Who, What, When: Arizona
By Paul Myerberg // Jul 19, 2010
Want an Arizona player to watch? A theme key to this team’s success? One game to circle in red ink? Let’s take a look.
Who: cornerback Marcus Benjamin
With Trevin Wade lined up one side, Benjamin is sure to land plenty of attention from opposing quarterbacks. Is he ready? The former JUCO transfer spent his first season in Tucson learning the defense, serving in a reserve role. Wade is a good one, as is strong safety Robert Golden. Even with the loss of Cam Nelson, the Wildcats can insert an experienced hand in senior Joe Perkins to fill out the starting lineup. How the secondary fares, however, may depend on whether Benjamin is prepared for this major role.
What: linebackers
On a defense facing rebuilding jobs on each level, no group is a larger question mark than the Arizona linebackers. Unfortunately, the Wildcats return zero career starts at the position. This uncertainty has allowed JUCO additions Derek Earls and Paul Vassallo to make claims to starting roles, with Earls virtually assured of starting the season in the starting lineup. Sophomore Jake Fischer will start on the weak side, as of now. What do we know about the Arizona linebacker corps? Absolutely nothing. No proven track record, no meaningful experience, nothing more than work on the practice field. It’s a concern.
When: Sept. 25 vs. California
I could go with virtually any Pac-10 game: the conference might not have a viable national title contender — no offense to Oregon — but has eight very clear bowl teams. Arizona, of course, is one of those teams. I have Arizona stuck in a logjam in the middle of the Pac-10, whose denizens include the Wildcats, U.C.L.A, California and Stanford. With the Bruins and Cardinal coming on the road, you could look at the home game with the Bears as a must-win.
Tags: Arizona, Derek Earls, Marcus Benjamin, Robert Golden, Trevin Wade
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