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October 18 Sheet

Arizona (+2) at Stanford - 2:00pm Pacific
John Mackovic teams have a history of showing big improvement in their second year. The Wildcats have been decimated by injuries this year but still have managed a respectable 3-3 record. All three losses were to quality opponents (at Wisconsin, at Washington, vs Oregon). Following this game, Arizona plays three of their final five games at home. If they are to have any chance at a winning season and becoming bowl eligible this is a must win game for them.

Arizona lost star RB Clarence Farmer to injury two weeks back but still have a very potent offense. QB Jason Johnson is as steady as they come and is coming off his best game of the season last week at Washington. Everyone talks about WR Bobby Wade (1st in conference in receptions, receiving yards, and yards per catch), but sidekick Andrae Thurman is emerging to be a star in his own right (ranks 7th in conference in receiving). These two are very difficult to contain.

Do not have much to say about the Arizona defense, except that they are better than Stanford's. The Cardinal defense only returned 2 starters from last year and has given up 38.4 points per game. Washington State could have put up 50+ on them last week easily if they tried. Their only other Pac-10 opponent Arizona State racked up 65 points. Last week, WSU did not come out with much emotion but were still able to race to a 23-0 half-time lead and go on cruise control from there.

After seeing what Ty Willingham is doing with Notre Dame, it is clear to see how good of a coach he is and how much he is being missed at Stanford. The Cardinal just cannot seem to do anything right this year. They are last in the conference in turnover ratio (-5) and 7th in penalty yards per game (75.4). The offense has struggled from day one. Starting QB Chris Lewis is completing just 48.2% of his passes with 9 interceptions and only 4 TD's. They just have not adapted well at all to the new coaching schemes. The Cardinal have a questionable fan base to begin with but right now there is no one coming to these games. With Cal hosting UCLA & the Giants opening the World Series the same day, this will be the coldest ticket in town.

Wildcats are 19-6 ATS as an away dog the last 7+ years and are 4-2 ATS as an away dog under Mackovic. I do not expect Stanford to win another game all season. Pivotal game for Wildcats, they go to 4-3 with a win, or 3-4 with a loss. Team had near miss last week at Washington and should handle Stanford comfortably.

Arizona  1 UNIT

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