Arizona Wildcat Football: Upset Alert, Beware of Golden Bears

After an emotional and important win against the now No. 18 Iowa Hawkeyes, the Arizona Wildcats have to make sure they know the worst isn’t behind them; in fact it’s just beginning.

Last year the Wildcats were in the running to win the Pac-10 when they stumbled upon a Cal team that showed them exactly why they didn’t belong in the Rose Bowl.

Arizona would go on to lose the game in Berkley 24-16, in which the team was possibly looking a week ahead to the No. 11 Oregon Ducks.  Don’t be surprised if a similar outcome ensues.

Arizona will be facing No. 24 Oregon State next week, but for now must not look any further then Sept. 25.  Cal has the talent, like many other Pac-10 schools, to upset anyone in the conference.

The player they must keep a spotlight on is Cal running back Shane Vereen. 

Vereen, who was overshadowed last year because if Jahvid Best, just came off a career high 198 yard three touchdown performance in a losing effort against Nevada.  Averaging over 10 yards per rush against the Wolf Pack last week, Vereen will be coming in hot to test a Wildcat defense that shut down the Iowa Hawkeye rushing attack on the way to a win.

Even if the Wildcats are able to cut Shane Vereen out of the picture, they will still have to worry about quarterback Kevin Riley.

When people look at the elite Pac-10 quarterbacks Riley is often left out, but don’t take this three year starter lightly.  Riley just came off a 2009 campaign where he threw for over 2,800 yards along with 18 touchdowns and only eight interceptions.  Regardless of how little national attention he gets, this guy can get it done.

With receiver Marvin Jones coming off a career best 12 reception 161 yard performance, Riley will be looking his way to help lead the passing attack.

The Golden Bear defense will look to improve on their lackluster performance last week giving up almost 500 yards of total offense which included over 300 yards on the ground.  Don’t expect this defense to give up 500 yards two weeks in a row.

With that in mind, the Wildcats must show that they are not only a great passing team, and make sure to utilize all three running backs in Nic Grigsby, Keola Antolin, and Greg Nwoko. 

Regardless how Arizona approaches this game, it will be a tough test between two Pac-10 teams and will likely finish much closer than many people expect.  If the Wildcats can focus on Saturday’s game and make sure not to take this team lightly, then they will be able to stay undefeated and avoid history from repeating itself.