Predicting the Final Score of Arizona vs. Washington State

The 15th-ranked Arizona Wildcats are reeling after a last-second loss to the USC Trojans knocked them back to reality after their dramatic victory over the then 2nd-ranked Oregon Ducks. The loss dropped them from first place in the Pac-12 South Division into a tie with three other one-loss teams. They seem to have a favorable matchup against the 2-5 Washington State Cougars, but this game could be closer than the records would indicate, especially if the Wildcats haven’t regained their focus.

These two teams feature the two most prolific offenses in the Pac-12, with the Wildcats averaging 557 yards per game with the Cougars close on their heels at 534.7 yards per contest. Freshman quarterback Anu Solomon has been brilliant so far this season, ranking ninth in the FBS with 2,136 passing yards to go along with 15 touchdowns and only four interceptions. He ranks second in the Pac-12 in total yards from scrimmage per game with 382.7 and threw for 395 yards on 72 attempts against USC in his last game.

On the other side of the field, however, is the top passer in the FBS in nearly every statistical category in Connor Halliday. He leads the nation in passing yards at 3,344, with his next closest competitor 695 yards behind him. Sure, he has thrown the ball 101 more times than anyone else, but he is still completing 66.7 percent of his passes, which is good for 16th in the FBS. He leads the nation with 28 touchdown passes to only eight interceptions, and features three different receivers who have each caught 50 passes and seven touchdowns.

The Wildcats lost to the Cougars 24-17 last season, and the sting of that defeat will drive them in this game. The major concern for the Wildcats is going to be the running game, if they can find anyone healthy enough to run the ball. Leading rusher Nick Wilson missed the USC game with an ankle injury and is questionable to return against the Cougars. He is averaging 114.8 yards per game on the ground and could be the x-factor the Wildcats need if he can suit up and play, as the Wildcats are averaging 154.8 more rushing yards per contest than the Cougars. If he can’t go, the Wildcats would normally turn to Terris Jones-Grigsby, but he left the USC game after taking a big hit from Leonard Williams and is questionable as well.

Both teams feature defenses that rank in the bottom half of the conference in most defensive categories, so this game has the potential to be a high-scoring affair, especially given the pedigree of the quarterbacks involved. The key to the game, therefore, is likely going to be centered around the turnover battle. Washington State ranks dead last in the conference in takeaway margin and 115th in the FBS at -7, while Arizona is 7th in the Pac-12 at +2. This one or two turnover difference is going to lead to more offensive opportunities for Solomon and the Wildcats’ offense, and possibly some short fields for him to work with. As a result, I see the Wildcats winning a close, but high-scoring affair.

Prediction: Arizona Wildcats 41, Washington State Cougars 35

Phillip Jacques is a Pac-12 Football writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.