Khalil Tate
Tate is pretty much the entire reason that the Arizona Wildcats are relevant, now in a two-team race with USC for the Pac-12 South title. The Wildcats have gone 4-0 since Tate took over under center after starting out 2-2. Tate threw for 784 yards, 6 touchdowns and 3 interceptions, while rushing for an outrageous 926 yards and 8 touchdowns in those 4 games, and completely jumpstarting this offense.
The dual-threat quarterback opened his starting role on the road at Colorado. Tate shredded the Buffaloes defense for 327 rushing yards and 5 total touchdowns, a warning to Pac-12 schools in the future.
His lowest QBR in 4 games is a 93.8 against Cal two weeks ago. Just to put that game in perspective, he was 10-15 for 166 yards, 2 touchdowns and a pick. He rushed 17 times for 137 yards and a touchdown. He did just enough for the Wildcats in that game, winning 45-44 in double OT.
This man needs to be on Heisman watch, and his game this weekend can solidify him for that award. Also, it can solidify Arizona as Pac-12 South Champions.
On Tap
The Wildcats have their potential Pre-Championship this weekend @ #17 USC. The Trojans are on top of the Pac-12 South at the moment, but the winner of this game will most likely win the South.
This game is huge for Khalil Tate and the Wildcats, as cliché as it sounds. It is monumental for Arizona, and would only top this year off in the Pac-12 in a fashion that only the Pac-12 knows. Arizona has the chance to shatter the hearts of all USC fans, and potentially send USC into a spiral.
The Wildcats cannot be looking past this week, but thank God I can.
11/4 – @ #17 USC – 7:45 P.M. ESPN
11/11 – vs Oregon St.
11/18 – Oregon
11/25 – Arizona St.
After this weekend’s game, if all goes right, Arizona will be the Pac-12 South Champions, and battle either Stanford or Washington for the Conference Title.
How did we get here?
I, and a lot of others, have had no clue how to cover Pac-12 football this year, so we just roll with the punches and expect the unexpected. I expect Arizona to win this weekend in an effort to do just that. Khalil Tate will be the story again as he leads the rushing attack for over 200 yards and 2 rushing touchdowns. I will never predict a run-first Quarterbacks’ throwing stats because it only has the chance to humiliate myself.
USC has not looked like the force they were supposed to be, UCLA has underachieved, Utah and CU have been terrible in conference, and Arizona State has overachieved. If Khalil Tate starts the year behind center, we are looking at an undefeated U of A team, with a chance to pad the resume with a win on the road at USC. With 11 more points, this team is 8-0, looking like a legitimate contender for a CFP final four spot.
This year has officially taken my sanity, and I think this team is good enough to win the Pac-12 and play in a Rose Bowl with Khalil Tate as captain of the ship. Call me crazy, and watch it happen before your eyes.
ALL ABOARD THE TATE TRAIN
“I heard the hood ran a train on your tracks (choo choo)” -Ugly God
Tate = “the hood”
Pac-12 opposing teams = “your tracks”
Let’s hope this continues.
