Arizona (1-0, 0-0 Big 12) at BYU (1-0, 0-0 Big 12)
- Kickoff: Saturday, 1:30 p.m. MDT
- Venue: LaVell Edwards Stadium (capacity: 62,073)
- TV: Fox
- Livestream: foxsports.com/live
- Radio: KSL 1160 AM/102.7 FM/BYU Radio Sirius XM 143
- Series: BYU leads, 14-12-1
The trends
For BYU: The Cougars, fresh off a 63-7 thumping of Utah Tech, open Big 12 play for their earliest conference matchup since 2010.
BYU has won each of its past five meetings with Arizona, dating back to 2016 and hasn’t lost a Big 12 opener since 2023.
For Arizona: The Wildcats defeated Northern Arizona 35-7 this past week behind more than 500 yards of total offense and six sacks.
After falling to BYU in Tucson last year, Arizona proceeded to win five of its remaining six regular-season contests, including ranked road victories at Cincinnati and Arizona State.
What to watch for
With most of BYU’s starters playing limited snaps last week against FCS foe Utah Tech, this will be the first opportunity to see the Cougars fully unleashed in 2026.
Backup running back Sione Moa is lost for the season with a torn MCL and PCL, so watch for who logs the most non-LJ Martin carries out of the backfield for BYU, whether it be Preston Rex, Journee Tonga or Devaughn Eka, who all scored touchdowns in the opener.
BYU’s other major current injury is that of safety Raider Damuni, who will miss the next few weeks and be replaced by Tommy Prassas. Given the shakeup in the Cougar secondary, take note of how Arizona attempts to attack BYU through the air.
Additionally, star Cougars linebacker Isaiah Glasker will make his season debut Saturday, having snagged interceptions against Arizona in both 2024 and 2025.
The Wildcats surged for six sacks against Northern Arizona last week, so pay attention to how BYU’s offensive line protects Bear Bachmeier in the pocket — and how quickly the sophomore quarterback can distribute the ball.
Player to watch
Noah Fifita, senior, quarterback, Arizona: Fifita is arguably the best QB in the conference, yet he’s struggled against BYU.
In two games against the Cougars, he’s coughed up four turnovers and completed barely more than 50% of his passes.
After last year’s double-overtime loss in Tucson, however, Fifita finished the year throwing 14 touchdowns against two interceptions to earn first team All-Big 12 honors.
Fifita will undoubtedly be hungry to exorcise his past BYU demons and flip the script in his final battle against the Cougars. He’ll be facing a shakier BYU secondary than he’s previously known and could prove prolific through the air.
It will be very difficult for Arizona to upset BYU if Fifita doesn’t play well. Conversely, if the Cougars can’t pressure Fifita, they could have trouble containing the Wildcats. He is the textbook definition of an “X-factor” for Saturday’s action.
Quotable
“Our mindset going into this season has been that that we want to be ready for 12 opportunities on the schedule, and trying to create more. So that’s what we’re focused on, we want to take care of what we can control, which is making sure that we’re ready and prepared.” — BYU coach Kalani Sitake
“(BYU)’s been one of the best teams in the conference for the last few years. They have outstanding players in lots of different positions. They’re very well coached, and so this is a big-time football game. This is going to be a great football game. We get to go on the road, we get to play in front of a tough environment. It’s going to be a lot of fun.” — Arizona coach Brent Brennan
Next up
- BYU: at Colorado State on Saturday
- Arizona: vs. Northern Illinois on Saturday
BYU schedule
- Sept. 5 — defeated Utah Tech 63-7
- Sept. 19 — at Colorado State
- Oct. 3 — at TCU
- Oct. 9 — Iowa State
- Oct. 17 — Notre Dame
- Oct. 24 — at UCF
- Oct. 31 — Arizona State
- Nov. 7 — at Utah
- Nov. 14 — Baylor
- Nov. 21 — at Kansas
- Nov. 28 — Cincinnati