Northern Arizona @ Arizona preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 19, 2015 ) Northern Arizona 13, Arizona 77

Nick Wilson, J.J. Taylor and Zach Green each had 100-yard rushing performances for Arizona last season, and the Wildcats will be counting on the trio to contribute when they open the season against visiting Northern Arizona on Saturday. Wilson was a 1,300-yard rusher as a freshman three years ago, but his numbers dropped off to 725 as a sophomore and 320 last season as injuries continued to mount.

Anu Solomon moved on to Baylor as a graduate transfer, leaving the quarterback competition at Arizona down to Brandon Dawkins and Khalil Tate. Dawkins filled in for the injured Solomon in each of the past two seasons, throwing for 1,348 yards and eight touchdowns in 2016, while also running for a team-leading 944 yards and 10 touchdowns. Tate, a sophomore, brings similar duel-purpose skills and will likely see action in this game as well. Northern Arizona also opened camp with a quarterback battle, but Case Cookus appears to have beat out Hunter Correll and will look to prove himself early after missing the final seven games last season with a broken collarbone.

TV: 11 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network. LINE: OFF.

ABOUT NORTHERN ARIZONA (2016: 5-6): The Lumberjacks saw a big chunk of their team graduate or move on to other schools, but they return some talented players, namely the three who were named to the preseason all-Big Sky Conference team; wide receiver Emmanuel Butler, offensive lineman Tyler Shank and kicker Griffin Roehler. Butler is closing in on the school record for receiving yards and touchdowns after posting 69 receptions for 1,003 yards and nine touchdowns last season. Cookus figures to look his way early and often against the Wildcats, who ranked second-to-last in the Pac-12 in pass defense last season, but return most of their main players.

ABOUT ARIZONA (2016: 3-9): Tate showed what he could contribute when thrown into the mix against UCLA last season, passing for 243 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for 237 yards in the 45-24 loss, the second of eight straight defeats. Defensively is where the most questions need to be answered, as the top five tacklers for Arizona last season have departed the program. At least three former walk-ons are expected to get significant playing time up front and Arizona might need to rely on a couple of true freshmen at middle linebacker.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Wildcats have won 16 consecutive home openers at Arizona Stadium.

2. Arizona returning offensive linemen have combined for 89 career starts.

3. Northern Arizona was picked to finish third in the Big Sky by both the league coaches and media.

PREDICTION: Arizona 42, Northern Arizona 13