UA returns 7 starters on offense and 9 on defense from 2018. They lost 3 starting OL and a good RB in Nick Wilson. They also have a new (to them) coach in Kevin Sumlin after his 6 years in Texas A&M. The key returner is Kahlil Tate who topped the Wildcats in passing and running….. except that he is nursing an ankle injury and not running much. He is passing pretty well (260 ypg, 8 TDs-2 Int. but 54% competitions). They do have an excellent runner in JJ Taylor (477 yards-119ypg-3TDs) who is likely a 1000 yard runner this year. The receiving corps is also experienced. with Pondexter leading at 16 receptions for 92 ypg with 2 TDs.
UA is 2-2 and Sagarin has them at #61 with a lower Strength of Schedule of 71st toughest. USC is ranked 32 with a Strength of Schedule of 2nd toughest Sagarin has USC about a 7 point favorite on neutral field which makes them 4 1/2 point favorites away.
UA: They won 35-14 at Oregon State (1-3/0-1 this year, 1-11 last year) by 41-19. They beat 1-aa Southern Utah (0-4, 0-1) by 62-31. They lost to BYU (3-1, 4-9 LY) 23-28. They Lost to Houston (3-1, 7-5 LY) 18-45. Most of their high stats came from the Southern Utah game. Overall they average 35 ppg and give up 25. But against better competition (BYU and Houston) they averaged 20 ppg and gave up 37 ppg.
The UA offense looks ok, balanced between run and pass, They are about the same as USC on 3rd down conversions (below average).But they are scoring 20 points average and giving up 37 versus better teams is not encouraging for them. On defense it's tough to tell. They did do OK against BYU but got trampled versus Houston .They are not great at applying sacks, but good at preventing it so far. Turonver margin is slightly worse than USC.
On special teams their punting is better, but elsewhere USC has the better rseults. Overall I don’t see their offense as much better than USC. Their D is likely worse.
Forecast: SC beat UA 49-35 in the coliseum last year. Forcing UA into passing is wise unless Tate has recovered. Stop Taylor and Arizona is vulnerable. Houston ran for nearly 300 yards, which is likely something USC may try. My Forecast: USC 35 UA 24.
UA is 2-2 and Sagarin has them at #61 with a lower Strength of Schedule of 71st toughest. USC is ranked 32 with a Strength of Schedule of 2nd toughest Sagarin has USC about a 7 point favorite on neutral field which makes them 4 1/2 point favorites away.
UA: They won 35-14 at Oregon State (1-3/0-1 this year, 1-11 last year) by 41-19. They beat 1-aa Southern Utah (0-4, 0-1) by 62-31. They lost to BYU (3-1, 4-9 LY) 23-28. They Lost to Houston (3-1, 7-5 LY) 18-45. Most of their high stats came from the Southern Utah game. Overall they average 35 ppg and give up 25. But against better competition (BYU and Houston) they averaged 20 ppg and gave up 37 ppg.
The UA offense looks ok, balanced between run and pass, They are about the same as USC on 3rd down conversions (below average).But they are scoring 20 points average and giving up 37 versus better teams is not encouraging for them. On defense it's tough to tell. They did do OK against BYU but got trampled versus Houston .They are not great at applying sacks, but good at preventing it so far. Turonver margin is slightly worse than USC.
On special teams their punting is better, but elsewhere USC has the better rseults. Overall I don’t see their offense as much better than USC. Their D is likely worse.
Forecast: SC beat UA 49-35 in the coliseum last year. Forcing UA into passing is wise unless Tate has recovered. Stop Taylor and Arizona is vulnerable. Houston ran for nearly 300 yards, which is likely something USC may try. My Forecast: USC 35 UA 24.
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