BYU’s next step up comes fast, and it arrives Saturday in Provo with Arizona in town. FanDuel has the Cougars listed as 7.5-point favorites, with the over/under set at 51.5.
The matchup gives BYU its first true measuring stick of the season after rolling past Utah Tech 63-7. Arizona answered with a 35-7 win over Northern Arizona.
The Wildcats are built around fifth-year senior quarterback Noah Fifita, who was named Preseason First Team All-Big 12 and is entering his fourth season as Arizona’s starting quarterback. Arizona went 9-4 last season and is being viewed as a darkhorse contender for the Big 12 title this year behind its veteran signal-caller.
These two already know each other well. BYU edged Arizona in double overtime in Tucson last season after trailing by 10 with fewer than five minutes left.
Bear Bachmeier sparked the comeback with late touchdown runs in regulation and again in double overtime, and BYU leaned heavily on the run game. LJ Martin rushed for 162 yards, Bachmeier added 89, and the Cougars’ ground attack carried the night.
Fifita still made his mark in that game, throwing for 219 yards and connecting on touchdown passes of 17 and 35 yards that helped Arizona build a double-digit fourth-quarter lead.
Saturday’s game also sits in a stretch that could shape BYU’s season. The Cougars travel to TCU on October 3 before Notre Dame comes to Provo on October 17. TCU is coming off a week 0 loss to North Carolina in Dublin.
In Other News...
BYU Heads Into Arizona With A New Defensive Problem
BYUs defensive picture looked a little different when the depth chart for the Arizona game came out, and not in a way the Cougars wanted heading into a tricky road test. Raider Damuni, who started at strong safety in Week 1, is off the chart after suffering an injury and is expected to miss multiple games, forcing BYU to reshuffle a secondary that already had to absorb early-season attrition.
Tommy Prassas moves into the starting strong safety spot, with true freshman Kennan Pula and Jarinn Kalama in the mix for snaps as the Cougars sort out the back end. There was at least one encouraging note on the defensive side, as edge rusher Nusi Taumoepeau was bumped into the starting field backer role after working his way back from injury, but BYU now heads to Arizona with one more lineup question to manage. [Read more 🡒]
BYU Faces An Early Depth Test Ahead Of Arizona
BYU is heading into its matchup with Arizona already having to sort through a little early-season roster stress, and the concern is most noticeable at running back. Backup Sione Moa left the previous game early, and while the injury is not considered season-ending, his return timeline remains unclear, leaving the Cougars with a live question as they turn their attention to the Wildcats.
Preston Rex, Journee Tonga and Devaughn Eka have each shown enough in brief opportunities to make the situation manageable for now, but depth tests have a way of revealing themselves quickly once conference play feeling pressure starts to build. There is better news on the defensive side, where Isaiah Glasker is expected back in week two, and Nusi Taumoepeau is set to start after a fall camp limited by injury, giving BYU at least a few important pieces back as it tries to get through the opening stretch intact. [Read more 🡒]
BYU Already Has Two Early Reasons For Fans To Believe
The season opener gave BYU more than just a win over Utah Tech. It also delivered two early conference honors, with returner Cannon DeVries earning Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week and wide receiver Legend Glasker taking Big 12 Freshman of the Week after standout debuts that immediately put both players on the radar.
DeVries flipped field position in the most dramatic way possible with a kickoff return for a touchdown, while Glasker announced himself with three scores in his first college game. For a program trying to build momentum heading into Big 12 play, those are the kind of early signs that can matter, and BYU will get its first real chance to see how they carry over when Arizona visits on Sept. 12. [Read more 🡒]