FBS-CFB Game Preview: BYU Cougars (5-0) vs. Arizona Wildcats (4-1)

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Venue & Game Details

Stadium: Arizona Stadium (Capacity: 50,782)

Location: Tucson, Arizona

Kickoff Time: 5:00 PM MST / 8:00 PM ET

Broadcast: ESPN2

Weather Forecast (Tucson, AZ)

Conditions: Warm evening, partly cloudy

Kickoff Temp: 79°F (26°C), cooling into the upper 60s by the 4th quarter

Wind: 5–10 mph, light breeze

Precipitation: 10–15% chance of scattered showers

Impact: Minimal; excellent conditions for both passing and rushing games.

Injury Report

BYU Cougars

LB Jack Kelly – Doubtful (shoulder, key defensive leader)

LB Isaiah Glasker – Questionable (upper body, limited vs. WVU)

RB Sione Moa – OUT (long-term injury)

RB Enoch Nawahine – OUT (ankle)

DB Tommy Prassas – Questionable (nickel back, missed WVU game)

Arizona Wildcats

RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt – OUT (eligibility)

RB Rayshon Luke – OUT (redshirting)

WR Reymello Murphy – OUT (undisclosed)

DB Treydan Stukes – OUT (ACL, season-ending)

(BYU’s linebacker depth is a concern; Arizona is thin at RB and DB.)

Key Player Matchups

QB Bear Bachmeier (BYU) vs. Arizona Secondary

Bachmeier: 1,048 yards, 7 TDs, 1 INT, 68.7% completion.

Arizona Pass Defense: #11 nationally (147.2 YPG allowed), has yet to allow a passing TD this season.

RB LJ Martin (BYU) vs. Arizona Front Seven

Martin: 490 yards, 3 TDs, 6.4 YPC.

Arizona Run Defense: #25 nationally (97.6 YPG allowed).

QB Noah Fifita (Arizona) vs. BYU Pass Defense

Fifita: 1,341 yards, 13 TDs, 3 INTs, 64.6% completion.

BYU Pass Defense: #12 nationally (147.4 YPG allowed).

WR Chase Roberts (BYU) vs. CB Tacario Davis (Arizona)

Roberts: 395 yards, 3 TDs, averaging 19.8 YPC.

Davis: Long, physical corner, NFL prospect.

WR Jayin Whatley (Arizona) vs. BYU Safeties

Whatley: 316 yards, 3 TDs.

BYU Safeties: Raider Damuni leads a unit that has 6 INTs this season.

Recent Team Form

BYU Cougars

Last game: Defeated West Virginia 38-24.

Offense: 451.8 YPG (#27), 38.4 PPG (#21).

Defense: 239.6 YPG allowed (#8), 12.2 PPG allowed (#6).

Strength: Elite defense, balanced rushing attack.

Weakness: Injuries at linebacker, occasional offensive inconsistency.

Arizona Wildcats

Last game: Defeated Oklahoma State 41-13.

Offense: 430 YPG (#43), 33.2 PPG (#49).

Defense: 244.8 YPG allowed (#10), 15.6 PPG allowed (#19).

Strength: Top-15 defense, QB Fifita’s efficiency.

Weakness: Rushing offense (#87 nationally, 143.8 YPG).

Series History

All-Time Record: BYU leads 13-12-1 Winsipedia][18].

Current Streak: BYU has won 4 straight (2016–2024).

Last Meeting: 2024 – BYU 41, Arizona 19 (Provo).

At Tucson: Arizona leads 9-6-1.

Arizona Last Win: 2008 Las Vegas Bowl (31-21).

Betting Trends

BYU:

3-2 ATS this season.

5-0 SU in last 5 games.

4-0 ATS in last 4 vs. Arizona.

Arizona:

3-1 ATS this season.

4-1 SU in last 5 games.

1-4 ATS in last 5 vs. ranked opponents.

Totals:

BYU: 3 of 5 games Over.

Arizona: 2 of 5 games Over.

Last 3 head-to-head: 2 Overs, 1 Under.

Historical Betting Results

2024: BYU -7, covered vs. Arizona (41-19).

2021: BYU -12, covered (24-16 in Las Vegas).

2018: BYU +11, upset win (28-23 in Tucson).

2016: BYU +2.5, upset win (18-16 in Glendale).

2008: Arizona +3, upset win (31-21 in Las Vegas Bowl).

Projected Score: BYU 27, Arizona 23

Game Odds

BYU Cougars                      – 2.5

Arizona Wildcats             47.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, October 10, 2025