TUCSON, Ariz. — Arizona runs an up-tempo spread offense that has been among the national leaders since Rich Rodriguez became coach.
Washington State has had similar success with its spread offense under coach Mike Leach. The difference is how the two teams get to where they want to go.
“They spread you out to run it and we spread you out to throw out,” Leach said.
However they do it, expect an offensive show in the desert on Saturday.
Arizona (5-2, 2-2) enters the game first in the Pac-12 and ninth nationally with 41.7 points per game, well ahead of pace to break the school record for a season of 38.5 points per game set in 1954. The Wildcats are eighth nationally in total offense, averaging 542.4 yards per game, and sixth in rushing yards with 297.4 yards per game.
Washington State is first in the Pac-12 and fourth nationally with 398.5 yards passing per game and has attempted 332 passes, second-most to Texas Tech’s 346. Cougars quarterback Luke Falk is fifth nationally with 2,371 yards and has thrown for 21 touchdowns with four interceptions.
Washington State also has unpredictability on its side; Leach has built a bit of a mad scientist reputation, going back to his days at Texas Tech.
“Mike will do anything from anywhere,” Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez said. “You have to be aware of that, because they’ll attack.”
But it’s not just the prolific nature of the offenses that should set up an offensive showcase.
Neither team has been particularly good on defense.
Arizona State is 10th in the Pac-12 in total defense and gave up 111 points in consecutive losses to UCLA and Stanford. Washington State is ninth in total defense and allows 29 points per game.
In other words, looking down even for a second could lead to missing something as these offenses race from one end zone to the other.
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