No. 14 BYU plays host to the Arizona Wildcats Saturday at 2 p.m., in a newly formed conference showdown.
The Cougars also play host to "Big Noon Kickoff," Fox's college football traveling studio show. It's the first time since 2009 that a major network studio show has graced the streets of Provo.
This game, though not a ranked matchup, carries an undeniable amount of weight for Wildcats and Cougars alike. For BYU, this game is a chance to start the season 6-0 and continue to climb both the national and Big 12 rankings. For Arizona, this game is an opportunity to bounce back after a disappointing home loss to Texas Tech.
The Wildcats are familiar with knocking off ranked teams in the state of Utah. Just two weeks ago, the Wildcats snuffed out then-No. 10 Utah's offense in Salt Lake City in an upset road victory. It's been a bit of a roller coaster of a season so far for Arizona.
Coming into the season, the Wildcats were ranked and boasted one of the best quarterback-wide receiver duos in all of college football. They scored 62 points in their season opener, and it appeared that they would have an elite offense all season. However, since week one, Arizona has averaged just 18.5 points per game.
Just because the production hasn't shown in points doesn't mean BYU's defense can relax. The Wildcats still have Tetairoa McMillan, arguably the best receiver in college football. McMillan averages over 17 yards per catch and has already found the endzone four times this season. The 6-foot-5 receiver has lighting speed and sure hands that make him a threat whatever the down and distance.
Of course, you also have to pay attention to Noah Fifita, an elite quarterback in his own right who has shown flashes of brilliance all season. Not to mention a much-improved run game over the past few weeks for Arizona.
The Cougar defense has its work cut out for them and at the end of the day, it's going to be up to them to win this game. The Cougars' performance against Baylor two weeks ago doesn't exactly bode well, as the Bears were able to throw on BYU's defense all game. The Wildcats have significantly more prowess through the air, and the Cougar DBs are going to need to be on their A-game.
Offensively, BYU will be without starting center Connor Pay. The senior captain was pivotal to the Cougar's run success, and it was apparent two weeks ago that the ground game struggled without him. It's going to be up to Jake Retzlaff to make it happen, either with his arm or his legs.
It's going to be an electric environment and an amazing game, regardless. Here are our predictions:
Me (2-3) — Arizona 41, BYU 27
Okay, so maybe my record stinks, but that's not going to stop me from fading BYU. The Cougars we all know and love will show themselves eventually and what better time to do so than with "Big Noon Kickoff" in town and Gus Johnson in the booth? I think this is the week Arizona finally figures it out on offense. BYU doesn't have a single player on the roster that can keep up with McMillan and it's going to show Saturday afternoon. The Wildcat ground game will then open the passing game and we'll start to see Arizona start to get pretty much whatever it wants, blowing the game open early. The Cougars' offense will struggle to find success on the ground, and Retzlaff will be forced into obvious passing situations that will create turnovers. Sorry, BYU fans, the undefeated streak ends this weekend.
Kevin Humphreys (3-2) — BYU 28, Arizona 23
The Arizona Wildcats are one of the most confusing teams in college football this season. After dominating Utah in Salt Lake City, Arizona laid an egg and struggled to find its offensive rhythm against Texas Tech. Arizona’s roster is top-heavy, with NFL talents scattered around on offense and defense. However, the depth behind those talented players is nonexistent. Noah Fifita's turnovers in critical moments of the game have plagued Arizona this season, usually when he targets Tetairoa McMillan in double coverage. BYU’s defense has proven opportunistic this year, creating turnovers and capitalizing on them on offense. They will turn Arizona over and force it into too many field goals for them to win on the road. While held together by duct tape, BYU's patchwork offensive line will be good enough to get BYU into the end zone enough times to hold off a late surge from Arizona to get to 6-0 and clinch a bowl game.
Karter Baughan (3-2) — Arizona 34, BYU 31
BYU opens as a 4.5-point favorite against Arizona. I'll make this short and sweet: BYU has yet to face a passing threat like this Arizona team. I think BYU's defensive backs are going to struggle against the dynamic duo of Noah Fifita and Tetairoa McMillan. I’m concerned about Retzlaff turning the ball over against the Wildcats.