2023 Arizona Wildcats Football Preview
The Arizona Wildcats are coming off a 5-7 season in 2022, their best record since 2017. They return a number of key players, including quarterback Jayden de Laura, wide receiver Jacob Cowing, and running back Michael Wiley.
De Laura is a dual-threat quarterback who threw for 3,563 yards and 23 touchdowns in his first season with the Wildcats. Cowing is a dynamic wide receiver who caught 82 passes for 1,182 yards and 10 touchdowns. Wiley is a bruising running back who rushed for 744 yards and four touchdowns.
The Wildcats also have a solid defense, led by linebacker Jacob Manu. Manu had 103 tackles and 5.5 sacks in 2022.
The Wildcats' schedule is challenging in 2023. They will face off against Oregon, USC, and Utah, all of whom are ranked in the top 25. However, they also have some winnable games on their schedule, including matchups against Colorado, Arizona State, and Stanford.
I predict that the Wildcats will win 7 games in 2023. They have the talent to be a bowl team, but they will need to improve their defense if they want to make a serious run at a conference championship.
Key Players
- Jayden de Laura, QB (2022 stats: 3,563 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, 6 interceptions)
- Jacob Cowing, WR (2022 stats: 82 receptions, 1,182 yards, 10 touchdowns)
- Michael Wiley, RB (2022 stats: 744 rushing yards, 4 touchdowns)
- Jacob Manu, LB (2022 stats: 103 tackles, 5.5 sacks)
Team Statistics
- 2022 record: 5-7
- 2022 scoring offense: 33.1 points per game
- 2022 scoring defense: 36.5 points per game
- 2022 total offense: 422.2 yards per game
- 2022 total defense: 422.0 yards per game
Prediction
I predict that the Arizona Wildcats will win 7 games in 2023. They have the talent to be a bowl team, but they will need to improve their defense if they want to make a serious run at a conference championship.
Sept 9 Northern Arizona
Sept 9 at Mississippi State
Sept 16 UTEP
Sept 23 at Stanford
Sept 30 Washington
Oct 7 at USC
Oct 14 at Washington State
Oct 21 OPEN DATE
Oct 28 Oregon State
Nov 4 UCLA
Nov 11 at Colorado
Nov 18 Utah
Nov 25 at Arizona State