BYU and Arizona are set to do battle for the 28th time overall and third time as Big 12 Conference rivals. Arizona has not beaten BYU since 2008. Will the Cougars continue their win streak or will Arizona snap the skid? SB Nation’s Arizona site, Arizona Desert Swarm (ADS), was kind enough to answer a few questions ahead of Saturday’s contest. Thanks to Brian Pedersen for the analysis.
What is something you gleaned from beating down on FCS foe NAU? It’s sometimes hard to tell what’s real.
ADS: Arizona
stayed healthy, which was most important, but from a performance standpoint the ability for the front seven to get pressure (5 sacks) while also stopping the run (first negative yardage allowed since 2006) were the biggest takeaways.
What is the biggest difference between this Arizona team and the one that lost to BYU in double OT last year?
ADS: The Arizona team that couldn’t hold a 2-score lead in the 4th quarter in Tucson was still trying to figure itself with so many newcomers in key roles, and didn’t have the confidence to believe it could win that game. The Wildcats only lost once more in the regular season after that, on a walkoff field goal at Houston after rallying from down 14 in the 4th.
This UA team only started six newcomers against NAU and is in the second year of this offensive and defensive scheme. The confidence is also much higher.
Noah Fifita seems like he’s been playing at Arizona since the Obama Administration. What are the expectations for him? Anything new or improved? I consider him one of the three best quarterbacks in the Big 12.
ADS: Fun fact: He does own a tan suit.
Noah Fifita will probably have a statue, albeit a small one, outside the stadium someday for his commitment to this program. Arizona is hyping him as a Heisman candidate, which is a major long shot, but the offense is built around him so it’s not impossible to see that gain momentum especially with a good start to the season.
There’s not really anything new with his game, it’s more the fact that he’s got the same offensive coordinator for consecutive seasons for the first time since becoming the starter. Seth Doege got him to run more last season and that opened things up for him, and one of his TD passes in the opener was as he was on the run.
Who is your biggest impact newcomer?
ADS: I’d have to go with defensive back Malcolm Hartzog Jr., who is playing slot corner after four seasons at Nebraska. He’s small but can hold his own against tight ends and targets out of the backfield.
What is the strongest and weakest position groups on this Arizona squad?
ADS: The strongest group is either the receiving corps, which goes seven or eight deep, or the defensive line, which is even deeper. The latter rotates on the regular to stay fresh, so BYU may need to avoid subbing to try and wear that group down.
As far as weakest, Arizona had to replace all five starters from the secondary, four of which got drafted and four (three drafted, one undrafted) made NFL rosters. But the coaches think this group, which started three transfers and a former walk-on against NAU, might be better in one-on-one coverage than the one that helped the Wildcats tie for second nationally in interceptions in 2025.
What are Arizona fans’ perception of BYU and its role in the Big 12?
ADS: Among the many things Arizona fans did not like about leaving the Pac-12 was the loss of regional rivals, particularly the California schools. BYU (and Utah) fill that void, and it helps that the men’s basketball games have been spirited as well. Because the Cougars are good that makes them hated, because jealousy is a big part of Wildcat Nation’s fandom.
Prediction for the game! With score
ADS: I picked Arizona to win this game in our season predictions last month, and gotta stick with that for now. Defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales said he started working on his BYU gameplan on Jan. 4, two days after the Holiday Bowl, and that’s almost certainly true. If the UA avoids turnovers and stays balanced on offense, it wins this game 24-20.
