Family Weekend hit the UA campus this weekend just as the Wildcat football team put on its worst showing of the 2016-17 season, by far. If Arizona’s chances for a fifth-straight bowl game were on life support heading into this game, the USC Trojans pulled the plug.
While there is still a chance for Arizona to make a bowl game, it would be unwise to believe this team has a chance to string together four more wins. On the bright side, football season is past the halfway point, so there is a silver lining from today’s freak show of a game.
After Saturday’s loss to the Trojans, Arizona’s record now sits at 2-5 (0-4 Pac-12 Conference) and it still has Stanford, an overachieving Colorado team and ASU on the horizon. However, it could be worse. Had Grambling State’s DeVante Kincade not gotten hurt against Arizona, the WIldcats would be 1-6 on the year.
Kincade’s injury is the only break this team has received in a season of bad breaks.
Arizona needs to finish 4-1 to become bowl eligible, but how would the Wildcats get those wins? The offense has been reduced to just quarterback keepers and praying for defensive flags. Arizona’s defense is not very effective unless it is playing an FCS backup quarterback, so there’s that.
RELATED: Wildcats can’t keep pace with Trojans on a blistering day in Arizona Stadium
The Wildcats’ defense has forced nine turnovers this season, six of which came against Grambling State.
Khalil Tate getting the start at quarterback Saturday looked like it could jump-start Arizona’s offense, but that fell flat. Through the first half, Tate was 1-for-7 with four passing yards and an interception in what was a nightmarish couple of quarters. USC quarterback Sam Darnold, in comparison, had four touchdowns in the the first half and shredded Arizona’s defense with ease.
Tate had the opportunity to make it a quarterback controversy, but instead got benched for a backup tight end in Matt Morin.
If you are reading this, you have a higher passer rating than Tate’s -9.5 pic.twitter.com/7RamuVHMzh
— Ivan iii (@Ivan14bro) October 15, 2016
Arizona has a bye next week to rest and recover for Stanford, but does it even matter? The Wildcats are the overwhelming underdogs in every game left this season and that includes perennial basement dweller Oregon State.
At least basketball season is nearing in Tucson, so Arizona fans can take their minds off of the gridiron.
Arizona football has three more home games this year, but Wildcat fans could spend that time in more effective ways. Whether it is catching up on sleep, doing homework or working out, there are much more productive ways to spend a Saturday. If the football team has checked out, why should you waste your valuable time supporting it?
Follow Ivan Leonard on Twitter.
