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NCAA Football – Week 6

After a 3-0 start, the Arizona Wildcats have lost two straight. Stanford was 3-0 after a huge victory over USC, but they stumbled last Thursday in Seattle. Both of these teams really need to get back on track in the PAC 12 Conference race. Which team will have the upper hand this Saturday afternoon?

Game Overview:

Rich Rodriguez has brought his spread offense to Arizona, and this unit is having a lot of success so far this season. Rodriguez was fortunate to have a veteran quarterback like Matt Scott waiting for him in Arizona. Scott has thrown for 1,608 yards in just five games. He has a terrific grasp of the offense. Ka’Deem Carey is averaging 5.5 yards per carry, and he already has seven touchdown rushes this year. Arizona is a more balanced offense than they were a year ago, which has made this team better. Arizona is tenth in the nation in total offense.

As good as the Wildcats offense is, the defense needs a lot of work. The defense ranks 96^th in the nation in total defense. Two of the teams top linebackers are out for the season with an injury, and this unit doesn’t have very much depth. The secondary was one of the worst in the nation last year, and nothing has changed this season. Arizona is allowing 284.4 passing yards per contest so far this season. This defense will have to get better for the Wildcats to be competitive against the best of the PAC 12.

Stanford picked up a massive victory over USC a couple weeks ago, but they just couldn’t get going offensively last week against Washington. The Cardinal defense is still very good, but the offense has definitely experienced a drop off now that Andrew Luck is playing for the Indianapolis Colts. Stanford is putting up just 327 yards per game. Josh Nunes has only 785 passing yards in four games. He is completing only 52 percent of his passes. Stepfan Taylor is the team’s best offensive player. Taylor is averaging 4.7 yards per carry. The offensive line is very good, but there aren’t as many play makers on this offense in 2012.

The Cardinal defense is absolutely excellent against the run. Stanford is giving up just 65.2 yards per game on the ground, which is good for fourth best in the nation. The secondary has been picked on at times this year, and that will be an area the team needs to improve going down the stretch this year. Overall, Stanford is giving up only 15.2 points per game.

Prediction:

Matt Scott and the Arizona offense should be able to move the ball against a questionable Stanford secondary. Look for this game to be a little closer than most people expect.

Stanford 31 Arizona 27