West Virginia gets Arizona at home on Saturday afternoon with both teams trying to keep their season on the right track, but the recent form points in different directions.
The Mountaineers opened 3-0 and had a statement win at Virginia, but the last two weeks have been rough. West Virginia was blown out at home by Oklahoma State, then came up short by three at Iowa State last week. Arizona, meanwhile, has stacked up three straight wins after its Week 2 loss at BYU, including a 34-7 rout of Cincinnati last week.
This matchup also comes with a little recent history. West Virginia beat Arizona 31-26 on Oct. 26, 2024 in the first meeting between the programs.
The big name to watch is Noah Fifita, who is in his fifth and final season at Arizona and his fourth year as the starting quarterback. He has been rolling through the early part of his senior year, completing 124 of 168 passes for 1,415 yards with 13 touchdowns and three interceptions.
That puts him 10th nationally in passing yards, and his 13 touchdown throws are tied for ninth in the country. He’s also added three rushing touchdowns, matching his total from last season.
West Virginia has the home field, but that edge hasn’t been enough to steady things lately. The Mountaineers just lost 41-24 to Oklahoma State as 1.5-point home underdogs, while Arizona handled its latest road trip better after the stumble at BYU, beating Washington State by 10 as 11.5-point favorites.
The call here leans Arizona to keep the momentum going away from home, with the OVER also in play.
In Other News...
WVU Has One Lingering Concern In A Very Winnable Arizona Game
West Virginia gets a favorable setup against Arizona this weekend, and that is exactly why the matchup feels like one the Mountaineers should be able to manage if they play to their strengths. Phil Steele pointed to West Virginias offensive upside, while also noting Arizonas injury situation and the burden of a long road trip, both of which add to the sense that this is a game the Mountaineers can control from early on. The noon ET kickoff on TNT gives the meeting a little extra visibility, too, for a WVU team trying to turn a promising spot into a clean result.
Still, Steeles read comes with a catch, because West Virginia has not exactly erased concerns on the defensive side. Even in a game that looks winnable on paper, that remains the lingering issue, and it is the sort of thing that can keep a staff and fan base uneasy until the opening series and beyond. Steeles cautious lean toward the Mountaineers reflects the overall shape of the matchup, but it also underscores how much WVU may need its offense to carry the day if the defense does not firm up. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas Needs This Week 6 Test To Show Real Big 12 Progress
Week 6 brings a full slate of Big 12 games with real weight behind them, and the race is already starting to sort itself out. Iowa State heads to BYU, UCF visits Oklahoma State, Houston travels to Kansas State, and Hawaii makes the trip to Arizona State, but for West Virginia fans the spotlight is on Arizona coming into Morgantown. It is the kind of October test that can tell you a lot about where a team stands once the league grind starts to separate contenders from the rest.
West Virginia gets a chance to measure itself against a conference opponent that arrives with its own ambitions, while Kansas has a different proving ground out in Utah. The Big 12 has enough matchups this week to shape the standings in more than one direction, and the Mountaineers are right in the middle of a weekend that could clarify who is making real progress and who still has ground to cover. [Read more 🡒]
WVU Secondary Suddenly Faces A Real Problem Before Arizona
West Virginias secondary took a hit heading into Arizona, with the latest availability report moving cornerback Nick Taylor from questionable to doubtful. Its a notable development for a defense that needs to be sharp on the back end, especially with Arizona coming in after dealing with its own issues up front in pass protection.
There is at least some encouraging news on the other side of the defensive coin, as pass rusher Harper Holloman is expected to play despite a shoulder injury. If Taylor cant go, Jason Chambers is likely to step into the starting role, while Keyshawn Robinson and Jaire Rawlison are expected to help fill out the rotation and keep the secondary from getting stretched thin. [Read more 🡒]