Toledo @ Arizona preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 3, 2010 ) Arizona 41, Toledo 2

The Rich Rodriguez era begins at Arizona with optimism and the Wildcats will have a difficult test in the season opener against high-scoring Toledo on Saturday. Rodriguez, 60-26 at West Virginia before struggles at Michigan, should keep things interesting at Arizona with his reputation as an offensive innovator. Quarterback Nick Foles is in the NFL, but redshirt senior Matt Scott gives Rodriguez the versatile signal-caller to run his multiple spread offense. The Wildcats have to improve on the other side of the ball and Toledo won’t make it easy. The Rockets won eight of their last nine in 2011, including a 42-41 victory over Air Force in the Military Bowl. Offensive coordinator Matt Campbell takes over as coach for a team that averaged 42.2 points and returns a strong duo of quarterbacks in Terrance Owens and Austin Dantin.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPNU. LINE: Arizona -10

TOLEDO (2011: 9-4, 7-1 MAC): Campbell, 32, is the youngest coach in FBS. He led the Rockets in the Military Bowl after Tim Beckman left for the Illinois job, and retained several from the staff. Owens threw for 2,022 yards and Dantin 1,404 in 2011, while combining for 33 touchdown passes and only seven interceptions. The bad news is they won’t have 1,000-yard receiver Eric Page, who left for the NFL. David Fluellen, third on the team with 493 yards last season, should carry the load at running back. The return of safety Mark Singer and defensive end T.J. Fatinikun from injuries can help the defense.

ARIZONA (2011: 4-8, 2-7 Pac-12): Scott played well in 2010, going 2-0 in his starts while accumulating 688 yards of total offense, and was named the team’s co-offensive MVP. Scott will have the comfort of five returning starters on the offensive line and talented options such as running back Ka’Deem Carey and wide receiver Dan Buckner. Rodriguez brought in former West Virginia defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel to try to improve a defense that allowed almost 300 yards through the air per contest. The return of linebacker Jake Fischer from a knee injury should help with the new 3-3-5 system.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Wildcats are 13-0 in season openers at home since 1988, while Toledo is 0-5 against Pac-12 schools – 0-3 versus Arizona.

2. Owens, who had not pitched in several years, was selected in the 40th round and signed by the San Diego Padres.

3. Arizona’s Kyle Dugandzic led the Pac-12 in punting last season (46.0).

PREDICTION: Arizona 27-20