2010 Arkansas Razorbacks Preview Odds

Arizona Wildcats

8-5, 6-7 ATS, 2nd Place in Pac-10

Odds to Win 2010 BCS Championship: +10000 at Bookmaker Sportsbook

The Wildcats are coming off a season where close games were the norm. The team posted a 4-4 record in games decided by ten points or less. A 6-3 conference record was impressive, but the season came to a crashing end via a 33-0 loss to Nebraska in the Holiday Bowl. The team returns most of its offense, but will need to do some retooling on the other side of the ball if they hope to remain among the Pac-10 elite.

Offensive Outlook: Last season, starting quarterback Matt Scott gave way to Nick Foles early on. Foles was up to the challenge, completing 257-of-400 passes for 2,466 yards, 19 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Leading wide receiver Juron Criner is back, looking to add to last year’s 45 catches, 582 yards, and nine scores. The most significant loss on offense will be receiver Terrell Turner. Turner was good for 458 yards and four scores on 49 receptions. Also gone is Deleshaun Dean, who transferred after being suspended. The Wildcats are very deep at this spot, so expect David Roberts and David Douglas to fill the vacancies. Last year, the two juniors combined for 730 yards and three scores on 74 receptions. The ground game will remain very solid, with both top rushers returning. Junior Keola Antolin raced for 637 yards and four touchdowns on 114 carries a season ago. The only thing that can stop this offense from staying strong is injuries.

Defensive Outlook: It seemed to be a tale of two defenses last season. After an early four game stretch in which the team allowed 133 points in four games, the unit settled down. Overall, the Wildcats allowed a 25th best 322.2 yards per game, with 201.7 of those coming through the air. Pressuring the quarterback was a huge upside for this unit, as they managed 37 sacks. Opponents converted just 33.5% of the time on third down. Now, the unit must replace seven starters. Fortunately, they can build around cornerback Trevin Wade, who led the unit with five interceptions last year.

The Final Word: Arizona won’t have any trouble putting up points and playing in shootouts. The re-tooled defense will ultimately determine if they can challenge Oregon and Oregon State for a title. The key games may come early, with Iowa, California, and Oregon State all in a row at home. All three beat the Wildcats last season.

2010 Arizona Wildcats Prediction: 10-2, 1st place in Pac-10

2010 Arizona Wildcats Schedule
9/3 @ Toledo
9/11 Citadel
9/18 Iowa
9/25 California
10/9 Oregon State
10/16 @ Washington State
10/23 Washington
10/30 @ UCLA
11/6 @ Stanford
11/13 USC
11/26 @ Oregon
12/2 @ Arizona State