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Transcript: live Q&A chat with Ryan Finley on UA football

Here is the transcript of Ryan Finley's live Q&A chat on UA football and Saturday's game against Utah.

Welcome! The chat will get under way in a few minutes. If you've already submitted a question, it is in queue - there is no need to submit it again. Ryan will answer as many questions as he can.

by John Bolton, StarNet night... 11/15/2012 6:50:46 PM
Hi everybody. Welcome to the latest in our series of weekly chats. Arizona became bowl eligible, witnessed a new Pac-12 and UA rushing record and played well with a backup quarterback in last week's win over Colorado. Saturday, the Wildcats travel to play Utah. Fire away with your questions; I'll get to as many as I can over the next hour. Go!

by Ryan Finley 11/15/2012 7:01:40 PM
what do they cover the field with during the week? i look on the webcam and there is a grey tarp over it....also any adam hall news, and what is your prediction for the game this weekend? do the cats get their first road win?

by jim 11/15/2012 7:02:03 PM
Interesting first question. When the weather's cold, UA grounds crews cover the field with a tarp that's supposed to keep potential freezes away. No Adam Hall news — he's gone. And I think I like Utah in a close one this weekend; SLC is a tough, tough place to play — especially at night, and especially in the cold.

by Ryan Finley 11/15/2012 7:03:24 PM
Who backs up BJ?

by desert guy 11/15/2012 7:03:26 PM
If B.J. Denker starts Saturday (unlikely) and gets hurt, Richard Morrison would take over. Consider him an emergency option only.

by Ryan Finley 11/15/2012 7:03:46 PM
Any new injury updates?

by Burt Cole 11/15/2012 7:03:49 PM
Nope, Arizona will release the full injury report today. Expect QB Matt Scott to be listed as questionable to play, with a decision coming later in the week. My guess is he'll play.

by Ryan Finley 11/15/2012 7:04:18 PM
Ryan: I do not care to travel to Las Vegas or Albuquerque next month. What can you and the team do to ensure they will be playing in San Francisco, instead?

by SamCat 11/15/2012 7:04:21 PM
First of all, everybody loves Vegas. Come on! Secondly, I think the Wildcats can earn a spot in SF by either splitting or winning their next two games. There are too many moving parts to predict anything more concrete than that.

by Ryan Finley 11/15/2012 7:05:02 PM
Will Utah's defense be able to to stop Arizona offense

by Burt Cole 11/15/2012 7:05:05 PM
That's the big question. Arizona's going to have to work the ball to both sidelines, and away from Utah DT Star Lotulelei, to have a chance. Here's a story I wrote about ol' Star today: azstarnet.com

by Ryan Finley 11/15/2012 7:05:58 PM
The one thing that has come up is how small our Defensive Lineman are.......It does not sound like we recruited any large lineman in this class. Are they still recruiting any large defensive tackles who can play next year? Thanks,

by dsoble 11/15/2012 7:06:00 PM
There aren't many in the chute, which means you'll probably be watching more undersized underclassmen in the next few years. Keep an eye on redshirting freshman Kyle Kelley, though: my guess is he'll start at either end or tackle next season.

by Ryan Finley 11/15/2012 7:06:57 PM
Thanks for the chats Ryan !!

The oddsmakers are showing no line for Ariz vs Utah.
That tells me that the x-factor here is Matt Scott.

Will Matt play against Utah? And if not how do you rate
the chances for Ariz with Denker leading? I thought Denker
looked very polished in his first collegiate start...even
though it was against the no-D Buffalos....

by DickTomey_97 11/15/2012 7:07:02 PM
Very astute observation re: oddsmakers. My guess is that Scott plays and, assuming he stays upright, Arizona can hang with the Utes. Denker was really impressive last weekend, even against a bad defense, but likely wouldn't have the same success against the Utes.Why? Arm strength.Scott has a cannon, and can stretch defenses vertically to keep them honest. Denker throws a nice ball with great touch, but his arm isn't as strong.

by Ryan Finley 11/15/2012 7:08:25 PM
Has RichRod emphasized that perhaps it is time for us to win a road game? Is that any part of the motivation this week?

by SamCat 11/15/2012 7:08:27 PM
No. He believes that Arizona's road "curse" is a byproduct of playing good teams — and looking at who they've lost to this season (Oregon, UCLA, Stanford), he's not entirely wrong. Arizona has plenty of motivation this week — I just don't think the road game thing is part of it.

by Ryan Finley 11/15/2012 7:09:20 PM
Have you heard any updates on Direct TV and the Pac 12 network? I switched to Dish last week and love it. I found it interested when I was on the phone cancelling my Direct TV that the woman said you arent the first person in your area to do this. Cant understand why everyone else is on board and Direct TV is letting there customers go to other companies. Its only been a week but we like dish better so far.

by jerry p. 11/15/2012 7:09:24 PM
No news on DirecTV; interesting take on DISH. I have Cox, and think it's been just great.

by Ryan Finley 11/15/2012 7:09:43 PM
Any chance the big time quarterback coming in from high school in Las Vegas can enroll early? How awesome would it be if here was here for the spring!

by Rick 11/15/2012 7:09:56 PM
Unsure on whether Anu Solomon could graduate early, or if Arizona would want him to. If his HS numbers are any indication, Solomon has a chance to be special. Will he be starting-as-a-freshman special? Unsure.

by Ryan Finley 11/15/2012 7:10:37 PM
Two questions: Am I the only one that is interested in which players are awarded Ms. Rita's nacho dip every week? Two, if so, have you been keeping track of these weekly award winners? Would be interested to see if there is a position or negative correlation between a player's performance in that week's game if they were a nacho dip recipient.

by LaneMyers 11/15/2012 7:10:43 PM
I have been keeping track of weekly awards, and — sadly — can report almost no connection between winning one week and playing better the next. The Nacho Dip awards go to players who have overcome adversity and, often, don't play much. Maybe I can turn all this into a story for later in the year. Thoughts?

by Ryan Finley 11/15/2012 7:11:39 PM
I love these chats as much as any loyal reader, but I have plans next Thursday that don't include you, Ryan. Will you be shifting next week's chat in honor of Thanksgiving?

by SamCat 11/15/2012 7:11:41 PM
Yes, we're moving next week's chat to Tuesday. By this time next Thursday, I'll be watching the Lions and nursing a drink — like, I hope, all of you.

by Ryan Finley 11/15/2012 7:12:49 PM
Any chance Mr. Football changes his moniker? His predictions have been awful this year. I hope he picks Utah this week.

by mark 11/15/2012 7:12:52 PM
You leave Mr. Football alone! :)

by Ryan Finley 11/15/2012 7:13:02 PM
Was Arizonas OL tht great last week or Colorados DL just stagnant

by Utah Star 11/15/2012 7:13:05 PM
Maybe both — I'm not sophisticated enough to say which had more of an impact. The Wildcats' line isn't exactly killing people — coaches would still like to see them get to the next level of defense faster — but has been pretty darn good this year.

by Ryan Finley 11/15/2012 7:14:16 PM
I was happy with the crowd last week. First time I was in Tucson since 2004. The product was bad for a while, so you can't blame some do

by Brian 11/15/2012 7:14:19 PM
Agreed. Add in a few record-breaking performances and a big video board, and you probably had a great time.

by Ryan Finley 11/15/2012 7:14:37 PM
I see 55,000 plus every game by year 3 of Rich Rod. Thoughts?

by Brian 11/15/2012 7:14:40 PM
Depends on the results — and how it looks. Win and play exciting football, and the fans will come.

by Ryan Finley 11/15/2012 7:14:58 PM
This group of Wild cats has never played in a place as hostile or cold as they will this Saturday. The MUSS is the best student section in the conference by far and will be jacked for this game. Hope the AU practiced with some crowd noise this week...Utah 34-Zona17

by MussMan 11/15/2012 7:15:02 PM
There's one prediction from the Beehive State. Funny: I'm actually writing about that very factor for tomorrow's paper. Stay tuned.

by Ryan Finley 11/15/2012 7:15:23 PM
How good are the UA TE's - and if they can play, why not use them more if Denker starts?

by JimB 11/15/2012 7:15:25 PM
They're fine — as blockers. Don't expect Arizona's offense to change if Denker's under center Saturday.

by Ryan Finley 11/15/2012 7:15:42 PM
Do think they will pick on Richardson again this week

by Burt Cole 11/15/2012 7:15:44 PM
When Utah throws? It's possible. Arizona needs to be more concerned about stopping the Utes' run game first.

by Ryan Finley 11/15/2012 7:16:05 PM
Was KaDeem this good last year and just underutilized? Or has he simply blossomed this year?

by SamCat 11/15/2012 7:16:07 PM
He's blossomed this season. It's a combination of scheme — RichRod's system fits him perfectly — the graduation of Arizona's seniors and some added bulk/speed in the weight room. He's looked great lately.

by Ryan Finley 11/15/2012 7:16:48 PM
Have u tried Rita's Dip yet?

by Burt Cole 11/15/2012 7:17:05 PM
I have! Its pretty great. The recipe — and a story about it — are here: azstarnet.com

by Ryan Finley 11/15/2012 7:17:24 PM
Hay did u all forget about nick foles performance this weekend NOt too bad it was good to c him play.

by mike v 11/15/2012 7:17:31 PM