(Written by kencraw)

Are you ready for a beat-down?

I think there’s no other way to say this than that. I had more concerns about both Colorado State and Louisiana Tech than I do about Arizona. I feel that way because I know that the team isn’t taking Arizona that lightly after last year’s debacle. Let’s look at some of the factors that point to a Cal beat-down victory:

• Arizona is only averaging 26.3 points per game, and only 17 points per game if you take out their hollow victory over I-AA Northern Arizona.
• Their loses are to 1-2 BYU and 2-1 New Mexico. Said another way, between Arizona and their opponents, the only I-A victory outside of the 3 is New Mexico over New Mexico State
• Their defense gave up 24 points to Northern Arizona.
• Their offense is only rushing for 75.7 yards per game.

I could go on and on.

This is one horrible team. I mean, just look at my head to head stats page. The supposed strength of their team has turned out to be their weakness, if that’s at all possible. Their new spread offense isn’t working, and they’re throwing the ball so much it’ll be easy for the Bears to sit back in zone coverage and keep them under control all day. Add in that my gut says that the Cal offense will hit its stride this week and I’m thinking 50 points may be a conservative number, not so much because they’ll deserve that many points, but because they’ll be a lot of 3 and outs on the other side of the ball. Finally add in that Arizona is clearly demoralized after starting the season with mildly high expectations and all Cal has to do is put up a couple of easy scores early and this game is over.

Nope, no repeat this year. Arizona is going down and going down hard.

Cal 45, Arizona 10 (revised up from my Pick’Em pick of 24-10 now that it’s clear the Arizona defense isn’t going to measure up)