Arizona and BYU are meeting for the third time in as many seasons on Saturday, and the latest round of pregame talk has already added a little edge.
The last time these teams saw each other, BYU outlasted Arizona in double overtime in Tucson. The matchup before that came in 2024, when the Cougars hosted the Wildcats in Provo and rolled to a 41-19 win in a game that had Big Noon Kickoff attached to it.
That 2024 trip is still part of the conversation because Arizona coach Brent Brennan was asked this week about helping his players handle the atmosphere in Provo. His answer was blunt: he didn’t see the crowd as the issue.
"I didn't feel like the crowd was a problem in [2024], I felt like we didn't play very well. You know what I mean.
We turned the ball over too many times. I think that's a very separate issue.
They have a great crowd though. That part of it I respect and we know that going in there.
That's one of those things, if you let that be an excuse, it will be."
The numbers from that game back up Brennan’s point about turnovers. Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita threw three interceptions that day, the most he had ever thrown in a single game.
Even now, it remains the only game in his career with three picks. Fifita is in his final season at Arizona and has made no secret of wanting another shot at BYU.
Back in July at Big 12 Media Days, Fifita told the Deseret News that the matchup had already been on his mind.
"I would be lying if I didn't say that that game has been circled," Fifita said. "It's been circled because you get to go back to Provo, you know that stadium is going to be on fire.
You know that team is going to be physical. You know that team is going to be great."
Saturday’s game carries real weight for BYU, too. The Cougars are trying to build toward another trip to Arlington and the Big 12 championship game, and this one sits right in the middle of that chase.
ESPN FPI currently gives BYU a 25% chance to win eight or more conference games. That number matters because eight league wins is likely what it will take to get back to Arlington. If BYU takes care of Arizona, that chance rises to 31%, and its odds of reaching seven or more conference wins jump to 62%.
Seven conference wins would still keep the door open, though BYU would likely need a tiebreaker to get there.
In Other News...
BYUs Frontcourt Addition Could Matter More Than Fans Realize
BYU has quietly added another layer to its frontcourt with the arrival of Serbian center Petar Ostojic, a 19-year-old seven-footer who already brings professional experience from Serbian leagues. For a roster still taking shape, the move gives the Cougars a bigger body in the paint and a player who can develop behind Jaxon Kohler, a spot that could matter even more if the season starts with questions at center.
Kohlers eligibility for the upcoming season remains unresolved, with a hearing set for Sept. 29, and that uncertainty is what gives Ostojics addition extra weight. If BYU ends up needing immediate size and depth, the Cougars may find that this understated pickup ends up carrying more significance than it first appeared to have. [Read more 🡒]
BYUs Secondary Is Still Waiting On One Crucial Return
BYUs defense came out of its season opener with a lopsided win over Utah Tech, but the secondary was left sorting through the fallout after safety Raider Damuni went down with a severe leg injury. The Cougars have already had to reshuffle some things behind the scenes, and defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga has been clear that Damunis absence has forced others into bigger roles sooner than planned.
There is at least a timeline now, and it gives BYU some reason for patience. Poppinga indicated Damuni is aiming to get back after the bye week, with the possibility of returning for either TCU or Notre Dame, while Tommy Prassas has moved into a starting safety spot in the meantime. For a defense trying to stay steady with quarterback Noah Fifita on deck, the next stretch will say plenty about how well the Cougars can hold the line until one of their most important pieces is ready again. [Read more 🡒]
Treyson Bourguet Just Shared Why BYU Means More Than Football
Treyson Bourguet arrived at BYU last year after transferring from Western Michigan, and his role as a backup quarterback has given him a different kind of spotlight than the one most fans usually track. On BYUtvs Sports Nation, he talked about how his time in Provo has shaped more than his game, describing the experience as one that has influenced his life and faith in ways he did not expect.
Bourguet, who said he is spiritual even though he is not a member of the sponsoring faith, spoke openly about football and BYU bringing him closer to Christ. He also pointed to the people around him, thanking teammates and coaches for creating an environment built around a shared desire to be disciples of Christ through football. For BYU, it is the kind of reminder that the programs pull often reaches well beyond the depth chart. [Read more 🡒]