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BYU returns from its first bye week of the season, standing tall as one of the last 12 unbeaten teams in the FBS and the only squad with multiple victories over currently ranked opponents. The Cougars shocked a then-No. 13 Kansas State team with a flurry of turnovers, culminating in a decisive 38-9 victory. Earlier in September, they managed to hold a high-octane SMU offense out of the end zone, securing an 18-15 win against a team that now appears in the Associated Press poll. This remarkable start marks BYU's fifth 5-0 beginning in the 40 years since their 1984 national championship season, propelling them to No. 14 in the AP poll—their highest ranking since 2020.

This Saturday, BYU’s top-rated defense will face a significant challenge from one of the most formidable offensive duos in the conference as they host Arizona, which currently holds a 3-2 overall record and stands 1-1 in Big 12 play. Adding to the excitement, BYU will feature FOX's "Big Noon Kickoff" pregame show for the first time in the school's history. Arizona, amid an up-and-down season, recently clinched their first 10-win season in a decade and savored their school-record winning streak. However, after head coach Jedd Fisch was poached by Washington, Arizona started the season with losses to Kansas State (31-7) and Texas Tech (28-22) but rebounded with an impressive 23-10 victory over Utah.

Arizona’s offense is spearheaded by quarterback Noah Fifita and receiver Tetairoa McMillan, who is widely regarded as the top receiver in the Big 12. Despite a slight dip in production this year, Fifita remains dynamic, and McMillan has been unstoppable, leading the Big 12 in receiving yards and ranking second in the Power Four with 133 yards per game. On defense, BYU has experienced a stunning transformation under coordinator Jay Hill. Rising from last year's mid-tier ranking, the Cougars now boast the best defense in the conference. Linebackers Harrison Taggart and Jack Kelly have combined for 45 tackles, and Tyler Batty has been a disruptive force, contributing to the impressive seven defenders who have logged interceptions.

On the offensive side, BYU has been somewhat average, lagging below the Big 12 average in yards per play and rushing yards per carry but ranking sixth in quarterback rating. Quarterback Jake Retzlaff has been instrumental, extending plays with his legs. The bye week proved timely as it allowed key running backs LJ Martin and Hinckley Ropati to recover from injuries and return to the lineup.

Although Arizona has attracted attention mostly for its quarterback-receiver duo, their defense has quietly been effective. The Wildcats have managed to hold their five opponents below their season averages in yards per play and put up a solid performance against Utah, securing two interceptions and seven tackles for loss while preventing any fourth down conversions. Historically, BYU and Arizona have a storied rivalry that dates back to their days in the WAC, with the Cougars on a 4-1 run in the series, including a win in their last encounter in 2021.

As the Cougars continue to defy preseason expectations, this game could be a pivotal moment in their season. Arizona’s defense is expected to be a stern test, and with Fifita and McMillan on the prowl, it promises to be a thrilling contest. The prediction: Arizona edges out BYU, 24-21.