Pac-10's Road-Weary Arizona Wildcats Rested, Ready for Washington Huskies

No more rest for the Wildcats. From here on out, it’s go time.

Over the past four weeks, the Arizona Wildcats (3-1, 1-0) have become the authority on airline travel. With roughly 7,500 miles of flight travel this season (to Iowa, Oregon State and now Washington), the Wildcats are the most traveled team in the Pac-10.  

Arriving the night before the game, the Wildcats are given time to unwind from the trip and get acclimated to their surroundings.

"There are negatives and positives when traveling. For me, I kind of like it because it gives me a chance to see new things and meet new people," junior receiver Delashaun Dean said. "The negatives are few, but sometimes the plane rides are long and annoying, especially after the games when your body is beat up and exhausted."

Considering how banged up the Wildcats are, it’d be tough to say that the travel hasn’t been a factor. 

In the game against Oregon State, running backs Nic Grisby and Keola Antolin were forced out of action with shoulder and ankle injuries, respectively. After this week’s game, the Wildcats will be home for three in a row, something they and the ZonaZoo are looking forward to.

But first thing's first.

Making use of the bye week, the Wildcats are getting healthier and figuring out a way to stop the Washington Huskies (2-3, 1-1) and quarterback Jake Locker. Locker burned them for 493 yards of total offense during his 2007 freshman season.

In addition to Locker, who is averaging 256.6 yards per game passing, Arizona also has to worry about running back Chris Polk, the Pac-10’s top freshman rusher. 

It'll be no small task, but hopefully the nation’s 23rd ranked defense is ready for the challenge.

Last year in Tucson, the Cats jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, beating the Huskies 48-14 behind three touchdown catches by the now-injured Rob Gronkowski. 

Locker didn't play that game because of a broken right thumb.

Like last year's Huskies, Arizona is playing without its best player. 

I’m sure Locker would love to return the favor.