The Associated Press voters did not think Arizona was worthy of a spot in the latest poll, despite being 8-3 and riding a 4-game win streak. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.
The College Football Playoff
selection committee made their own assessment of the Wildcats and determined they’re deserving of a ranking, the first since 2023.
The UA has entered the CFP rankings at No. 25, one of five Big 12 schools in the latest Top 25. That includes ASU, which is No. 20, setting up a rare ranked matchup for Friday’s Territorial Cup.
It marks the first time since 2014, which was the first year of the CFP, that both the Wildcats and Sun Devils are ranked. That year the UA was No. 11 and ASU No. 13 for their meeting in Tucson, won 42-35 by Arizona to land a spot in the Pac-12 title game.
ASU is still alive for a return trip to the Big 12 championship, needing to beat Arizona and get some help.
Also ranked from the Big 12 are No. 5 Texas Tech, No. 11 BYU and No. 13 Utah. Arizona, ASU and Utah join No. 6 Oregon and No. 17 USC as former Pac-12 schools in the Top 25.
This is the 14th CFP rankings that have included Arizona since 2014. The Wildcats were in there for all seven that year, once in 2017 and the last five in 2023 when they got as high as No. 14 before beating Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl, earning a No. 11 ranking in the final AP poll.
