Texas-San Antonio @ Arizona preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 4, 2014 ) Arizona 26, Texas-San Antonio 23

Arizona received a major scare from UTSA last season at the Alamodome, but things figure to be much different when the teams meet Thursday in Tucson. While No. 22 Arizona has many key players back to defend its Pac-12 South title, UTSA faces a rebuilding year with just six returning starters.

Thursday’s contest is the third in a three-year series, which began with Arizona’s 38-13 victory in 2013 and continued when the Wildcats escaped with a 26-23 win last season. The Wildcats were picked to finish fourth in the South Division but could exceed expectations with continued growth from quarterback Anu Solomon, who rewrote the school’s freshman passing records last season. The Arizona defense is led by junior linebacker Scooby Wright, who had 14 sacks last year and was named the Pac-12’s top defensive player. Wright probably won’t need a monster game against UTSA, whose inexperienced offense could struggle behind redshirt freshman Blake Bogenschutz.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Networks. LINE: Arizona -31.5

ABOUT UTSA (2014: 4-8, 3-5 C-USA): With a non-conference slate that includes Arizona, Kansas State, Oklahoma State and Colorado State, the Roadrunners could easily be seeking their first win when they open C-USA play at UTEP on Oct. 3. Coach Larry Coker’s offense will rely heavily on junior running back Jarveon Williams, who averaged 4.9 yards on 66 carries last season. For the Roadrunners to pull the upset and win their fifth straight season opener, they’ll need a defense led by linebacker Drew Douglas and cornerback Bennett Okotcha to create turnovers and stop the Wildcats in the red zone.

ABOUT ARIZONA (2014: 10-4, 7-2 Pac-12): The Wildcats were 6-1 in games decided by a touchdown or less last season and will need some of that same luck to make another run at the Pac-12 title. They certainly have enough weapons to contend again, starting with Wright on defense and plenty of depth on offense, where running back Nick Wilson is looking to build on a stellar freshman campaign (1,375 rushing yards and 16 TDs). Arizona’s biggest question marks are on the offensive line and the secondary, where the Wildcats lost four starting defensive backs from last season.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Arizona has won seven consecutive season openers and 13 of the last 15.

2. UTSA has three seniors on its roster that played during the program’s inaugural season in 2011.

3. Wilson rushed 30 times for 174 yards and a touchdown in last season’s win over UTSA.

PREDICTION: Arizona 44, UTSA 15