Sometimes a little reset and return to basics can go a long way. After the second bye-week of the season, Arizona returns to the gridiron this Saturday against a Colorado team that frankly is searching for its identity after getting trounced by Utah last weekend. With Noah Fifita coming off one of the most efficient games of his career, and a renewed focus on stopping the run, check out what to expect when Arizona takes the field in Boulder on Saturday against Colorado in this week’s Preview & Predictions.
Offense:
While Noah Fifita just completed one of the most efficient games of his career, connecting on 24-of-26 passes (92.3%) for 269 yards, two touchdowns, and no turnovers, the Wildcats will have some decisions about how to balance the air and ground attack. The Buffaloes gave up a staggering 422 yards of offense on the ground at Utah last week. It is the fifth time in eight games this season that Colorado has allowed over 200 yards, and the second over 300.
The Wildcats are also as healthy up front as they have been all season. The only offensive lineman with any limitations is Georgia Tech transfer Jordan Brown, who’s appeared in just one game for Arizona so far this season. The offensive line did give up four sacks against Houston, with a number of pressures and hits coming off the edge by defensive backs. With tight end Cameron Barmore’s surge through the latter part of the season and Arizona’s stable of physical running backs, including Kedrick Reescano and Quincy Craig, finally healthy, the Wildcats have everything they need to account for pressure from Colorado, which has only gotten home to the quarterback nine times this season.
“There might have been a time where I’m like, I don’t know if he’ll ever play for us, but I’m sure glad he’s here now,” said offensive coordinator Seth Doege about tight end Cameron Barmore this week, calling him Arizona’s most improved player on the offensive side of the ball from spring to now.
Colorado appears it will also be without several key members of its defense, including defensive tackle Amari McNeil, who leads the team in tackles at the interior lineman spot, as well as defensive end Alexander McPherson. Defensive tackle Tawfiq Thomas is also doubtful on the latest Big 12 player availability report. With how thin the Buffs are up front defensively, coupled with their inability to stop the run against Utah, expect Arizona to lean on a combination of the ground, opening up the air attack and play-action opportunities for Noah Fifita for explosive plays down the field.
Defense:
The Buffalo, er, elephant in the room has obviously been Arizona’s inability to stop the run, particularly quarterback power, over the past two weeks. The Wildcats gave up 258 rushing yards against BYU, including a career-high 162 yards to running back LJ Martin, and 89 yards and two scores to freshman phenom quarterback Bear Bachmeier. Against Houston, it was rinse and repeat. The Cougars rushed for 232 yards, including a 100-yard performance by running back Dean Connors, with quarterback Conner Weigman powering his way for another 98 yards and a touchdown.
While Arizona is not a gap-scheme defense, so understanding assignments, getting population to the football, and making sure-handed tackles were all part of the Wildcats’ focus during the bye-week.
“We will solve, if it’s the last thing I do as defensive coordinator, them running that stupid freaking play,” said defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales regarding run defense this week. Gonzales also compared Colorado quarterback Kaidon Salter to Kansas State signal caller Avery Johnson and acknowledged that he expects Colorado to try and run between the tackles with its quarterback after the last two weeks of tape.
“I think he’s fast as hell…why would you not put quarterback power in from what you’ve seen the last two weeks?”
Brent Brennan and Danny Gonzales also both stated this week that Arizona is preparing for the possibility of two quarterbacks, after Colorado signal caller Ryan Staub also saw some extend playing time at the end of last week.
Two other areas to watch are Arizona’s play off the edge, as well as the turnover battle. Colorado has an impressive tandem of tackles bookending the offensive line in Jordan Seaton and Larry Johnson III. Seaton, a five-star player coming out of high school, is the team’s top pass blocker per PFF, with a grade of 88.1 on the season, while he and Johnson III have each only given up one sack this year. Johnson III has allowed 16 pressures, including 15 hurries this season, which may be an area for linebackers Chase Kennedy and Riley Wilson, or even a defensive back like Treydan Stukes to exploit on Saturday.
The Wildcats did not force a turnover in the game at Houston, something they will need to get back to as Brent Brennan looks to get his first road win since September of 2024.
Special Teams:
After a spooky start to the season (it is Halloween after all y’all), special teams continues to be an area trending in the right direction for Arizona. Since making the change at punter, Isaac Lovison looks more and more comfortable with each game. Against Houston, Lovison averaged 49.0 yards per punt, including one boot that pinned Houston deep at its own four-yard line. It should also be a relatively smooth day at the office for Michael Salgado-Medina, who will not have to deal with much wind, and will have the added benefit of kicking in mile-high altitude.
Special teams also continues to play clean football, with the last penalty coming on the road at Iowa State over a month ago.
Final Score Prediction:
Colorado may be licking its wounds and ready to prove that the crushing loss against Utah was a fluke, especially on Homecoming, but Arizona is going to win this game. Why? Because close loses in very winnable games against two of the Big 12’s top teams right now have Arizona preparing with a different “edge” says Brent Brennan.
“They’re pissed off about Houston. They’re upset about not finishing against BYU.”
If the offense continues executing at the same high level it has been over the last two week and the defense returns to stymieing the run like it did earlier in the season, the Wildcats will get their first road win of 2025. Look for Arizona to win 31-17, moving just one game within reach of bowl game eligibility.