Q&A: Arizona Wildcats Expert Previews Cowboys’ Trip to Tucson

The last time the Cowboys faced Arizona, they suffered a famous upset way back in 2012. Now they’re headed back to the desert looking to break a year-plus winning drought against the FBS.

To get some context on the Wildcats in their second season in the Big 12, I interviewed Brian J. Pederson, site manager of Arizona Desert Swarm. I also caught up with him to give some insight on OSU earlier this. Here’s what Brian had to say.

1. The Wildcats are coming off their first loss of the year, after falling behind big in the first half against Iowa State. What’s the mindset around Tucson coming into Saturday?

Arizona’s offense had opportunities, but Noah Fifita missed some throws. And once it fell behind multiple scores the run game that has been effective had to go out the door. Defensively, the Wildcats held Iowa State to 2.4 yards per carry, but their pass defense got burned multiple times in man coverage, which hadn’t happened this season.

This staff is big on personal accountability, and those we’ve talked to this week have owned their mistakes and are eager to fix them.

2. Arizona came into Week 4 with just two turnovers in three games, but Noah Fifita had his first two INTs of the season in Ames. Did the Cyclones do anything in particular to dispossess the Wildcats?

The first INT was a great play by the defensive back who benefited from a receiver hesitating early in his route, which enabled the DB to fall back into an area he wasn’t supposed to be. The second was among the throws where Fifita was off, throwing behind an open man on what would have been a touchdown.

Iowa State’s defense was most effective at limiting yards after catch. In almost every case Arizona’s receiver was stopped right where they caught the ball unless it was a swing pass.

3. The Wildcats have been pretty good against the run thus far. How do you think they will do if OSU continues to bolster its run game with special packages for Sam Jackson V at QB?

Defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales is committed to playing man so he can load the box and force QBs to be very accurate, which Rocco Becht was. Arizona has been mostly good against mobile passers, too, but if Jackson gets outside and DBs lose eye discipline it could result in a big play.

That happened against Iowa State when a sweep to a tight end drew in one DB just long enough to let another tight end get behind him for a big play.

4. Turning to Arizona’s rushing attack, what makes Texas State transfer Iamail Mahdi so effective with the ball in his hands?

Mahdi led FBS in all-purpose yards, and he’s shown that the last two weeks as a rusher, receiver and kick returner. He’s strong enough to take contact but also doesn’t need much room to get through an opening.

Against Kansas State he caught a dump off on third-and-long and it went for 27 yards to set up a field goal to go up 6 in the fourth quarter.

5. Who’s one player that has surprised you so far this season, and how do you see him figuring into the mix Saturday?

The most surprising to me has been linebacker Riley Wilson, a transfer from Montana. He looked great in spring but then missed a lot of camp and only played in the second half of one game in nonconference play. But he had two sacks last week in 27 snaps and just seems to always be around the ball.

Look for him to be more involved this week including up on the line.

6. What’s been the biggest difference in covering Big 12 football over Pac-12 over the last year-plus?

For one, we no longer have to listen to fans complain about their cable service not having the Pac-12 Network, but instead they complain about having to have multiple streaming platforms. Some people just aren’t happy unless they’ve got something to be unhappy about.

But what I’ve enjoyed the most is new opponents and new venues, with every Big 12 road environment so far better than almost all the Pac-12 ones. This league clearly cares more about football than the last one.

7. And your score prediction?

Iowa State was never a winnable game, in my opinion, but the way it got away from Arizona so quickly was a bit concerning and tempered some belief that this time is considerably better than last year’s. But how the Wildcats do against an Oklahoma State team in turmoil, particularly if they struggle, will be more telling.

This SHOULD be a bounce-back game that a good team would dominate. Arizona may have some hiccups not knowing what OSU throws at it but will ultimately win comfortably. Let’s say 38-21.