BYU vs. Arizona: How to watch, listen to or stream the game

BYU (5-0, 2-0 Big 12) at Arizona (4-1, 1-2 Big 12) at

• Kickoff: Saturday, 6 p.m. MDT
• Venue: Arizona Stadium (capacity: 50,782)
• TV: ESPN
• Livestream: ESPN.com/watch
• Radio: KSL 1160 AM/102.7 FM/BYU Radio Sirius XM 143.
• Series: BYUleads, 13-12-1

The trends

For BYU: The Cougars are 5-0, having won their second-straight Big 12 contest in blowout fashion against West Virginia last week.

But the Cougars’ victory over the Mountaineers was far from perfect — the turnover bug finally bit BYU in the form of an interception and two fumbles, and star linebackers Jack Kelly and Isaiah Glasker exited the contest early with injuries.

Despite throwing his first career interception, true freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier had arguably his finest performance thus far against West Virginia. Through five games, Bachmeier has completed 68.7% of his passes, thrown for 1,048 yards, ran for another 206 yards and scored 12 total touchdowns, blossoming into a legitimate difference maker for the Cougars.

BYU’s run game remains superb, ranking No. 15 nationally at 234 yards per game and No. 14 at 5.8 yards per carry as a team. The Cougars’ passing game is improving as well, with Bachmeier averaging 259 yards per game over the past three weeks.

Defensively, BYU boasts one of the top units in the country. The Cougars have allowed just 12.2 points per game and forced nine turnovers, though they have had minimal pass rush success and Kelly’s potential absence would be a major blow moving forward.

BYU currently sits at No. 18 in the AP Top 25 as the second-highest ranked Big 12 team in the poll.

For Arizona: The Wildcats are fresh off a 41-13 rout of lowly Oklahoma State, sitting at 4-1 and only having lost to a ranked Iowa State team on the road.

Arizona’s offense has averaged 33.2 points per game thus far, an improvement of more than 11 points from last year’s dismal 4-8 finish.

Quarterback Noah Fifita has bounced back nicely from a disappointing 2024, currently having thrown for 1,341 yards and 13 touchdowns as 16 different Wildcat players have caught passes.

Defensively, Arizona is allowing just 15.6 points and 244.8 yards per game, with the Wildcat secondary yet to surrender a passing touchdown.

What to watch for

The most important thing to track is the weather in Tucson. Heavy hurricane rainfall is being projected for Saturday, which could drastically alter what happens on the potentially wet and slippery field.

BYU appears better equipped to brave the elements thanks to its excellent run game, so should precipitation come into play, pay attention to how Arizona adjusts its typically pass-happy offense and how both teams attempt to protect the football.

Bachmeier will be tested against the strong Wildcat secondary, so keep an eye on that matchup and how BYU tries to attack through the air. Perhaps the Cougars will record the first passing score against Arizona in 2025.

As for BYU’s defense, the Cougars may not face a better passing QB this year than Fifita, and they may have to do it without the services of their leading sack-getter in Jack Kelly. Evan Johnson, Tre Alexander and Tanner Wall have been solid in pass coverage lately, so watch for how they attempt to keep Fifita in check — and if BYU can pressure him at all.

Key player

Noah Fifita, junior, quarterback, Arizona. When BYU defeated Arizona in 2024, the Cougars did so by terrorizing Fifita.

BYU intercepted the Wildcat QB three times — only one of just three games in his career where he threw more than one pick — in what is still arguably his worst collegiate outing.

But Fifita has improved substantially since then, and getting revenge against the Cougars will surely be on his mind.

It will be very difficult for Arizona to upset BYU if Fifita doesn’t play well. Conversely, if the Cougars can’t pressure Fifita, they could have trouble containing the Wildcats. He is the textbook definition of an “X-factor” for Saturday’s action.

Quotable

“We have a great Arizona team that we’re going to be going against, and they’re led by Coach (Brent) Brennan, who’s one of my good friends, and so I know they’re going to have their team ready to roll. Nothing’s going to be easy in the Big 12.

“Noah Fifita is a great quarterback. He can sling the ball, and he’s very decisive in where he goes with it. He’s got a bunch of receivers that he can throw to and an O-line that will take care of him, so we have to find ways to disrupt that.

“With all the attention that the offense usually gets in college football, you can’t forget about their defense, too. Danny Gonzales is doing a great job running that defense. They tackle well. They do fundamental things the right way, and then they’re super physical. Their entire team is physical. It’s going to take the best out of us.” — BYU coach Kalani Sitake

“We know (BYU) really well and they have a great program. Any time you have a chance to play a great program coming off a win, let’s go. It is going to be a big-time football game. I am excited to see the city of Tucson show out. … We are looking for Arizona Stadium to be the No. 1 game-day venue in college football in the whole country next Saturday.

“... I would also ask our fans, let’s be respectful in this thing. We’re better than (being disrespectful). Let’s be here and let’s see a great game. Let’s cheer on the Wildcats with everything we got. Let’s make it incredibly hard on BYU, but let’s be respectful in the process.”— Arizona coach Brent Brennan

Next up

• BYU: vs. Utah on Oct. 18
• Arizona: at Houston on Oct. 18

BYU schedule

• Aug. 30 — defeated Portland State, 69-0
• Sept. 6 — defeated Stanford, 27-3
• Sept. 20 — defeated East Carolina, 34-13
• Sept. 27 — defeated Colorado, 24-21
• Oct. 3 — defeated West Virginia, 38-24
• Oct. 18 — Utah
• Oct. 25 — at Iowa State
• Nov. 8 — at Texas Tech
• Nov. 15 — TCU
• Nov. 22 — at Cincinnati
• Nov. 29 — UCF