Washington Huskies at Arizona Wildcats
Saturday, October 20, 2012, 10:00 pm Eastern, TV: Pac 12 Network
Arizona Stadium – Tucson, Arizona
Opening Line: Arizona -6
Current Line: Arizona -7 1/2
Opening Total: 62
Current Total: 65
Opening Money Line: Arizona -300 / Washington +250
Current Money Line: Arizona -300 / Washington +250
At various points this season, both the Washington Huskies and Arizona Wildcats were ranked in the top 25. However, both are now 3-3 and desperate for a win in the Pac 12. They meet Saturday night in Tucson for the 29th time. Washington leads the series 18-9-1, and has won 11 of the last 17, including a 42-31 win last year in Seattle.
Washington is coached by Steve Sarkisian and is 1-2 in the Pac 12. The Huskies have losses at LSU 41-3 and Oregon 52-21 and last week at home against USC 24-14. All are ranked 10th or higher in the BCS standings. The Huskies have home wins against San Diego St 21-12, Portland St 52-13, and then #8 Stanford 17-13. The Huskies are 3-3 ATS and the total is 1-4 this season. Washington was a 14.5 point favorite against USC and the total was 55.
The Huskies are averaging 317.5 yards per game, including 186.5 passing yards and 131 rushing yards. Washington is 93rd or worse in all three categories. On defense, the Huskies are allowing 354.7 yards per game, including 172. passing yards (#11 nationally) and 182 rushing yards per game. Washington is being outscored 25.8-21.3. The Huskies have forced 11 turnovers, and have a turnover margin of -2. The Huskies average 62.8 penalty yards per game and have allowed 17 sacks this year. Washington has forced 9 sacks. The Huskies are 37/99 on third and fourth down conversions, and 13/18 scoring in the red zone with 11 touchdowns. Husky opponents are 34/92 on third and fourth downs, and 17/21 scoring in the red zone with 11 touchdowns.
Washington quarterback Keith Price has completed 114 of 186 passes (61.3%) for 1,080 yards with 7 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. He has been sacked 17 times through 5 games. The leaky offensive line is also why the running game has struggled. Three Husky offensive linemen are listed as questionable or out for the Arizona game. Bishop Sankey has 103 carries, 487 yards and 6 touchdowns, and 9 catches for 64 yards. Running back Erich Wilson II has 25 carries, 140 yards and a touchdown. Running backs Jesse Callier and Deontae Cooper are both out for the season with knee injuries. Receiver Kasen Williams has 33 catches, 362 yards and 4 touchdowns. Tight end Austin Sefarian-Jenkins has 29 catches, 337 yards and 2 touchdowns. Receiver James Johnson is out indefinitely with a wrist injury. Twelve Huskies are listed as doubtful or out against Arizona.
Arizona is 0-3 in the Pac 12 under first year coach Rich Rodriguez. The Wildcats have lost 3 games in a row after starting off 3-0. Arizona has home wins over Toledo 24-17 in overtime, 59-38 over Oklahoma St, and 56-0 over South Carolina St. The Wildcats have losses at Oregon 49-0 and two weeks ago at Stanford 54-48 in overtime, along with a home loss to Oregon St 38-35. The Wildcats are 3-3 ATS and the total is 3-2 this season. Arizona was a 10 point underdog at Stanford and the total was 54.5.
Arizona is averaging 551.3 yards per game including 368.3 passing yards and 183 rushing yards. The Wildcats are in the top 5 nationally in total and passing offense. For the season, Arizona is outscoring opponents 37-32.7 this season. Arizona has forced 11 turnovers, but has given up 12 turnovers to opponents. The Wildcats have allowed 12 sacks. Arizona is 47/104 on third and fourth down conversions, and 28/40 scoring in the red zone with 22 touchdowns. On defense, the Wildcats are allowing 478.8 yards per game, including 297 passing yards and 181.8 rushing yards. Arizona is 87th or worse in all defensive categories. The Wildcats have forced 6 sacks this season. Arizona opponents are 48/110 on third and fourth down conversions, and 22/24 scoring in the red zone, with 18 touchdowns.
Arizona quarterback Matt Scott has completed 186 of 289 passes (64.4%) for 2,099 yards with 13 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. He is also the second leading rusher for the ‘Cats with 57 carries, 222 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Running back Ka’Deem Carey has 126 carries, 670 yards, and 10 touchdowns, along with 21 catches for 220 yards with a touchdown. Daniel Jenkins and Jared Baker will also get some carries. Each has a rushing touchdown this year. Receiver Austin Hill has 42 catches, 608 yards and 5 touchdowns. Dan Buckner has 39 catches, 513 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Richard Morrison has 23 catches, 171 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Six Wildcats are out indefinitely or for the season, and three more are questionable for Saturday’s game. The injured players include 5 defensive players and 3 offensive linemen.
Washington is 6-0 ATS after a bye week, 6-2-1 after a straight up loss, 8-3 after allowing less than 170 yards, 14-35-2 in October, 1-4 after a cover, and after scoring 20 points or less, 0-6 in road games, and 0-4 on grass. The underdog is 11-3 ATS in this series recently.
Arizona is 9-3 ATS after a bye week, 5-2 in October, 5-11 after a straight up loss, 2-5 in Pac 12 games, 8-22 after allowing 280 passing yards, 2-7 after allowing 40 points, 1-4 after allowing 450 yards or more, 1-5 after scoring 40 points or more, and 1-7 after a cover. The home team is 4-0 ATS in this series, and the last 5 have gone over the total.
Both of these teams have played a brutal stretch so far with 4 ranked teams each in their first 6 games. Washington is inept on offense, but Arizona can’t stop anyone on defense. The Huskies do have a good pass defense though, and could slow down the high powered Wildcat offense. I think Arizona wins a close game at home, though.
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