Know Your Foe: Q&A With Arizona Desert Swarm

uofafanatic: While I have been very excited about Matt Scott's ability, Nick Foles would match up better if he is really 100%. He is just so incredibly accurate. Expect to see Scott get at least one series, and possibly more. That part of the game is kind of tough to predict. OC Seth Littrell seems very high on Scott, but if the game is tight, I can see Stoops keeping Foles in all game. Also, watch out for a couple of plays where Scott may line up at WR. He did it, unsuccessfully, against Washington and RB Nic Grigsby took the snap. With Foles taking the snap and Scott at WR, that play could be deadly.

Smooty: Foles matches up better, in that I think it will be a close game and Foles has proven to be steady under pressure. Also, Stanford's defense has been prone to give up big chunks through the air (Oregon, USC, and WSU games), and Foles' clear strength over Scott is his passing ability. With that said, a little bit of rust is expected from Foles, and Scott has looked great running the ball in Foles' absence. I expect Foles to start, but Scott to see 10-15 snaps during the game to force the Cardinal defense to defend a completely different look.

Smooty: The linebackers as a unit, particularly Paul Vassallo. The LBs need to keep the Stanford rushing attack from going wild, and prevent large gains on first down. Long 2nd and 3rd downs will be an advantage for Arizona's defense, and it's two defensive ends, and their ability to rush the passer.

uofafanatic: Several factors. Most notably, Trevin Wade took a helmet to his thigh, and played hurt for most of the game. But Katz picked apart the zone, and worked some magic. He threw several passes while being tackled that were somehow completed. But no whining here. Katz had a terrific game, largely without his best receiver.

Smooty: Trevin Wade was playing while he was clearly hurt. The Beavers attacked Arizona's zone all game long, and were able to take advantage of some blown coverages. Katz looked pretty good that afternoon. Several passes were released just as he was being hit, and his receivers were able to make big plays.

uofafanatic: No. That is not to say that Arizona won't be able to establish the run, just that they won't need to. Nick Foles is so accurate that Arizona can just complete short passes to 'substitute' for a running game if need be. I suspect, however, that Keola Antolin will have a good day against Stanford. The Arizona coaching staff saw the benefits of establishing a running game the past two weeks, and will likely be eager to do so against the Cardinal.

Smooty: When the running game gets going, Arizona's offense is extremely hard to stop. With that said, it doesn't have to get going. With the short passing and screen game, and (when he plays) Matt Scott's ability to scramble, the offense is usually able to move the ball down the field. The key to me is Arizona succeeding in getting the ball to Antolin and Grigsby in space, whether that be on the ground, or through the air.