summer school continues with Troy Hutchison of goazcats part of the rivals network
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Summer School Behind Enemy Lines: Arizona
Ryan Reynolds here for I guess my hundreds mint commercial. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. No, no, no. Honestly, when I started this, I thought I'd only have to do like four of these. I mean, it's unlimited to premium wireless for $15. How are there still people paying two or three times that much? I'm sorry, I shouldn't be victim blaming here. Give it a try at midmobile.com/save, or whatever you're ready. This episode is brought to you by Experian. Are you paying for subscriptions you don't use, but can't find the timer energy to cancel them? Experian could cancel unwanted subscriptions for you, saving you an average of $270 per year, and plenty of time. Download the Experian app. Results will vary. Not all subscriptions are eligible. Savings are not guaranteed. Paid membership with connected payment account required. Jewelry isn't a gift you give just once. It's a way to remind your loved one of a beautiful moment every time they see it. Blue Nile can help you find the gift that says how you feel and says it beautifully. With expert guidance and a wide assortment of jewelry of the highest quality at the best price. Go to Blue Nile dot com and experience the convenience of shopping Blue Nile, the original online jeweler since 1999. That's Blue Nile dot com to find the perfect jewelry gift for any occasion. Blue Nile dot com. [MUSIC PLAYING] It's the moment of the evening. Every acoustic fan enjoys. Little down and board a whiskey. Back open a liqueur. Please put your hands together and make a little noise for your favorite wildcatters, the handsome Bosco boys. Ooh, Bosco's boys. Come on, boys. Boom, the boys are back and we're going to keep the summer school behind enemy line series going today with our new conference mates. Even though this is not even a conference game. And fellow Wildcats, the Arizona Wildcats, we have Troy Hutchinson from goazcats.com part of the rivals network covering Arizona. First off, Troy, welcome to the show. I hope you're, you know, I hope you're staying cool. I can't imagine what it feels like in Arizona right now with here in Kansas. It's 94th humanity. I can't imagine, you know, how things are going for you. But welcome to the show and welcome to the big 12. Yeah, thank you for having me. And, you know, right now it's that monsoon season time. So it's 103 out with about 40, 50% humidity. And I have a swamp puller. So if you know anything about swamp pullers this time of year, they don't work. They're horrible creation. Well, I hope you survive. I hope I hope you make it through that this summer heat so you can cover some football before before we get into it at all. What exactly are the thoughts, you know, out in Arizona of this game, sticking around as a non conference game, because I remember when the rumors started going, we had Arizona and Colorado on the series. I wanted to keep it, you know, I have no problem. And also it is the only non in state rivalry game that will be played all four years of the first four years of the new big 12 granted the first two as non conference game. So what was the reaction when the news came out that, hey, this is going to stay as an unorthodox quote unquote non conference game. I think in large part, the fan base at Arizona is kind of thrilled that it is a non conference game because it's a good measuring stick for Arizona in the big 12 Kansas State being one of the main teams last season. And you're able to get that, you know, that game in and the result, yes, you know, you want to win the game, but it won't affect your big 12 record. And so it kind of gives you that measuring stick. For how the big 12 season might shape up and really at the end of the day, it could be the top two teams in the big 12 where this game is a non conference game. I know originally, when Dave he was the athletic director at Arizona before being let go. He tried everything in his power to get that changed into a conference game and somehow reworked that because Arizona wanted to work in a Southern California game kind of Northern California ties, but they were unable to do so but I think both sides are probably excited that you have that measuring sick before the big 12 season starts. And it will be the inaugural Fox College football Friday game on big Fox so probably going to be a pretty high viewership game as well. This episode is brought to you by our good friends at NFL Sunday ticket on YouTube TV. I'm sure by now you've all got back into your Sunday routines, but they could be even better with NFL Sunday ticket and YouTube TV. You get the most live NFL games all in one place every game every Sunday and you can even watch up to four different games at once with multi view, one of my favorite inventions of this decade. It's exactly what you need to catch all the action. Make your Sundays more magical and also YouTube TV is great. I got it this year. It's awesome. Now at YouTube.com/BS device and content restrictions apply local national games on YouTube TV and if I'll Sunday ticket for out of market games excludes digital only games. Before we start talking about 2024 I want to wind back the clock a little bit what was your perspective or Arizona fans reaction to them joining the big 12, you know, the emotions was seeing the pack fall coming in. All sorts of stuff from all the different schools. So where did the U of A faithful really fall on the spectrum of excitement of coming to the big 12. You know I'll be honest I think it's a lot of somberness and a little bit of sadness that the pack 12 is gone. You're talking about Arizona being in there since 1978. Most Arizona fans that are under that 58 mark know nothing but the pack 12 pack 10. You're used to playing USC UCLA Washington Oregon and all those schools. And there's a lot of great rivalries, especially in basketball and in softball that are kind of thrown by the wayside and that being the main one of Arizona UCLA. You're talking about one of the top five rivalries in college basketball, the top rivalry in college softball. And they've got to somehow create that match up again I know Arizona work towards getting UCLA during the non conference and a neutral site series, but it's never going to be the same and I think that hurts Arizona fans but at the end of the day there is excitement about the big 12. Arizona did everything in its power to get the pack 12 an opportunity to get stuff together. I know for a fact San Diego State was minutes away from joining the conference, but ultimately Oregon Washington didn't show up to those conference meetings. They surprised everybody by being at the big 10 meetings and at that point, Arizona, ASU and Utah agreed. They can't save the conference and it's over so they were minutes away from saving the conference and it flipped to a 360 of it being completely done. All right, well we'll go back to a little bit more recently just last football season Arizona had one of if not the most electric young quarterbacks in the nation had a top 12 finish in the AP poll coaches poll. We loved seeing you guys take care of business in the Alamo bowl as well. I imagine everything was riding high and then Jed Fish decides to take the Washington job. Can you walk me through all the emotions really of last football season all the way up until Jed Fish deciding to, you know, head up to Seattle. Going to way back to training camp this time of year. You saw the talent out there on the field and you thought, you know what, this is a team that could go anywhere from seven to nine wins, depending upon how things shape up offensively. And as you started the season, you saw Jayden Delora get into the turnover bug against Mississippi State struggle against Stanford and before you knew it Arizona was two and two I believe at that point in time. And really sorry three and two at that point in time. And really just needed some answers that quarterback and Jim Delora went down with the injury. I don't think that changed what had happened if he didn't get injured. And no feeder just took the reins and from that point on you saw confidence from the team not only at the quarterback position, but offense line defense line. Everybody's confidence just seemed to go up and you saw team starting to play collectively. And they went on a run and you know it wasn't one of those runs where you win a couple close games a fumble goes your way a trick play goes your way a call goes your way. They were dominating the line of scrimmage during their winning streak. The only game that really they had any trouble in in terms of the line of scrimmage was probably Oklahoma at the end. And that kind of flipped with the interception or fumble whatever you want to call that crazy play at the midway point through the fourth quarter. But that's a team that was able to dominate the line of scrimmage both offensively and defensively. And they rode that line and they were able to just dominate teams and come away with big turnovers and the defense improved. But as you went after the season it was kind of clear that jet fish wasn't coming back at a certain point. You know they tried to get a deal done after the ASU game to lock up that coaching staff they had the paperwork and everything in place. Trying to get them to sign that paperwork that gets you to the next step of signing your final contract. And it just kept on getting put off and put off and put off and eventually there's a feel around the athletic department that he was going to be here much longer. And Lauren behold he's off to Washington, Arizona scrambles quickly and gets Brett Brett Brennan, who was the original choice before jet fish was hired. So kind of all fell into place they're able to keep the roster, but if Arizona doesn't move quickly, it could be a whole different story. So you mentioned Brett Brennan he was hired pretty quickly. He made some noise at San Jose State a place where it's tough to win football games. I imagine with how quick it happened and you pointing out something that's news to me he was maybe originally going to be that higher before jet fish came into the picture I assume that higher was met with you know green flags and high marks from all the fans especially seeing that you're able to keep no for feet and some of those talented players around. Yeah you know Brennan is a Arizona guy yes he's a graduate of UCLA but he coached underneath Dick told me at Arizona as a grad assistant, his brother played on the football team, his wife went to the U of A, he is Arizona through and through and he had the support of a lot of boosters and donors and alumni with this hire so the moment he was hired Arizona saw its NIL revenue for football skyrocket over that time then they had the previous three seasons even though it was increasing. It was a big number that increased and then you saw other donors help keep the football players here in Tucson, you know, Humberto Lopez is a big time real estate and land guy out here in Tucson and he was able to help persuade Noa Fafida and Tetero McMillan that you know Tucson's the best place for them. But just to speak about their character as players the money they received in the NIL they made sure was distributed amongst the football team that way they could keep their you know brothers their friends and everything in place that way they have a shot at making some noise in the big 12 so it's a very much a family atmosphere out here in Arizona that Polynesian and you know island ties to Tucson are strong here. And if you've know anything about Polynesian culture and everything it is a very strong family atmosphere and they were able to keep that and build upon that and you have a coaching staff that has recruited the poly kids that understands the culture. And they just fit in seamlessly and now it's a matter of piecing what they did together last year and pairing it with what this coaching staff is going to bring to the table. Is there anything that's going to be to you know someone who maybe isn't you know all in like Arizona's their team but from an outsider that they get they would be able to pick up on the differences between Brennan and Fisher is the casual college football fan who probably watches a handful of Arizona games you know year and year out they're not going to really be able to tell much of the difference. I think you're going to see a difference in terms of relation locally I think Jed did a great job of building somewhat of a local community and getting his players and coaches out there locally but Brennan is going to do it even more so. Again being that they told me disciple he understands what football and getting out locally means to this community, he just gets the heartbeat. And then you have coach Aquina and coach Babers who were with Dick told me as well so they get that as well. So I think that's going to be a little bit of a difference I think you're going to see a little bit of an ease you know calmness I'm not saying Jed wasn't a laid back guy but he definitely had his hands all over the football field he knew what was going to happen. On offense he made sure he understood everything what was going on and Brennan is a little bit more laid back he has these veteran coaches that he trusts to implement their system and he's more of a. I don't want to say CEO but you know you have a offense coordinator and you know Babers that's used to calling place. You have a defense coordinator and Duane Aquina who I can't remember the last time he was a DC but he's been around football a long time and understands. But defense is better than anybody in the country so he's going to let him implement his system. Brennan will have the final word but there's a huge amount of trust with him and his coaching staff. Before we keep going I want to give a shout out to our sponsors Charlie hustle clothing company. This June as the time you guys are listening to this, they are knees deep into their big eight road show that's right. They are honoring the iconic big eight conference which includes our Kansas State Wildcats join Charlie hustles they take a trip back in time. And they're releasing some amazing new gear that K state fans will love including the brand new K state bomber jacket you won't want to miss. We're actually going to be giving one away so head over to Bosco's boys on Twitter and enter to win Charlie hustle vintage made fresh. We're a couple of months removed from spring ball we're about a month and change out from preseason camp get in going. What is the expectation out there in Arizona for this season for the Wildcats? New Wildcats. No, no, no, no, it's Arizona you know I just covered the team. But I think the expectation for Arizona in terms of its coaching staff is to be able to compete and potentially win a big 12 title and fight to get into the college football playoffs. They have the talent coming over from last season. They added some pieces on the offense and in defense align that kind of got depleted in the transfer portal and what graduation so they're able to add their depth wise to shore things up behind the back end. And you know if you ask the coaching staff I think every one of them would say we're able to win a big 12 title. Now the fan base I think it's similar as well where they expect Arizona to go anywhere from eight to 10 wins. Personally I think you're going to have to see how this coaching staff reacts in games you know San Jose state they did a great job. But when you get into those close games you knew what Jed was going to do. You don't know what Brett Brennan and this staff is going to do and if there's going to be growing pains. So anywhere from eight to ten wins is really the realistic expectation for Arizona in my opinion. Jewelry isn't a gift you give just once. It's a way to remind your loved one of a beautiful moment every time they see it. Blue Nile can help you find the gift that says how you feel and says it beautifully. With expert guidance and a wide assortment of jewelry of the highest quality at the best price go to Blue Nile dot com and experience the convenience of shopping Blue Nile the original online jeweler since 1999. That's Blue Nile dot com to find the perfect jewelry gift for any occasion Blue Nile dot com. Yeah and I agree with you I personally had them at number three in my preseason and I might have had them at two or one if Jed was sticking around it'll be interesting to see how things go once the bullets start flying. I will say I wasn't trying to paint you as as to being in Arizona. I was saying you know Arizona's Wildcats case state wild. It's weird. I don't you know I I'd be fine if case they had to change their name or something I don't like multiple Wildcats multiple cougars. You know you got bears and bear cats you know that's that's the low key bad part about all these super conferences. Recycling names you know we got to figure something out but like I said about a month out from preseason camp starting where is it the Arizona fans and coaches probably feel the most confident and projecting out on this team. I think the offensive line again the depth could use some strength in there but the starting unit outside of Jordan Morgan who became a first round draft pick for the Green Bay Packers. You have everybody back and that was critical for Arizona. You know Jonah Savanea Raymond Palito. Those were two key keeps and then you have guys like Wendell Mo Josh Baker and Lafe Magnus and coming back on the line so you know who you're starting five are. That's going to be a strength for Arizona and then obviously I think the offense as a whole. I think behind no if it is where you get shaky up no gets hurt Arizona's going to have some problems. But you can say that about anybody in the country once they're starting quarterback goes down. This running back group is probably better than last season's running back group, which was headlined by Jonah Coleman and Michael Wiley. They're able to add a jacore merit from New Mexico able to add an Ole Miss transfer as well and written Conley from San Jose state so they're pretty deep they're out running back defensively that's where it becomes interesting. I think there's a lot of talent there. The secondary might be one of the best in the country have a lot of returners there. They need to figure out the number two cornerback spot. But when you get on that defensive line you are replacing a lot from last season. So the starting unit looks solid but can you get those rotational guys because Arizona's plan as of right now is try to go eight 10 11 deep and rotate their defense line that way everybody keeps fresh. Just like they did last year but if you don't have the talent to do that it could get dicey. So is it the defensive side of the trenches where the most question marks lay or is there any other spot that needs to have some answers before game start kicking off and late August. Yeah I think the three spots to look at are number one the second cornerback spot that's a little thin you know. Decario Davis might be one of the best corners in the country he came back to Tucson after entering the transfer portal. Your secondary in terms of your safety unit is all back but that number two corner spot. There's not a lot of experience there and they were able to add in the transfer portal with guys that haven't played very much so somebody's got to step up there. Number two, number two is that defense line. I think there's talent there and I think they added some smart players like they got defense alignment from Memphis who is young it was an all conference reformer as a freshman but he's only 265 pounds as a D tackle. So you know he'll probably play around all around the line. You add transfer from Syracuse as well. So that that needs to be short up and number one for me is, again, if no fafita goes down I think Arizona's in a lot of trouble who's going to be that. Number two quarterback yes you have a four star recruit there that look kind of dicey in spring practice but has some talent. So who's going to be that guy that steps up and be that solid number two for Arizona. Before we get close to wrapping things up we'll give another shout out to sponsor Manhattan Brewing Company. Troy I don't know if you're going to be making it out to Manhattan for the game but if you do you got to stop by Manhattan Brewing Company. Right on point say 9, 10, 11 sometimes 12 beers on top. Some of the best craft beer you can get in the state of Kansas. So all of you listening right now especially if you're a wildcat make sure you're following them on Twitter they always have great beer releases and events you can find out on Twitter.com. Or X whatever they're calling it these days I'm always going to call it Twitter. And then if you live in this make sure you're talking your local liquor store they're distributed all throughout the state so if you want it in stores be sure to talk to them they want to sell you the beer you want to buy it. Manhattan Brewing Company it simply is the best that's what I say they they they probably get mad when I say they're the best in the state but they really are. It's amazing so I'll ask you this and it is interesting because it is a non conference game and it's on a Friday so there's some weird stuff going around it but where does this game line up in the hierarchy of excitement for Arizona fans or for the Arizona football program you have the territorial cup you're still playing some pack those in Utah and Colorado. And again this isn't a conference game but it is you know the first one that they're playing so where on that hierarchy do you think this game comes in for most Arizona fans. I think it's high considering that one they're both Wildcats and that could be interesting down the road to that Kansas State last season was clearly one of the better teams in the big 12. And three, if you look at that stretch of games for Arizona, you have Kansas State, then you have a bye week and then you have Utah on the road. So those are two big time road games for Arizona, you have to go one in one, in my opinion to compete for a big 12 title and finish around that nine win mark. If you go on to you could be looking at a rough stretch so that's going to be a massive measuring sick for Arizona those two games, and that game falls in line with that so I think it that's that's the bulk of the season that. Arizona fans are most focused on right now. I'll tell you this you know if you're going to go one in one of those games I choose you drop the non conference game beat Utah for the conference standings and then maybe we can get together down in Arlington. And that sure would be that would be funny if K state in Arizona played three times you know in games that don't count towards conference standings you know to non conference in a big 12 championship. Five times in four years I would imagine by the end of that fourth year, there might be a little bit of rivalry developing at least on the grid iron. I'm going to wrap things up and it's really open ended I would love it if you would tell K state fans listening, what are one or two things that they should know about Arizona this football team or even the athletic department as a whole. As you guys come into this conference and as we are sitting in June and we're all starving to hear anything about football and college sports as we now are in this, you know, deep desert until the fall sports kick kick off here in about two months. Yeah, you know if you talk about Arizona football right now you have to talk about Nofa Feta and Tetero McMillan, you know the Heisman talk around Nofa Feta is real. He's one of in terms of the guys I've covered at Arizona. He's one of the smartest quarterbacks I've ever seen as a true freshman he was able to read the field read the pocket, make the correct decision right off the bat in spring practice and in training camp. So the talent is there it's real fight you know five foot whatever that that is probably the problem that a lot of NFL scouts have with Nofa Feta. But in my opinion he'll be there for the Heisman race at the end of the season maybe in that top three, maybe New York. Tetero McMillan though you know you look at him and he'll go down probably as the greatest receiver in the history of Arizona athletics, and be potentially a top 10 draft pick. Here's a guy that has the ability to go up and get the ball like Larry Fitzgerald, but when he has the ball has the speed to break away like Cal and Johnson his main problem is probably catching the ball through contact. That's what he's been working on gaining weight and adding you know some muscle there, but this is one of the most complete receivers in the country and really was one of the most complete receivers in the country last season as well. I love it. I love it. Troy working all the boneheads that's what we call the listeners of our show where can they find you on Twitter and where can they find your work. Yeah so follow me at t hutch 95 or at go easy cats.com on Twitter and follow on on go easy cats.com, which is the rival family of networks and we have all recruiting information basketball information football information that you can think of on our message boards. I believe it is 995 a month or $99.95 for the year, but all the high level areas on information you can want is at go easy cats.com. Well I absolutely love it. Thank you for coming on. I know we were talking football, but man, you guys coming in for basketball. I just, the gauntlet just gets more disgusting and I'm not even looking forward to seeing a 20 game schedule in the big 12. It's going to be wild, especially with you guys joining. So I'm happy that you guys are part of it and Troy thank you again for coming on. Have a good one Scott. Appreciate it. Thank you. 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