Arizona Football: 5 reasons Wildcats will beat Hawaii in Week 0

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TUCSON, AZ – NOVEMBER 24: Head coach Kevin Sumlin of the Arizona Wildcats calls out from the sideline during second half action of a college football game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Arizona Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) /

2. Kevin Sumlin had to play catch up in year one

Former head coach Rich Rodriguez was fired Jan. 3, 2018, amid sexual harassment claims by his former assistant. Kevin Sumlin wasn’t hired until Jan. 14 which is late in the process, especially for recruiting.

By that time, he’d already missed the December signing period, and had to pick up the recruiting pieces that Rodriguez’s firing left. So Sumlin had to take a mulligan during his first recruiting cycle, and had to hit the ground running because spring practice was only two months, or so, away.

There wasn’t much time to install his offense or defensive coordinator Marcel Yates’ defense. That showed a lot on the field last season. Rodriguez didn’t recruit much defensive depth, and that showed on the field as well.

He’s had an entire offseason, and he’s brought in some good recruits, and he’s had a year to work with his offense and install his system. We’ll get a look at how well his skill position players have taken to the offense (have I mentioned Khalil Tate is healthy?) against Hawaii.

The defense should look good as well. They will give up some yards against the Rainbow Warriors because they will throw it at least 40 times or more, but their pass rush should be much improved.

This year, even more than last, we should see the Sumlin’s mark on this team, and it will start against the Rainbow Warriors.

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