Arizona Football: What the Wildcats Need To Do To Be Prepared for Pac-10 Play

The Arizona Wildcats started their much anticipated 2010 season with a bang. 

Quarterback Nick Foles threw two touchdowns and ran for another, wide receiver Juron Criner showed that he hasn’t lost a step from his outstanding sophomore season, and the Wildcat defense held the Toledo Rockets to under 200 offensive yards, shutting them out.

Yes, the Wildcats played well, but there are aspects of their game that need to be fixed before they start Pac-10 play.

Even though Foles and the Wildcat offense played well, one thing they were missing for most of the game was a deep threat.

The overwhelming majority of the Wildcats passing game consisted of check-downs and short routes.  Even though there is nothing wrong with a six-yard passing play, to get it done in the Pac-10, you need to be able to stretch the field.

Of Foles’ 32 completions, only seven of them were over 15 yards, with just two of those coming in the first half.

If the Wildcats want to compete in an explosive Pac-10, the passing game will need to get off to a better start in the first half.  A passing game that can throw deep down field is also important when playing from behind late in a game, something the Wildcats will surely encounter against a much improved conference.

With the Pac-10 only getting better, the Wildcat coaching staff will have to pay close attention to their linebacking core to figure out who will be the right fit come September 25, the date of the ‘Cats Pac-10 opener.  On Friday, the Arizona linebackers lacked sideline-to-sideline speed, something that will be a crutch come conference play.

Against Toledo, it wasn’t a big deal. But when they have to chase down the likes of Oregon State's Jacquizz Rodgers or Washington’s Jake Locker, it could prove difficult.

While Arizona linebackers Derek Earls, Jake Fischer, and Paul Vassallo held their own against Toledo quarterback Austin Danton and the Toledo offense, keep in mind, it was the Toledo offense.  The same Toledo offense that went 5-7 in 2009, has an unproven starting sophomore quarterback, and plays in a conference with teams such as Eastern Michigan and Ball State, not quite the same competition as USC and Oregon.

With two games left until the Wildcats start Pac-10 play, they will need to fix these issues if they are to start their quest for a Rose Bowl appearance.