The Arizona Wildcats are making noise at just the right time-and the College Football Playoff committee has taken notice.
In the latest CFP rankings revealed Tuesday night, Arizona made a major leap, vaulting from No. 25 to No. 18.
That’s a seven-spot jump, the biggest move by any team in this week’s update. It’s a clear sign that the Wildcats’ late-season surge isn’t going unnoticed on the national stage.
And let’s be honest-this rise didn’t come out of nowhere. Arizona ended its regular season on a five-game winning streak, finishing 9-3 overall.
That’s not just momentum; that’s a team hitting its stride when it matters most. Whether it was gritty defense, timely offense, or just plain resilience, the Wildcats found ways to win-and now they’re being rewarded for it.
Within the Big 12, Arizona now ranks fourth among its conference peers in the CFP standings. Only No.
4 Texas Tech, No. 11 BYU, and No.
15 Utah sit ahead. That’s some elite company, and it speaks to just how competitive the top of the Big 12 has become this season.
Arizona’s ability to climb into that upper tier is a testament to how far this program has come.
The recognition doesn’t stop with the CFP rankings, either. Arizona also checks in at No. 22 in both the Associated Press Top 25 and the AFCA Coaches Poll. It’s the first time the Wildcats have been ranked in all three major polls since the end of the 2023 season-a milestone that reflects both consistency and national respect.
Now, all eyes turn to Sunday, Dec. 7.
That’s when Arizona will learn its postseason destination, with announcements beginning at 10 a.m. on ESPN. Whether it’s a marquee bowl matchup or a chance to take on another ranked opponent, the Wildcats have put themselves in position to make a statement on a national stage.
For a program that’s been building steadily, this moment feels earned. It’s not just about rankings-it’s about arriving. Arizona has proven it can hang with the best in the Big 12, and now it’s ready to show the rest of the country what it’s made of.