Arizona Wildcats 2009 College Football Predictions - 2010 BCS Odds: After five years of rebuilding under football coach Mike Stoops, the University of Arizona Wildcats football team finally enjoyed some success in 2008 by going 8-5 including an upset 31-21 win over BYU in the Las Vegas Bowl. Looking ahead to the 2009 season, fans and pundits are expecting Arizona to join the PAC-10 elite and contend for a BCS Championship.

Oddsmakers at sportsbook Bodog.com list the Wildcats BCS Championship winning odds at 100-to-1.

At the conclusion of Spring practice in April, it appears the Wildcats will return 14 starters from the 2008 campaign. Perhaps the biggest negative entering the 2009 season is the lack of an experienced quarterback. Once fall drills begin in August, the battle to replace departing Willie Tuitama's job at quarterback will ensue between sophomores Mike Scott and Nick Foles. Scott, who served as Tuitama’s backup as a true freshman last fall, brings quickness and running ability to the position. Foles, a fall transfer from Michigan State, offers the big arm that compares to Tuitama’s top strength, but Foles also brings improved footwork in and out of the pocket.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Wildcats appear to be in great shape. Stoops said following Spring drills he feels good about the defensive unit and said the defense, although it doesn’t have a big name like Antoine Cason or Ronnie Palmer, is extremely balanced.

The Arizona football team opens its 2009 schedule on September 5 against Central Michigan, who has qualified for a bowl game in each of the last three seasons. Following their game with Northern Arizona in week-2, the Wildcats travel for three straight weeks to Iowa, Oregon State and Washington before returning home for three games with Stanford, UCLA and Washington State. On Nov. 14, the Wildcats face what could be a crucial game at California then returning home for a battle with the Oregon Ducks on Nov. 21. Arizona will conclude the 2009 regular season on the road with trips down to Tempe and to Los Angeles to play USC.