Arizona off to good start, but ...

It’s hard to discuss the Arizona Wildcats’ 2-0 start without using the two most deflating words in the English language: Yeah, but …

The UA football team is undefeated heading into Week 3 for the first time since 2002. (Yeah, but the Wildcats are playing their softest nonconference schedule in years.)

Quarterback Willie Tuitama is smashing passing marks. (Yeah, but he’s playing in an offense that throws more often than it doesn’t.)

The defense is playing with Desert Swarm efficiency. (Yeah, but it has yet to face a team with Pac-10 talent.)

Whether you’re a true believer or a perennial skeptic, this much is for certain: Arizona has shown enough promise in two blowout wins to give fans reason to believe the Wildcats can defeat New Mexico today and be competitive in Pac-10 Conference play.

Here are three reasons to be encouraged — and three things to think about as the Wildcats get ready to play the Lobos.

 • Nicolas Grigsby is running well. The Wildcats’ sophomore tailback is averaging 152 yards per game on the ground, a figure that puts him eighth nationally. Grigsby’s five touchdowns are fourth in the nation. Only Michigan State’s Javon Ringer (seven), Georgia’s Knowshon Moreno (six) and Penn State’s Evan Royster (six) have more.

Grigsby struggled to understand his role as a freshman; this year, he is letting his natural talent take over.

Yeah, but … Grigsby and the Wildcats have played two of the nation’s worst defenses. Toledo allowed nearly 400 yards a game in 2007 and is expected to be just as bad this season. Idaho looked outmatched against the Wildcats in Week 1 and wasn’t much better against Idaho State over the weekend.

 • Arizona owns the red zone. The Wildcats have been inside their opponents’ 20-yard line 15 times in two games, scoring 13 touchdowns and two field goals. Among Pac-10 teams, only Arizona State (11-for-11, five touchdowns) comes close. Credit Tuitama, who is making better decisions as a senior. The UA quarterback completed 25 of 33 passes for 292 yards and two touchdowns against Toledo.

“For the most part,” Tuitama said, “we did a good job of protecting the ball.”

Yeah, but … believe it or not, Arizona could be doing better. The Wildcats were forced to settle for field goals twice Saturday despite being mere feet from the goal line.

 • The Wildcats are stopping the pass. Arizona was solid again versus Toledo, limiting Rockets starter Aaron Opelt to 170 passing yards on 21 of 31 attempts. Toledo’s only touchdown came on a 3-yard drive that began when a Rockets defender recovered a fumble by Arizona receiver Terrell Turner and returned it to the Wildcats 3.

In two games, Arizona has allowed just 218 yards through the air. The Cats’ four interceptions are tied for seventh in the country.

Defensive coordinator Mark Stoops said he’s been thrilled with the unit’s production.

“I just love the guys and the way they are working,” he said.

Yeah, but … Arizona must develop a pass rush if it hopes to compete for a bowl berth.

Defensive tackle Earl Mitchell registered the Cats’ first sack of the season in the fourth quarter against Toledo.

Arizona at New Mexico
When: 5 p.m. today
Where: Albuquerque, N.M.
TV: None
Radio: KFNX (1100 AM)