won’t have a good day.

2) Lack of a running game: Nic Grigsby’s return should help the Wildcats offense. But if the tailback—who rushed for 1,153 yards last season—isn’t 100 percent after nursing a bum shoulder, his return may not be a positive for Arizona.

3) Arizona Already Satisfied With the Season: Arizona was picked to finish eighth in the Pac-10 this year. With a young team that lost several players—like starting quarterback Willie Tuitama and receiver Mike Thomas—do the Wildcats see this game as a reward for a very surprising second-place finish in the conference? Or will Arizona play as if its got something to play for?

Interesting Non-sporting Fact: U of A was used as the set for the 1980s classic Revenge of the Nerds.