Setting the Table
In 1992, a No. 8-ranked Colorado team rolled into Lincoln to face an equally No. 8-ranked Nebraska squad. The result? A 52–7 shellacking courtesy of a freshman named Tommie Frazier and a Cornhusker unit that outgained the Buffs 428–144. Until last weekend, that was the toughest game I’d ever watched.
Last weekend, though, was something else. Terrible. Awful. Grotesque, even. Defensive line coach George Helow called the Buffs’ surrendering of 422 rushing yards to a backup-QB-led Utah team “embarrassing.” You think?
The good news: that 1992 Buffs team bounced back, winning its final three conference games and nearly toppling Syracuse in the Fiesta Bowl before falling 26–22. The bad news: Kordell Stewart, Koy Detmer, Michael Westbrook, Ted Johnson, Greg Biekert, and the rest of that crew aren’t walking through the Champions Center door anytime soon.
Looking ahead, the next two games — home vs. Arizona and on the road at West Virginia — are must-wins for Coach Prime. This is a true sink-or-swim moment for his strategy of annually bringing in the best free agents, his so-called Louie luggage, rather than developing high-school recruits over time. Both games are winnable. Both will be Big 12 fistfights.
About Arizona
The Wildcats roll into Boulder at 4-3, but could easily be 6-1. They started 3-0 with wins over Hawaii, Weber State, and Kansas State, before suffering their lone blowout, a 39-14 loss at Iowa State. After blasting Oklahoma State, they dropped two heartbreakers:
- BYU (Double OT) – Cats Head Coach Brent Brennan took heat for kneeling with 19 seconds left and two timeouts in regulation.
- Houston – The Cats tied it late, only to watch the Cougars drill a game-winner as time expired.
The Offense
Brennan, formerly of San José State, is known for a high-octane, ball-secure offense. His scheme is a spread-to-run system, heavy on pre-snap motion, mismatches, and tempo. In year one at Arizona, he inherited a roster after the transfer portal closed, yet still managed to win four games.
Arizona’s offense leans on its biggest strength: quarterback Noah Fifita. Despite being on his third offensive coordinator in four years, he’s been damn good for a long time.
2023 (under Jedd Fisch):
- 72% completions
- 2,869 yards
- 25 TDs / 6 INTs
2024 (first year under Brennan):
- 61% completions
- 2,958 yards
- 18 TDs / 12 INTs
2025 (through seven games):
- 66% completions
- 1,829 yards
- 17 TDs / 4 INTs
His best statistical outing of the year came against Oklahoma State (28-of-38, 376 yards, 5 TDs). In a losing effort against Houston, he was nearly flawless, completing 24-of-26 for 269 yards and 2 TDs.
Fifita’s favorite targets are fast: UT-Chattanooga transfer Javin Whatley (32 receptions for 370 yards and 3 touchdowns), and Oregon transfer Kris Hutson (24 receptions, 318 yards, 2 touchdowns).
Brennan’s offense has flourished after hiring former Marshall Offensive Coordinator Seth Doege into the same role at Arizona and rebuilding the backfield, O-line, and receiver corps. Transfer running backs Ismail Mahdi(77 carries, 445 yards, 1 touchdown) and Quincy Craig (30 carries, 209 yards, 1 touchdown) have transformed what was the Big 12’s second-worst rushing attack into one of its most physical.
The Defense
Brennan and his staff overhauled the defense, particularly the secondary and linebacker rooms, through the portal. The results have been dramatic:
- 3rd-best pass defense in the Big 12
- 2nd-most interceptions in the conference
The Cats’ defense is anchored by UT Martin transfer DL Deshawn McKnight, a 6’3”, 300-pound wrecking ball. McKnight leads Arizona with eight tackles for loss and is as disruptive as they come, a relentless force in the middle who can single-handedly wreck a drive. You can bet he’s licking his chops at the thought of facing a Buffs offensive line that looked porous at best against the Utes.
In the back end, the Cats’ defense is led by junior linebacker Taye Brown (46 tackles, 1 interception), and redshirt senior defensive back Dalton Johnson (52 tackles, 1 interception).
Special Teams
The Cats’ special teams are a work-in-progress. Kicker Michael Salgado-Medina is 11-of-16 on the year, but just 1-for-5 from 40–49 yards.
Final Thoughts
Arizona isn’t flashy, but they’re balanced, physical, and well-coached. Brennan’s crew won’t beat themselves: they protect the ball, disguise their looks, and play with discipline. If the Buffs’ front seven can’t generate pressure and force Fifita off-platform, he’ll carve them up with crossers and quick-outs all night. Expect Brennan to test CU’s linebackers with misdirection and tempo early. Still, back in Folsom, the Buffs should keep it interesting.
Prediction
Arizona 38, Colorado 31. Another heartbreaker, but at least this time the Buffs go down swinging.
Wnat to waste more time in the BuffsBlog Blogosphere? Check out this story on the aftermath of CU vs. Utah (a game we all wish we could forget about):
Thanks for this. HUGE game. Despite last weekend we’re still fighting for a bowl. Let’s Go Buffs!