OK when did Arizona become a good football team? - cougarguard.com — unofficial BYU Cougars / LDS sports, football, basketball forum and message board

mpfunk · 05-08-2006, 05:35 PM

So the past couple of years all I have been hearing from BYU fans was how terrible Arizona's football team was. They were easily the worst team in the Pac-10 and were going nowhere. Now I do not disagree they were terrible. What I am wondering is now BYU fans are talking up Arizona as a good team going into next year. Of course it is no coincidence that BYU is playing Arizona.

I would like to pose this question on the other site, where all this praise of Arizona is coming from, however, I am not allowed. So could the BYU fans on this site tell me why this 3-8 team is now a quality opponent?

TheSizzle36 · 05-08-2006, 05:52 PM

They did make strides at the end of last season when they changed QBs. I think they started off 1-5 and finished off 3-4, including a win v. UCLA. Now, while Arizona certainly isn't the cream of the Pac-10, they are better than they were 2 years ago, and improved over last season as well.

As one who likes to consider himself an objective Cougar fan (ie I'll give Utah their props and BYU its criticism when it's deserved) I think that Arizona really is turning it around.

The fact that BYU just happens to be on their schedule this year is pure coincidence, IMO.

mpfunk · 05-08-2006, 06:04 PM

I agree that Arizona will be a better team next year, but they are still not a quality opponent. They are not as some BYU fans are saying right now, a tougher opponent next year then the Utes. Then again it is only IdaCoug making this claim, so maybe I should consider the source

I think Arizona will improve, but they will still be at best around 6-6 if not still under 500. People have been saying Arizona will make the jump the past 3 years, and it just has not happened.

COUGZ · 05-10-2006, 03:01 PM

Personally, I think BYU will beat the hell out Arizona. I will be shocked if BYU doesn't win by at least 14 points.

I'm not even saying that with blue tinted glasses on. Ute fans have to agree that BYU has a very, very good offense that will be running on high from day one b/c of continuity in the system.

Yes the defense will be bad, but it can't be as bad (IMO) as last season. Arizona should get better, but BYU will pound them.

ute4ever · 05-10-2006, 03:56 PM

Oh knock it off Funk, you already know the answer to this. Arizona became a good team shortly after Cal became the most underrated team in the Pac-10 (and the best unranked team in the land), Georgia Tech became the most overrated BCS team, and Utah State suddenly became a respectable opponent again.

Duh.

il Padrino Ute · 05-10-2006, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by COUGZ

Personally, I think BYU will beat the hell out Arizona. I will be shocked if BYU doesn't win by at least 14 points.

I'm not even saying that with blue tinted glasses on. Ute fans have to agree that BYU has a very, very good offense that will be running on high from day one b/c of continuity in the system.

Yes the defense will be bad, but it can't be as bad (IMO) as last season. Arizona should get better, but BYU will pound them.

I agree that the BYU offense will be very good, but until I see it happen, I can't say that the defense will be any better. I figure BYU will have to outscore the other team to get wins and I beleive the offense is very capable of going that.

As for the Arizona team, I have no idea how bad or good they'll be. I only saw them play Utah last year and they didn't look very good. I do agree with mp's point that it seems several BYU fans have decided that Arizona is better for the simple reason that the Wildcat's are on BYU's schedule.

COUGZ · 05-10-2006, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by il Padrino Ute

I agree that the BYU offense will be very good, but until I see it happen, I can't say that the defense will be any better. I figure BYU will have to outscore the other team to get wins and I beleive the offense is very capable of going that.

As for the Arizona team, I have no idea how bad or good they'll be. I only saw them play Utah last year and they didn't look very good. I do agree with mp's point that it seems several BYU fans have decided that Arizona is better for the simple reason that the Wildcat's are on BYU's schedule.

I don't think Arizona is better simply because they are on BYU's schedule, but because they were improving down the strech. Why I think BYU wins big? Because I don't think 'Zona will have the offense clicking right off the start while I believe BYU's will be. I think BYU will get a quick 14 or 17-0 lead before Zona's offense begins to realize what they can do on poor, poor BYU's defense.

05-08-2006, 05:35 PM	#1
mpfunk Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,619	OK when did Arizona become a good football team? So the past couple of years all I have been hearing from BYU fans was how terrible Arizona's football team was. They were easily the worst team in the Pac-10 and were going nowhere. Now I do not disagree they were terrible. What I am wondering is now BYU fans are talking up Arizona as a good team going into next year. Of course it is no coincidence that BYU is playing Arizona. I would like to pose this question on the other site, where all this praise of Arizona is coming from, however, I am not allowed. So could the BYU fans on this site tell me why this 3-8 team is now a quality opponent?

05-08-2006, 05:52 PM	#2
TheSizzle36 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 3,786	They did make strides at the end of last season when they changed QBs. I think they started off 1-5 and finished off 3-4, including a win v. UCLA. Now, while Arizona certainly isn't the cream of the Pac-10, they are better than they were 2 years ago, and improved over last season as well. As one who likes to consider himself an objective Cougar fan (ie I'll give Utah their props and BYU its criticism when it's deserved) I think that Arizona really is turning it around. The fact that BYU just happens to be on their schedule this year is pure coincidence, IMO.

05-08-2006, 06:04 PM	#3
mpfunk Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,619	I agree that Arizona will be a better team next year, but they are still not a quality opponent. They are not as some BYU fans are saying right now, a tougher opponent next year then the Utes. Then again it is only IdaCoug making this claim, so maybe I should consider the source I think Arizona will improve, but they will still be at best around 6-6 if not still under 500. People have been saying Arizona will make the jump the past 3 years, and it just has not happened.

05-10-2006, 03:01 PM	#4
COUGZ Junior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Provo Posts: 26	Personally, I think BYU will beat the hell out Arizona. I will be shocked if BYU doesn't win by at least 14 points. I'm not even saying that with blue tinted glasses on. Ute fans have to agree that BYU has a very, very good offense that will be running on high from day one b/c of continuity in the system. Yes the defense will be bad, but it can't be as bad (IMO) as last season. Arizona should get better, but BYU will pound them.

05-10-2006, 03:56 PM	#5
ute4ever I must not tell lies Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 5,103	Oh knock it off Funk, you already know the answer to this. Arizona became a good team shortly after Cal became the most underrated team in the Pac-10 (and the best unranked team in the land), Georgia Tech became the most overrated BCS team, and Utah State suddenly became a respectable opponent again. Duh.