The best thing about the Rich Rodriguez hire at Arizona is also the worst. Rodriguez clearly has something to prove. The odds are he is motivated and ready to prove his critics wrong.

Rodriguez went to Michigan as the golden boy. He took a solid West Virginia program and made them a national power. The Mounties were good under Don Nehlen but Rodriguez built them into a two-time BCS team and was one bad loss to Pitt away from playing for a national title. He was 35-5 his final three seasons.

He was THE hot candidate after the 2007 season. He reportedly turned down the Alabama job and took the Michigan job, replacing Lloyd Carr. (more…)

Greg Byrne Pt. 1 – Arizona Athletic Director Greg Byrne announces the dismissal of Mike Stoops.

Interim Head Coach Tim Kish

With Mike Stoops out at Arizona, Defensive Coordinator Tim Kish assumes the mantle as interim head coach.  Let’s take a closer look at the man who will guide Arizona the rest of the season.

Profile
Age: 56
Years at Arizona: 8
Hometown: Westerville, OH
College: Otterbein College, Bowling Green State

Kish has been at Arizona since the start of the Mike Stoops era. He joined Stoops as his first linebackers coach and was named associate head coach a few years into his Arizona stint. In 2009 he was named co-defensive coordinator with Greg Brown after Mark Stoops left for Florida State. After Brown left for Colorado, Kish was given the coordinator job outright.

Kish has been coaching for over 30 years, with stints in the Big-10, MAC and Ohio Prep ranks among others. He has been one of Arizona’s top recruiters, focusing on Phoenix and parts of the Los Angeles area. He also helps recruit Chicago after Bill Bedenbaugh departed for West Virginia.

Kish began his coaching career in 1976 at the prep level before becoming a grad assistant at Bowling Green State. In 1979 he became the assistant secondary coach at Purdue and after three years moved onto Ball State where he coached both quarterbacks and defensive line in successive years. (more…)

Arizona lost to Oregon State 37-27 in a game that featured another Arizona second-half rally. Believe it or not there was some good, but the good was like sprinkles on a big cupcake of bad.

Good News
Arizona did not give up 500 yards of offense to the Beavers. Just 403 yards. Arizona had given up over 500 yards of total offense in four straight games.

Bad News
Well, if you were playing The 1290 am Rob Lantz Crappy Special Teams Bingo at home, you had almost every category checked, save for a return for score. For those playing along, the Wildcats missed an extra point, missed a field goal, gave up a first down on a fake punt, had a punt blocked and returned for a score, muffed a kickoff, fumbled a kickoff and either called a fake punt that was snuffed out or had your cannon legged punter roll out for a rugby punt that went 30 yards.

Arizona failed to register a sack and only pressured Sean Mannion on a few occasions. One of those was an interception. HOWEVER, the Wildcats get the pick at the 28 yard line, and do not throw deep. When you have a chance to steal momentum, you have to take it. One thing Pete Carroll would do is go for the endzone to try and steal the momentum from a team that had yet to win. Instead Arizona runs the ball, throws short twice and settles for a missed field goal, no points, and gives the Beavers the momentum back. (more…)

Cal at Oregon
Cal is a solid 3-1 on the season, but have not faced anyone as good as Oregon. Oregon is also 3-1, but their lone loss is to No. 1 LSU. Supposedly the Ducks are going with a “throwback” jersey, but with their 4,345,267,195 uniform combinations, it could be a throwback to the last quarter. The Swoosh have had some scares Thursday in October, but this wont be one.
Oregon 48, Cal 24

Arizona State at Utah
I really don’t believe ASU is that great and looked ordinary in a road loss to Illinois. Utah is never an easy place to play, but if Washington can win there, so can the Poseidons. Then again, can anyone trust Brock Osweiler on the road? I keep going back and forth on this one, and can make a good argument with both.
Arizona State 33, Utah 28

Colorado at Stanford
Colorado went to Ohio State and were thumped. Palo Alto is not as tough an environment as Columbus, but the Cardinal are much better than the Buckeyes.
Stanford 45, Colorado 10

Washington State at UCLA
Washington State has played well, but a lot of that is due to the schedule. The Cougs have only played one team with a winning record, and that team, San Diego State, beat them 42-24. They did just earn a really nice road win at a mediocre Colorado team and although UCLA is a little bit better, they aren’t that superior to the Buffs. UCLA has two wins, but those two teams are a combined 2-7.
WSU 27, UCLA 20

Arizona at Oregon State
Arizona has played awful against really good teams, while Oregon State has just played awful. Oregon State usually plays better in October, but will it be enough? I think the Cats get the win, but it will be ugly.
Arizona 41, Oregon State 34

On a related note:
Arizona missed tackles 56, Arizona Points 41

Last Week: 4-1
Season: 36-5