Arizona’s showdown with Utah won’t begin when originally planned.
Because of nationwide flight disruptions tied to the FAA, the kickoff for Saturday’s game in Tucson has been pushed back, with Utah and Arizona reportedly set for an 8:30 MST start. The Wildcats are hosting FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff before the teams finally get underway in one of the biggest games Tucson has seen in a long time.
The matchup brings together an undefeated Utah team and a No. 23 Arizona squad that has not lost at home this season. Arizona also had to survive a scare last weekend, edging TCU at Casino Del Sol Stadium.
Utah arrives with plenty of momentum and plenty of attention. The Utes are one of just two undefeated teams left in college football, along with UCLA, but they have not yet played a ranked opponent away from Rice-Eccles Stadium. Saturday changes that, with Utah stepping into a road test against a ranked Arizona team.
The Utes have been just as impressive on defense as they have been in the standings. Under Morgan Scalley, Utah has allowed only 16.3 points per game, which ranks 15th in FBS and second in the Big 12 behind TCU.
They have also been a menace in the turnover game, piling up 13 interceptions, third-most in the country. The only power conference team ahead of them is UCLA, the other unbeaten team in college football.
Utah’s offense has its own danger points, too. Devon Dampier gives the Utes a dual-threat presence at quarterback, while Braden Pegan gives them a legitimate star at wide receiver. That combination means Arizona will need a clean, sharp performance if it wants to spring the upset.
The Wildcats still have two regular-season games after this one. First comes a trip to Manhattan, Kansas, where Arizona will face Kansas State. The other Wildcats are tied for last in the Big 12 at 1-5 and have lost three straight heading into Saturday’s road game at TCU.
Arizona closes the regular season against Arizona State on Nov. 28. The Sun Devils are 3-3 in Big 12 play, though all three of those wins have come against the same 1-5 teams: Kansas State, Colorado, and Kansas.
Those final two games are scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 21 and Nov. 28, respectively, with kickoff times still to be determined.
In Other News...
Kentucky Escape Exposed Warning Signs Arizona Fans Will Notice
No. 24 Kentucky had enough offense to survive Northern Arizona, but not enough control to make the finish comfortable, escaping with a 78-77 win after building a 13-point lead and then watching the Lumberjacks chip away possession by possession. Kentucky shot 56.4% and handed out 21 assists, yet the bigger story was how quickly the game tightened once Northern Arizona started finding rhythm from deep in the second half.
For Arizona fans, the warning signs are easy to spot in a game like this: a talented opponent can still be vulnerable if it gives up extra chances and lets a smaller team hang around. Northern Arizona outrebounded Kentucky 32-20 and kept the pressure on late, turning what looked like a routine result into a tense finish that left the No. 24 team needing one last answer. [Read more 🡒]
Tommy Lloyd Just Created A New Arizona Rotation Debate
Tommy Lloyd shook up Arizonas starting lineup against Auburn, inserting JJ Mandaquit for Bryce James and giving the Wildcats a different look right away. The new first five carried most of the scoring load, while the bench offered only limited help offensively, leaving the rotation conversation very much alive as Arizona continues to sort out its early-season pieces.
Lloyd said the move was tied to the matchup and the way he wanted the game to play out, but it also underscored a larger issue for Arizona: the second unit still has work to do. With UConn next on the schedule, the Wildcats are already facing a decision point on how much they can lean on the starters and how quickly the bench can grow into a more reliable part of the rotation. [Read more 🡒]
Arizona Just Made The Kind Of Road Statement Fans Crave
Arizona walked into Neville Arena and came away with the sort of result that can travel with a team for a long time. The Wildcats beat Auburn 80-69, a road win built on toughness, composure and a clear edge on the glass, as Arizona outrebounded the Tigers by 12 and kept its offense moving even while Auburn got a hand on several shots.
Caleb Holt led the way with 24 points, nine rebounds and five steals, with Ivan Kharchenkov and Motiejus Krivas also giving Arizona needed production. For a team that wanted a statement away from home, this was exactly the kind of night that changes how the rest of the schedule looks, especially with Auburns long nonconference home run suddenly no longer in the way. [Read more 🡒]