No. 18 BYU vs. Arizona: Game Day Preview Plus Score Prediction
Oct 11, 2025, 12:01 AM
TUCSON, Ariz. – BYU vs Arizona is an intriguing week seven clash on the college football slate.
The Cougars enter the game nationally ranked at No. 18 in the AP Top 25, with a perfect, undefeated record. Arizona isn’t far off from an unbeaten mark; the Wildcats are 4-1 overall in head coach Brent Brennan’s second season.
It’s the second meeting between these two programs as Big 12 foes. However, it’s the 27th meeting all-time for these schools, which have a history together that dates back to the 1930s.
BYU cruised by Arizona last year in Provo, 41-19. Under head coach Kalani Sitake, who celebrated his 50th birthday on Friday, BYU is 4-0 against the Wildcats.
Sitake and Brennan have a strong relationship as they worked together on the coaching staff at Oregon State and were neighbors.
It’s an essential game if either team hopes to reach the Big 12 Championship Game in December.
No. 18 BYU vs. Arizona
Location: Arizona Stadium
Kickoff: 6 p.m. (MDT)/5 p.m. (MST – Arizona Time)
TV: ESPN2
Radio: KSL NewsRadio (102.7 FM, 1160 AM)
Three Game Day Thoughts
1. Constant check-ins on the weather
You wouldn’t expect rainy conditions for a game played in Tucson, Arizona, but everyone will be monitoring the weather as the game approaches.
That’s because remnants from Hurricane Priscilla have caused flood warnings in the Tucson area through the weekend.
Flood watch in effect from noon Saturday to 5 pm Monday. Abundant moisture from two tropical systems may lead to periods of moderate to heavy rain & isolated thunderstorms. Dry washes, low lying areas, & urban locations may see flooding. Never drive through flooded roads. #azwx pic.twitter.com/7nSVpJYDzt
— NWS Tucson (@NWSTucson) October 10, 2025
The National Weather Service in Tucson stated that the weekend in Tucson could have “moderate to heavy rain & isolated thunderstorms.” When the elements are not ideal, it could have an impact on a football game.
BYU has no problem with a game staying on the ground and relying on the physicality. Arizona has an excellent defense, but hasn’t established itself, even in the eyes of Wildcat faithful, after a poorly attended crowd last week in the win over Oklahoma State.
It should be a much larger crowd with Arizona hosting “Parents Weekend” and BYU fans showing up. But safe to say, a lot of attention is going to be placed on the weather.
2. Arizona’s Noah Fifita is the best quarterback BYU will face to date in the season
Third-year Arizona starting quarterback Noah Fifita is off to a strong start for the Wildcats. The change in offensive coordinator to Seth Doege is helping Fifita become a more complete quarterback, as he’s been able to show off his ability to extend plays with his feet.
Fifita will be the toughest quarterback BYU’s defense will face to date this season.
The Huntington Beach, California, native is fourth in the Big 12 in passing yards this year.
Last year, BYU’s defense forced Fifita into three interceptions and was able to sack him once. Arizona is ranked last in the Big 12 in sacks allowed, giving up 14 sacks on Fifita this season.
Even though BYU defensive ends coach Kelly Poppinga says, “sacks are overrated,” this might be a game where BYU’s edge rushers could get home and generate some sacks.
3. Turnovers are going to determine the game
Tonight is an excellent matchup between two of the best defenses in the Big 12 this season.
Both teams have generated seven interceptions this season. The defense that maintains its success in generating picks will put its team in a position to get the win tonight.
Bear Bachmeier tossed his first interception last week against West Virginia. That pick didn’t result in any points, but a few possessions later, he had a backwards pass that resulted in a fumble, giving the Mountaineers an easy turnover.
Turnovers are always big in any game, but with both of these teams having strong defenses, the turnover margin gets magnified. Whoever generates a short field or easy points will be huge in this matchup.
Two BYU vs Arizona Questions
1. How often will BYU turn to Bear Bachmeier on the ground?
If the weather leads to a cliche “ground and pound” type of game, BYU is okay with that. In fact, they are willing to run the ball with Bear Bachmeier a lot.
In the win at Colorado two weeks ago, Bachmeier ran the ball 15 times for 98 rushing yards.
After the game, Kalani Sitake said he’d run Bachmeier 40 times if that’s what it took to win the game.
📍 Tucson, Arizona pic.twitter.com/UV7TshAZ58
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 11, 2025
So the message is clear: BYU has no problem running the ball with Bachmeier. And with questions at running back after LJ Martin, Bachmeier is BYU’s most reliable runner outside of Martin.
It will be intriguing to see how many designed runs BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick dials up for Bear, and how many Bachmeier improvises by turning to his legs.
On the flip side, Noah Fifita is an improved runner, having rushed for three touchdowns this season, but it would be surprising if he ran the ball 15 times like Bachmeier did at Colorado.
Bear’s legs are valuable against an Arizona defense that hasn’t given up a passing touchdown yet this season.
2. What should BYU do with Jack Kelly?
BYU linebacker Jack Kelly was promoted to “Questionable” from “Doubtful” on Friday night in the availability report. That means there’s a 50% chance that Kelly, who suffered an upper-body injury against West Virginia, could play today.
Should BYU give him the week off and let Ace Kaufusi get the start to avoid risking further injury? On the flip side, it’s undeniable how valuable Kelly is to this defense.
BYU linebackers coach Justin Ena told KSL Sports this week that Kelly practiced throughout the week.
Playing Kelly becomes a big question for a couple of reasons. One, is that BYU is undefeated right now. Two, the rivalry game against Utah is looming next week.
We will see what happens today.
One Score Prediction for BYU vs Arizona
BYU has won 16 of its last 18 games. Think about that. For a program that many continue to wonder, “How good are they?” BYU has consistently shown since last year that, no matter the circumstances, they find ways to win games.
This will be a tough game against Arizona. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if Arizona won this game. I’ll call for the Wildcats to have a fourth-quarter lead, but BYU QB Bear Bachmeier leads a fourth-quarter game-winning drive to extend BYU’s perfect record for another week.
Score Prediction: BYU 27, Arizona 24
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.
Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.
