Arizona
Big 12 College Football Team Preview 2024: Arizona Wildcats
When Jedd Fisch first arrived in Tucson, Arizona was coming off a winless 2020 and a financial disaster from the Kevin Sumlin era. That first year, Fisch and the Wildcats took their lumps, finishing 1-11. The next year, Arizona moderately improved to 5-7 with some hints of promise. Then in 2023, Arizona exploded onto the scene, finishing 10-3 and winning its first bowl game since 2015.
But Fisch left for Washington late in the coaching carousel. Coming off that 10-win Alamo Bowl season, Arizona starts over again. San Jose State head coach Brent Brennan comes to town to (hopefully) continue Arizona’s success.
The bones are there, as starting quarterback Noah Fifita and star receiver Tetairoa McMillan return for another year. But a transition year – both in the literal and coaching sense – is a monumental lift. Brennan has his work cut out for him.
Fans of the Big 12 might have paid much attention to Arizona in years past. The program won its 500th game in 2023. Although both members of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), TCU and Arizona never crossed paths in the league. The Wildcats joined the college football ranks in 1899, playing as an independent until 1932 and in the Border Intercollegiate Athletic Association (BIAA) before transitioning to the WAC in 1962.
In 1978, Arizona changed its conference affiliation to the Pac-10 – a step up at the time – with in-state rival Arizona State. Since then, the Wildcats played in its many versions, eventually rebranding to the Pac-12. They were among the four schools to bolt from the Pac-12 in the wake of Oregon and Washington announcing their move to the Big Ten.
During its 35-year tenure in the Pac-12, Arizona won just one conference title (1993). It claims six conference championships – three in the BIAA (1933, ’34, ’41) and two in the WAC (’64, ’73).
A Historic 2023
For just the fourth time in program history, Arizona won 10 games in 2023. After beating Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl, 38-24, Arizona finished ranked 11th in the AP Top 25 and 14th in the College Football Playoff rankings. That was the best finish for Arizona since 2014 (10th) and just the seventh time it finished ranked since joining the Pac-10.
Losses to Mississippi State, Washington, and USC came by a combined 16 points, including two in overtime. The State loss was entirely avoidable, as Week 1 starting QB Jayden de Laura tossed four interceptions. Once Fifita took the reins, Arizona vaulted into elite territory.
The offense finished ninth in the country in points per drive (PPD) scored. The real surprise came on defense, where Arizona improved over 100 spots in PPD, to 27th nationally. Five players went to the NFL, including first-round offensive lineman Jordan Morgan.
Returning a star duo in Fifita and McMillan is a fantastic start for the Wildcats. McMillan finished with 1,236 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, picking up 15.5 yards per reception. At 6-foot-5, he wins 50/50 jump balls; for proof of his truly ridiculous hands, please see below:
Excuse me, Tetairoa McMillan?! — Nick Penticoff (@NickPenticoff) May 12, 2024
pic.twitter.com/HLOyHmfEyT
Fifita returns the third-best passer rating from a season ago, behind Heisman Trophy hopefuls in Jalen Milroe (Alabama) and Dillon Gabriel (Oregon). He threw 23 touchdowns to just five interceptions and just nine of his 297 pass attempts graded as “turnover-worthy,” according to Pro Football Focus (PFF).
But it takes much more than a single QB-WR duo to win football games in the FBS. Fifita returns alongside a talented skill corps that includes WR Montana Lemonious-Craig (359 yards last year) and New Mexico transfer RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt (1,190 yards, 17 TDs). Four starters along the offensive line return, as well. However, without Morgan in both the bowl game and ensuing spring game, the offensive line struggled; Fifita was sacked five times.
Ousted Syracuse head coach Dino Babers joins the staff to call the offense. Babers was the offensive coordinator in Tucson from 1998-2000 and was on staff as early as 1995. In ’98, Arizona ranked 18th in total offense and 15th in scoring (34.7 points per game); in ’99, Babers led Arizona to the third-ranked offense in yards.
While offense grabbed headlines in Tucson last year, the defense came through time and time again. The Wildcats ranked 17th in average point margin (+11.6) thanks to a defense that held five FBS opponents to under 21 points and another two under 25 points.
Four of five starters in the defensive secondary return for 2024. As a unit, the secondary ranked in the top-40 against the pass and, over the last three games, the defense logged the third-most takeaways in the country (11). In total, seven Arizona defenders started for a school last season.
Perhaps the most exciting defensive addition is linebacker Tre Smith, a first-team All-Mountain West selection at San Jose State. He followed Brennan to Tucson after recording 66 tackles, 6.5 of them for a loss.
The strength of the unit comes in that linebacking corps, led by Jacob Manu (116 tackles, most in the Pac-12). Those familiar with college recruiting may recognize the name Justin Flowe, a former five-star linebacker, who returns for Year 5. Throughout an injury-riddled career, Flowe has 47 tackles and 26 run stops.
Longtime Texas and Stanford defensive assistant Duane Akina, who has spent six seasons with Arizona, was elevated to defensive coordinator. Akina was a defensive analyst last season after spending eight seasons as Stanford’s defensive backs coach.
A 10-win team that returns its two stars on offense and seven starting-caliber players is a terrific starting point. The strength of schedule year-over-year is relatively consistent. Arizona’s final strength of schedule, according to ESPN’s FPI, ranked 57th in 2023; this year, it ranks 59th. Should the offensive line come together, this could be another fringe top 10 offense.
Arizona rebuilds its defensive front entirely with transfers. Smith and Syracuse transfer DT Kevon Darton (96 tackles, 12 TFL last two years, 20 starts) do give the front seven strong bones. Fold in experience in the linebacking corps and secondary, and Arizona’s defense should, at least, be decent. However, the transfers do have to come together.
The path to another 9+ win season is pretty clear. The Wildcats should be heavy favorites in two of their three non-conference tilts and favorites in at least five conference games. Road games at Kansas State, Utah, and UCF are very difficult, but no games on this slate classify as “unwinnable.”
With returning talent and a similar schedule, Arizona’s ceiling to start this season is right where they left off last season. The offensive line comes together, the defense remains in the top 30, and the Wildcats are looking at a 10-win season.
The worst-case scenario for Arizona is just as clear as its best case scenario. The offensive line, without its anchor Morgan, doesn’t come together. For evidence of what an offense looks like with a star QB and talented skill corps, but without a competent offensive line, see the 2023 Colorado Buffaloes. Fifita doesn’t do much good on his backside.
The second punch comes in losing Fisch to Washington. In a short tenure with Arizona, Fisch turned the Wildcats around from a 1-16 record to a 10-win season in just three seasons. Brennan was a regular bowl contender at San Jose State – far from an easy task – but even the highs were tempered. He finished just 34-48, including 0-3 in bowl games.
Seeing the offensive line get pushed around in Arizona’s spring game and in the Alamo Bowl is concerning. The unit has to mesh quickly, as back-to-back road trips to Kansas State (Week 3) and Utah (Week 5) will test the mettle of the offensive line right away.
Starting from scratch is difficult for any program. It’s a coaching staff with some Big 12 experience, but not much. As Arizona learns the Big 12, it could take some serious lumps. A worse-case scenario is likely still a bowl berth and the Wildcats likely don’t fall short of 6-6.
|
Date |
Opponent |
|---|---|
|
Aug. 31 |
New Mexico |
|
Sept. 7 |
Northern Arizona (FCS) |
|
Sept. 13 (Friday) |
at Kansas State* |
|
Sept. 21 |
BYE |
|
Sept. 28 |
at Utah |
|
Oct. 5 |
Texas Tech |
|
Oct. 12 |
at BYU |
|
Oct. 19 |
Colorado |
|
Oct. 26 |
West Virginia |
|
Nov. 2 |
at UCF |
|
Nov. 9 |
BYE |
|
Nov. 15 (Friday) |
Houston |
|
Nov. 23 |
at TCU |
|
Nov. 30 |
Arizona State |
*Week 3 against Kansas State is a previously-scheduled non-conference game and will NOT count towards Big 12 standings.
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Believe it or not, the 2026 All-Star Game voting process has already begun, as of Wednesday. Fans who want to see their favorite members of the Arizona Diamondbacks take the field in the midsummer classic this season can begin voting for their stars.
There are certainly some deserving players on this Diamondbacks club, which is currently 32-28 and occupying the third Wild Card sport in the National League.
Here’s how and where you can vote for your hometown heroes:
How to vote for Diamondbacks players to make All-Star Game
Fans can utilize the following link to vote for members of their team on dbacks.com. Fans are permitted to fill out and submit as many as five ballots per day, selecting as many or as few players as they choose.
This period of the fan vote constitutes Phase 1 of All-Star voting, which will run from Wednesday, June 3 through Thursday, June 25 at 9:00 a.m. Arizona time (12:00 p.m. Eastern time).
Following Phase 1, the two overall top vote-getters will receive automatic berths into the All-Star lineups. If those two are not Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge once again, that would be an upset.
When and where is the 2026 All-Star Game?
The 2026 All-Star Game will take place at Citizens Bank Park, home of the Phillies in Philadelphia. All-Star week begins on June 10, with a full slate of activities, before the game is played on Tuesday, July 14 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern time (5:00 p.m. Arizona time).
The full schedule of events are as follows:
- Friday, July 10: HBCU Swingman Classic
- Saturday, July 11: 2026 MLB Draft
- Sunday, July 12: All-Star Sunday, MLB Futures Game, MLBx All-Star 3-on-3
- Monday, July 13: T-Mobile Home Run Derby (8:00 p.m. ET)
- Tuesday, July 14: All-Star Red Carpet, All-Star Game
Which Diamondbacks are deserving All-Stars?
| Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
So, who should Diamondbacks fans vote for? Obviously, you may fill out the ballot however you choose. That can include a full roster of Diamondbacks, regardless of their stats or notoriety this season.
Still, here are some of the top performing D-backs who might have a leg up on an All-Star berth:
OF Corbin Carroll
Corbin Carroll is having another All-Star worthy season. He’s hitting .289/.380/.545 with a .925 OPS and eight home runs, while playing good right field defense. He has the eighth-most bWAR (2.7) among position players, fifth-most in the National League, and third-most among all pure outfielders.
2B Ketel Marte
If Marte wins the NL second base fan vote, it will be his third straight season starting the All-Star game. Despite such a slow start to the year, that feels possible again. Marte is hitting .259/.315/.456 with 10 homers and is playing the best defense of his career.
3B Nolan Arenado
Nolan Arenado is quietly putting together one of his better seasons of the 2020s, slashing .269/.351/.467 with eight homers and flashing his elite third base glove at nearly as good a pace as ever. His name still carries a lot of weight in third base conversations; he’ll get some votes, no matter what.
1B Ildemaro Vargas
Vargas’ bat has cooled down quite a bit since his historic start to 2026. He’s still hitting a sturdy .290/.318/.454, but feels more likely to be considered as a reserve selection than a leading vote-getter.
Honorable Mention: LHP Eduardo Rodriguez
Pitchers are not selected by the fan vote. They are selected by player ballots and the All-Star Game managers. The National League’s manager will be Dave Roberts of the Dodgers, again.
The National League has quite a few talented pitchers, but Eduardo Rodriguez currently holds the fifth-best starting pitcher ERA (2.24) among NL hurlers. It’s going to be difficult to dethrone Christopher Sanchez or Jacob Misiorowski, but Rodriguez could find his way into the pitching pool, especially after his WBC heroics for Team Venezuela.
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Arizona State has added Michael White to its coaching staff for the upcoming 2026-2027 season. White will join the program as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator.
“I am incredibly honored to return to my home state and join this elite program,” White said. “I’m proud to say that I am coming home. I can’t thank Coach Herbie enough for the opportunity to join his incredible staff and help these young athletes grow and develop into the best individuals they can be. There are so many friends and mentors who have left their mark on this program, and I’m excited for the opportunity to leave mine and help take this program to new heights. Go Devils!”
White arrives with the Sun Devils after most recently spending the last three seasons with Alabama as an assistant. The Alabama women finished 11th at the 2026 NCAA Championships while the men were 24th.
Prior to arriving at Alabama, White spent the 2022-2023 season as a volunteer assistant at Wisconsin. He primarily coached the freestyle, breaststroke and distance groups for the Badgers. In addition to coaching the Badgers, he also was an assistant senior coach with the Madison Aquatics Club for the year. He began his coaching career at Juniata College in Pennsylvania as a volunteer assistant from 2019-2021.
White spent his collegiate career at St. Bonaventure in New York. There he was a 7x individual Atlantic-10 champion and swam to three school records as a senior with a 1:47.30 200 IM, 3:52.18 400 IM, and a 1:47.70 200 fly. He also was team captain for two season and helped the team capture the 2014 A-10 team title.
The Scottsdale, Arizona native will return to his home state. He was a 2012 AIA Division I state champion in the 100 breast and 200 IM as a senior for Dobson High School.
White joins the coaching staff led by head coach Herbie Behm, who is already known to be an innovative coach. Behm spoke of White’s innovation as well saying, “Mike is one of the best young coaches in the NCAA. His interview blew me away with the innovative ideas he presented. I can’t wait to start implementing those ideas and continue our growth at ASU.”
Arizona State swept the 2026 Big 12 team titles, and the men went on to finish 4th at 2026 NCAAs while the women were 37th. Rising senior Ilya Kharun captured the NCAA title in the 200 fly with a 1:37.66.
Arizona is ranked 18th in the nation when it comes to racial equality in the classroom, according to WalletHub.
The personal finance website compiled its 2026 list of Best States for Racial Equality in Education by looking at differences between Black and white students when it comes to test scores, college attainment and high school graduation rates.
The rankings are based on a weighted average of six metrics, but did WalletHub not provide a breakdown of each category.
However, statistics from the Center for the Future of Arizona support the idea that Arizona has work to do when it comes to racial equality. African American students in Arizona have an average college attainment rate of 38%, while white students have an average rate of 54%.
That difference is also evident in other education areas, with a gap of 11 percentage points between Black and white high schoolers in graduation rate.
WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo called the high school graduation rate the most “alarming” data set for the Arizona. He said if the study included the state’s large Hispanic population, the results might have been different.
“It would be interesting, if those numbers were included, where the gaps would be. Again, Arizona has a high Hispanic population, as [does] New Mexico, and New Mexico was at number three. So maybe Arizona could take a look at what their neighbors are doing there to kind of bridge those gaps,” he said.
How can Arizona increase racial equality in the classroom?
Lupo said Arizona can boost its ranking and improve racial equality in schools by increasing the representation and funding for public education.
“One thing [to] do is to build more diversity within the school system. More Black administrators and more Black teachers kind of create more of a familiarity for Black students and more mentors. … Increased funding and a more concerted effort to increase diversity among the school systems, I think, would go a long way in bridging that gap,” he said.
WalletHub ranked Wyoming, West Virginia and New Mexico as the best states for racial equality in the classroom, with New Jersey, Connecticut and Wisconsin at the bottom of the list.
Funding for this journalism is made possible by the Arizona Local News Foundation.
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