RSSChats & Other Live Events

Q&A with Ryan Finley transcript: Arizona Wildcats vs. Oregon State Beavers

Ryan Finley chatted live with fans today about Arizona Wildcats football. The Wildcats are aiming to rebound, the Beavers are unbeaten, and the copper helmets will debut.

Hi everybody. Welcome to our latest in a series of weekly chats. This week, the Arizona Wildcats (3-1 overall, 0-1 Pac-12) take on 18th-ranked Oregon State at Arizona Stadium. Should be an interesting battle of styles and personnel. Let's get started!

by Ryan Finley 9/27/2012 6:59:48 PM
Does the read option run game work equally well in all parts of the field? Do we need more of a quick, power run game (two TEs, Power I, etc.) at he goal line?

by Paul P. 9/27/2012 6:59:52 PM
The spread — whether its the Air Raid-derived version that Arizona ran in past years — or the read-option/lead-option attack that Rich Rodriguez brought to Tucson this year — tends to struggle more than most schemes inside the red zone. Much of it has to do with personnel, and the fact that an under-center, power-run game typically works best inside the, say, 5 yard line. It's a good news-bad news situation for the Wildcats: They have a bigger, more powerful back in Taimi Tutogi, but they're so thin on the defensive line that Tutogi's playing more defense than offense. Expect a few wrinkles this week; but until Arizona can establish more of a power-run game, some of the red zone issues are going to persist.

by Ryan Finley 9/27/2012 7:02:24 PM
Ryan: Should the fact that Tom Osborne is stepping down at Nebraska and they are looking for a top-notch AD to replace him scare the pants off all of us Greg Byrne fans?

by Henry Koffler 9/27/2012 7:02:29 PM
No. It's good to have an AD who's mentioned when high-profile, national-level jobs open. That said, I don't see Byrne going to Lincoln: His father, Bill, was the AD there for 10 years. My guess is Byrne enjoys forging his own path. But we'll see.

by Ryan Finley 9/27/2012 7:03:33 PM
So Ryan.. make us feel good about "pooch kicks", Rich Rod and something better than a 4 and 8 season.

by Profcje 9/27/2012 7:03:42 PM
Pooch kicks and quick-kicks don't need to be pretty to work — remember Matt Scott's excellent punt in Week 1? (That's probably the nicest thing I can say about those). Rodriguez has Arizona ahead of schedule at 3-1; they'll finish better than 4-8. If Arizona can make a bowl game, it's a successful season.

by Ryan Finley 9/27/2012 7:04:43 PM
Ryan, are you cherry picking questions here?

by Profcje 9/27/2012 7:04:47 PM
Nope! So many good ones, it's hard to pick my faves.

by Ryan Finley 9/27/2012 7:04:58 PM
Sean Mannion limited in practice this week, Matt Scott had the hip injury...which team will be in worse shape come Saturday because of QB injuries?

by Ronnie Mund stops the clock 9/27/2012 7:05:01 PM
All things being equal, RM, I think Arizona needs a healthy Scott more than OSU needs a healthy Mannion. The running game is such a critical part of Arizona's offense that the Wildcats can't afford a gimpy QB. It certainly limited them a week ago, especially in the end zone.

by Ryan Finley 9/27/2012 7:05:59 PM
And make us feel good about Matt Scott's hip. Is he OK?

by Henry Koffler 9/27/2012 7:06:00 PM
Scott showed me the bruise Monday, said he was OK. From what I've seen after practices, he's moving around OK. My guess is he plays.

by Ryan Finley 9/27/2012 7:06:45 PM
Mannion full go in practice, more precautionary. Wondering about how UA's front 3 will hold up vs. a fairly good sized OSU line/run game.

by FriendlyBeav 9/27/2012 7:06:50 PM
Game will come down to how well Arizona can run against a Beavers' defensive front that's 2nd in the nation against the rush, and whether the Wildcats can deal with OSU's constant, pro-style formationing. Wrote at length about it Wednesday: Check it out: azstarnet.com

by Ryan Finley 9/27/2012 7:08:49 PM
Heard a lot about Scott being high with a lot of his throws, is this by design since he has big targets outside in Bucker/Hill? Dangerous but worth the gamble?

by FriendlyBeav 9/27/2012 7:08:57 PM
Scott was all over the place with his throws a week ago — not just high. So far, he's been fairly accurate. I think Arizona should throw more fades/jump balls to Buckner and Hill; the tall receivers have been the Wildcats' best receiving options so far this season.

by Ryan Finley 9/27/2012 7:09:38 PM
your take on Matt Scott's confidence? IMO, Matt's confidence "seemed" different in Monday's presser. He used terms/words like "I hesitated", it was tough, "we'll see" etc.

by Wildcat_Country 9/27/2012 7:09:40 PM
Great question. The last time Scott struggled this badly on the road, at Iowa in 2009, he lost his job. While there's no danger of that happening this week, Scott must play sharper — and with better confidence — for the Wildcats to have a chance. The offense is too reliant on the quarterback for him to be anything but ready to go.

by Ryan Finley 9/27/2012 7:11:17 PM
Foles and Tuitama had bad games too....

by JohnV8r 9/27/2012 7:11:19 PM
They did. But Scott's numbers Saturday were badd.

by Ryan Finley 9/27/2012 7:11:34 PM
Any word on implementing the run game this week .. Spreading the wealth around

by Burt Cole 9/27/2012 7:11:41 PM
Rodriguez has been emphasizing the run in practice, but it's hard to say what — if anything - they'll do. I liked the two-back look with Carey and Jenkins a week ago; next, I'd like to see Arizona incorporate its bigger receivers/tight ends a little more. Could be a nice wrinkle.

by Ryan Finley 9/27/2012 7:12:18 PM
Will Tucson show up and support the Cats Saturday?

by azwake17 9/27/2012 7:12:21 PM
Good question. I'd like to think so: They've played fairly well so far this season, and Oregon has made far better teams look worse.

by Ryan Finley 9/27/2012 7:12:41 PM
Ryan help me understand whether my loyalty to my alma mater – Arizona – is tainting my analysis.
OSU comes to Arizona Stadium Saturday night ranked #18 in the country, boasting a 2-0 record after being picked to finish 11th in the conference by the Pac-12 media. The Beavs #18 ranking comes after beating Wisconsin and UCLA in a rare situation where OSU actually had TWO WEEKS TO PREPARE FOR EACH GAME.

Wisconsin’s 3-1 record includes games in which the Badgers struggled against Northern Iowa and Utah State. They lost to Oregon State and only beat UTEP by 11. Wisconsin is 113th in passing, 88th in rushing, and 102nd in points scored. Oregon State scored the fewest points against Wisconsin this season – 10 points.

UCLA’s 3-1 record includes a win at Rice that was still a game in the 3rd quarter, a win against a Nebraska team that has only beaten Southern Miss, Arkansas State, and Idaho State, and win against 0-3 Houston.
ESPN bloggers Ted Miller and Kevin Gemmel both picked OSU to win at Arizona this week. Am I hopelessly biased or is the reality about OSU more likely that their schedule and the level of competition has set up in their favor to date. It sure feels to me like it takes a lot of KoolAid to get from being picked to finish 11th in the Pac-12 to #18 in the country and replacing UCLA the sudden media darling of Pac-12.

by JohnV8r 9/27/2012 7:12:48 PM
Rankings and media attention are all hype — just like they were when Arizona played at Oregon at week ago. IMHO? Oregon State is a bad matchup for the Wildcats because of the way they play and the schemes they run, not their rankings. Mike Riley is as good of an in-game coach as there is in college football. That should be the source of your concern.

by Ryan Finley 9/27/2012 7:13:58 PM
What is it about Oregon State that gives Arizona fits? They have only beaten them twice since 1999. Are they wearing Kroptonite uniforms or something?

by William H. Bloss (OSU's 1st... 9/27/2012 7:14:01 PM
See below comment re: Riley. His schemes, the way he uses personnel, etc., always gave the Beavers an edge against Mike Stoops-coached Arizona teams. It's the same reason the Wildcats always struggled against Harbaugh and Stanford, and Carroll's USC teams. Pro-style offenses always drove the Wildcats nuts.

by Ryan Finley 9/27/2012 7:15:24 PM
seriously, who do you see us "favored over" before Colorado?

by Profcje 9/27/2012 7:15:28 PM
WAY too soon to tell. As of today, I think Arizona's firmly in the middle of the league, along with Arizona State, Utah, UCLA, Washington, Oregon State and Cal. I think we can all agree that Oregon, Stanford and USC are a cut above, and that Wazzu and Colorado are bringing up the bottom. No?

by Ryan Finley 9/27/2012 7:16:31 PM
With the additions on the defensive side, will the Cats be able to put enough pressure on the Beavers QB so he doesn't sling it all over the field?

by James 9/27/2012 7:16:41 PM
Good question. Coaches like the little bit of depth that they're developing on the D-line, and the linebackers are better than most would have guessed at the start of the season. Don't let Mannion's passing yards against UCLA fool you, however: The Beavers are a balanced, run-and-play-action team: Arizona needs to slow that part of their game down to win.

by Ryan Finley 9/27/2012 7:17:40 PM
Is it true that Arizona Athletic Director Greg Byrne is considering bringing back the live wildcat mascot Rufus Arizona?

by John Button Salmon 9/27/2012 7:17:49 PM
Ha! Doubt it! But, then again, I never thought I'd see an Arizona team wearing copper helmets.

by Ryan Finley 9/27/2012 7:18:32 PM
What happened to our rushing attack last week? Does the credit go to the Ducks or are there issues/injuries on the line?

by Vince 9/27/2012 7:18:39 PM
Credit the Ducks, who were a lot faster/more physical than I (or anybody, really) though they'd be. The inside running game is going to be a struggle this week and next, because of OSU and Stanford's size. I wouldn't be surprised to see more sweeps, reversres to the outside.

by Ryan Finley 9/27/2012 7:19:47 PM
What's the injury report on the Offensive Line? How are they holding up after the tough Oregon game?

by Not the Robert Anea 9/27/2012 7:19:51 PM
We'll get the official injury report today. I haven't seen/heard of anything major.

by Ryan Finley 9/27/2012 7:20:18 PM
Speaking of copper helmets...is there any change to the unis? Cause copper mixed with navy, red and white sounds awful. No offense. :)

by FriendlyBeav 9/27/2012 7:20:23 PM
None taken! (I think the whole idea's kinda silly). Arizona will wear its usual home uniforms. The seniors, who pick the weekly gear, sound like they want to wear navy tops and navy pants.

by Ryan Finley 9/27/2012 7:21:02 PM
Will UA do as much zone read QB runs this weekend as they did preseason? Because of Scott's hip they essentially abandoned 2nd half of Oregon. Or, will they wrinkle in other run options to avoid future QB injury?

by Wildcat_Country 9/27/2012 7:21:13 PM
Probably a little bit of both. If Scott's healthy (and I think he is), he'll continue to run; the offense is too reliant on a QB run game to do anything else. But, like I said earlier this chat, I wouldn't be surprised to see different personnel packages and more outside runs/sweeps against a tough Beavers front.

by Ryan Finley 9/27/2012 7:22:18 PM
The cannon was the best Arizona football game tradition...

by JohnV8r 9/27/2012 7:22:23 PM
Do you think the DL will be able to get pressure to Mannion

by Burt Cole 9/27/2012 7:22:28 PM