No. 14 BYU seeks to extend unbeaten start against Arizona
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita looks to pass the ball against Utah during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Credit: AP/Tyler Tate
Arizona (3-2, 1-1 Big 12) at No. 14 BYU (5-0, 2-0), Saturday, 4 p.m. ET (FOX)
BetMGM College Football Odds: BYU by 3 1/2.
Series record: Tied 12-12-1
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
BYU is 5-0 for the third time in five seasons. The Cougars can secure bowl eligibility with their third straight Big 12 Conference victory after winning just two league games a year ago. Arizona scored an upset over Utah on its last trip to the Beehive State two weeks ago. The Wildcats are looking to snap a three-game skid in the series and spoil BYU’s undefeated season.
KEY MATCHUP
This promises to be a low-scoring battle with both teams fielding strong defenses. BYU’s front seven has excelled at pressuring quarterbacks. Jack Kelly and Isaiah Glasker both have 5.0 tackles-for-loss. Arizona can punish the Cougars’ aggression with a cadre of talented receivers led by Tetairoa McMillan, who leads all Big 12 players with 664 receiving yards.
Baylor head coach Dave Aranda, left, and BYU head coach Kalani Sitake, right, greet each other after an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Waco, Texas. Credit: AP/Jerry Larson
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Arizona: Noah Fifita continues to put up good numbers, throwing for 1,361 yards through five games while completing 61.5% of his pass attempts. Still, Fifita struggled with finishing drives in both of Arizona’s losses. For the Wildcats to pull an upset, he needs to find a consistent rhythm against a rugged BYU defense and not make drive killing mistakes.
BYU: The Cougars have all their running backs healthy and available for the first time in a month. LJ Martin and Sione Moa have both shown potential to emerge as a lead back. BYU needs to find a reliable bell cow back to absorb some defensive pressure from Jake Retzlaff. Moa is the only back to eclipse 70 rushing yards in a game so far this season.
FACTS & FIGURES
Seven different BYU players have had at least one interception. The Cougars rank third in the Big 12 in turnovers gained. … McMillan needs 91 yards to move into fourth place on the Wildcats’ career receiving yards list. ... Kalani Sitake’s first game as a head coach at BYU was against Arizona in 2016. The Cougars won 18-16 on a 33-yard field goal from Jake Oldroyd. Sitake is 3-0 against the Wildcats. … Arizona is second in the Big 12 in fourth down defense (3-of-9, .333). … BYU has allowed a passing efficiency of 91.01 through five games, ranking fifth among FBS teams. The Cougars are allowing 171.0 passing yards per game.
