It's hard to believe that Arizona was considered one of the Big 12 favorites and a top ten-caliber team entering this season. But it's all gone pear-shaped in Tucson, where the Cats have sputtered under new HC Brent Brennan and have covered the spread just once in nine games. Things seem to be getting worse, too, maybe bottoming out in the 56-12 loss at UCF two weeks ago. It's now five straight losses, and soph QB Noah Fifita (13 TDP, 10 picks in 2024 after 25 TDP and 6 picks last term) is probably wondering why he didn't transfer to Washington along with former Cats coach Jedd Fisch; the offense hasn't worked nearly as good for Brennan and new OC Dino Babers, who has been trying to force the ball too often to top-tier wideout Tetairoa McMillan. The Cougs have their own new coach in Willie Fritz (off of a highly-successful run at Tulane), but there have been signs of improvement, with consecutive wins over Utah and Kansas State reviving bowl hopes. The defense has bucked up, holding four of the last five foes to 20 points or fewer, and the last two wins have been led by playmaker soph backup QB Zeon Chriss. Play Houston