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Arizona Football: Can Khalil Tate bounce back vs. Southern Utah?

By Matthew Workman

HOUSTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 8: Khalil Tate #14 of the Arizona Wildcats in the pocket agains the Houston Cougars in the second quarter at TDECU Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 8: Khalil Tate #14 of the Arizona Wildcats in the pocket agains the Houston Cougars in the second quarter at TDECU Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images) /
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After an absolutely abysmal start, Arizona football looks to get the Kevin Sumlin era on track vs. Southern Utah in Week 3.

Arizona has not gotten off to the best of starts in 2018. The Wildcats followed up their five-point loss to BYU by getting run off the field by Houston. No one thought that the Week 3 matchup with Southern Utah would be a must win but it certainly is.

The 0-2 Wildcays will host winless Southern Utah on Saturday. Southern Utah has losses from Northern Arizona and Oregon State. Neither of those teams are particularly good, so Arizona should easily take care of business on Saturday.

Arizona needs to get everything sorted out and quick with Pac-12 play starting next week for the Wildcats. Most people expected Kevin Sumlin to have a much easier time getting wins and that has not been the case. Arizona should have no problem with Southern Utah but weird things happen when it’s #Pac12AfterDark.

This matchup of winless teams takes place Saturday night and here’s everything that you need to know about the game.

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Date: Saturday, Sept. 15
Time: 11:00 p.m. ET
Location: Tucson, Ariz.
Venue: Arizona Stadium
TV: Pac-12 Network
Live Stream: Pac-12 Network or FuboTV

Keys to Victory

It is absolutely imperative that Sumlin find a way to utilize Khalil Tate‘s skills. He is a gifted athlete that can do amazing things with his feet. Keeping Tate bottled up in the pocket seems like a mismanagement of talent.

The talented quarterback had a good day passing against Houston going 24-of-45 for 341 yards. However, Tate has only thrown one touchdown and two interceptions on the season. Sumlin has to find a way to get him involved in the running game.

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Prediction

Southern Utah lost to a bad Oregon State team and it wasn’t even close. Arizona should have zero problem dispatching Southern Utah early. Tate will have a great game statistically with well over 300 yards passing and he finally will get going on the ground and have 100 yards rushing. Tate will finish the game accounting for five total touchdowns in an easy win.

Final Score: Arizona 55, Southern Utah 13

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