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BYU Football: Scouting the Schedule – Arizona

By Shaun Gordon

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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TUCSON, AZ – OCTOBER 28: Place kicker Josh Pollack #30 of the Arizona Wildcats kicks a 30 yard field goal in the first half against the Washington State Cougars at Arizona Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
TUCSON, AZ – OCTOBER 28: Place kicker Josh Pollack #30 of the Arizona Wildcats kicks a 30 yard field goal in the first half against the Washington State Cougars at Arizona Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /

Special Teams

The Wildcats were solid but unspectacular on field goals last season. Arizona split the field goal duties between Josh Pollack (Sr.) and Josh Havrisik (So.), and the two went a combined 14-19, including one make from beyond 50 yards. Both are back for the 2018 season.

On the punting side, the Wildcats struggled, averaging less than 35 yards per punt last season. They’ve brought in outside help this year, with graduate transfer Dylan Klumph coming over from Cal to improve the field position battle for Arizona.

Outlook

This is a team that will teeter on the brink of contention and collapse. The Wildcats have the talent, led by Khalil Tate, to make a run at the PAC-12 South title.

But that’s if the team stays healthy.

Arizona has very little depth, especially in the trenches and on defense. One or two key injuries could completely derail the season.

BYU gets the Wildcats at the perfect time. With a completely new offense being implemented, there’s a higher chance for their offense to sputter in their first game, as opposed to later in the season.

The Cougars will have to find a way to contain Tate, and the new Cougar offense will need to be more polished than the new Wildcat one for BYU to have a chance in this game.

BYU vs. Arizona Series History

  • Arizona leads the all-time series 12-10-1.
  • BYU won the last matchup in 2016. The Cougars won 18-16 in the Arizona Cardinals’ University of Phoenix Stadium.
  • The two teams have three future games scheduled: 2021 (in Las Vegas), 2026 (Provo), 2027 (Tempe).
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