Arizona at San Diego State 9/3/22 - College Football Picks & Predictions

The Arizona Wildcats were one of the worst teams in the nation in 2021 after finishing the year 1-11 overall following a 23 point blowout loss in the final game of the season. The Wildcats come into the 2022 season with high expectations after acquiring the PAC 12 offensive freshman of the year Jayden de Laura to feel a huge hole at the quarterback position. De Aluara Woolly immediately step in as the starting quarterback surrounded by a strong group of receivers. Dorian Singer Is expected to continue to make positive strides this season, while transfer Jacob Cowing and highly touted freshman Tetairoa McMillan will step into immediate roles in the Arizona offense.

Defensively Arizona struggled immensely last season after allowing opponents to accumulate more than 370 yards per game. The Wildcats will be under a new defensive coordinator this year in Johnny Nansen who will look to turn the Arizona defense around. Arizona will rely solely on a good core group of defensive backs to lead them in 2022. Both cornerbacks and both safeties for Arizona have more than 60 combine starts in college in their career.

The San Diego State Aztecs come into the 2022 season looking to repeat their success from a year ago after finishing 12-2 overall. San Diego State is a run first offense that will chew up the yards all season. SDSU welcomes transfer Braxton Burmeister this year who will assume the role of starting quarterback.

Burmeister will find success early as senior Jesse Matthews will again be the top target for the Aztecs offense. The ground game will still be the focus of the San Diego State offense as their new quarterback will become a threat to run the ball, while San Diego State will use a 2 back set this year as well.

San Diego State finished in the top 15 defensively last season after holding opponents to under 330 yards and 20 points per game. San Diego State has one of the best groups of linebackers in the nation led by Caden McDonald and the addition of his brother from the transfer portal will make San Diego State even better.