Arizona's visit to Provo will give BYU an early answer about how much of last season carried into 2026. The Cougars finished 12-2 in 2025. Arizona went 9-4. Their meeting in Tucson was decided in double overtime, with BYU escaping 33-27 after the Wildcats forced the game well past regulation. This time the matchup is at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Sept. 12.

The preseason numbers favor BYU, but not by enough to dismiss Arizona. Final preseason SP+ placed the Cougars No. 21 nationally with a +14.9 rating and the Wildcats No. 31 at +9.5. BYU ranked ahead of Arizona in all three components: offense, defense and special teams.

BYU and Arizona meet at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Sept. 12

  • Overall: BYU No. 21 (+14.9); Arizona No. 31 (+9.5)
  • Offense: BYU No. 19 (32.9); Arizona No. 31 (31.1)
  • Defense: BYU No. 22 (18.3); Arizona No. 35 (21.2)
  • Special teams: BYU No. 41 (+0.3); Arizona No. 113 (-0.5)

That 5.4-point overall gap matters. So does the setting. The matchup itself explains why the Cougars should be favored — and why Noah Fifita gives Arizona a real chance to make it uncomfortable.

Fifita owns the passing edge; Bachmeier changes the run game

Fifita enters 2026 as perhaps the most accomplished traditional quarterback BYU will face during the first half of its schedule. He threw for 3,228 yards and 29 touchdowns with six interceptions last season, completing 64.1% of his passes. Arizona Athletics also lists him as the active FBS leader with 73 career touchdown passes, and he was the preseason All-Big 12 selection at quarterback.

Bear Bachmeier's passing résumé is shorter. As a true freshman, he completed 64.9% of his throws for 3,033 yards and 15 touchdowns. His legs close much of the gap. Bachmeier ran for 527 yards and set a BYU quarterback record with 11 rushing touchdowns.

The 2025 meeting showed the contrast. Fifita threw for 219 yards and two touchdowns. Bachmeier passed for 172, then added 89 yards and two scores on the ground, including the winning touchdown in double overtime.

Arizona can ask more of its quarterback through the air. BYU can force a defense to account for an extra runner on every read-option look. Over four quarters, that changes the numbers in the box.

LJ Martin is the matchup's proven difference-maker

BYU has the clearest personnel advantage at running back. LJ Martin ran for 1,305 yards at 5.5 yards per carry in 2025, finishing 11th nationally in rushing and earning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year. He enters this season as the league's preseason offensive player of the year and a preseason All-American.

Arizona has useful depth. Kedrick Reescano rushed for 396 yards and nine touchdowns last season, while Quincy Craig added 364 yards at 5.6 per carry. Neither offers Martin's record as a lead back.

The Wildcats have already seen what that can mean. Martin ran for 162 yards in Tucson, and BYU finished with 258 rushing yards. Arizona knew BYU wanted to run and still could not consistently stop it.

Both offensive lines have something to prove

BYU's line is being adjusted rather than rebuilt. All-Big 12 center Bruce Mitchell returns, as does right tackle Andrew Gentry after starting all 14 games last season. Kyle Sfarcioc and Sonny Makasini have starting experience, and Washington transfer Paki Finau earned the starting job at left tackle.

Arizona's front is better than its profile suggests. The Wildcats allowed 308.5 total yards per game and recorded 30 sacks in 2025, with veteran Tre Smith anchoring the defensive line. The test is whether that group can handle Martin while keeping Bachmeier from escaping the edge.

On the other side, Arizona brings back four projected starters who have started games for the Wildcats. Alexander Doost has started 22 consecutive games. Zachary Henning arrives at center, and Rhino Tapa'atoutai has moved inside to guard.

BYU counters with Keanu Tanuvasa, a preseason All-Big 12 selection, and an experienced interior rotation. The Cougars do not need to blitz on every passing down, but they do need enough inside pressure to move Fifita off his spot. He is at his best when he can operate on schedule.

BYU's defensive continuity is one of its clearest advantages against Arizona

BYU's defensive continuity could decide the game

The Cougars are deepest at linebacker. Isaiah Glasker and Siale Esera return, and Cal transfer Cade Uluave joins the group after earning first-team All-ACC honors. Ace Kaufusi, Miles Hall and Nusi Taumoepeau give BYU additional rotation options.

Arizona has an excellent centerpiece in Taye Brown, who made 93 tackles with 8.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in 2025. Brown earned third-team All-Big 12 recognition. The difference is depth. BYU can roll more players through the position without asking one linebacker to carry the unit. Esera made a career-high 16 tackles against Arizona last year, and Glasker intercepted Fifita near the goal line.

The secondary comparison also leans toward BYU because of turnover on Arizona's roster. The Wildcats allowed only 165.3 passing yards per game and intercepted 22 passes last season, but Ayden Garnes, Dalton Johnson, Treydan Stukes and Genesis Smith all landed on NFL rosters this summer. Nebraska transfer Malcolm Hartzog helps, although Arizona must still rebuild much of the group responsible for last year's turnover production.

BYU returns more of its back end. Evan Johnson led the Big 12 with five interceptions and added eight pass breakups. Faletau Satuala led BYU in tackles, intercepted three passes, made 7.5 tackles for loss and forced two fumbles while earning All-America recognition. Arizona may develop another strong secondary. Asking it to settle in against Bachmeier, BYU's tight ends and play-action shots in Provo during Week 2 is a difficult assignment.

Special teams remain unsettled

Neither staff has complete certainty here. BYU must replace record-setting kicker Will Ferrin and its starting punter. Matthias Dunn and Fuller Shurtz are among the players competing for those jobs. Arizona returns Michael Salgado-Medina, who made 19 of 31 field-goal attempts last season and went 5-for-12 from 40 to 49 yards. The Wildcats also replace their primary punter and several specialists.

SP+ reflects the concern, ranking Arizona No. 113 on special teams and BYU No. 41. That is a projection, not a guarantee, especially with BYU breaking in new specialists.

BYU's ground game will be central to the rematch with Arizona

The call

Arizona is good enough to win. Fifita's experience and accuracy give the Wildcats an answer if BYU starts slowly, and last year's double-overtime game should prevent the Cougars from treating this like a comfortable September date. Arizona held opponents to 19.3 points and 308.5 yards per game in 2025. Its 9-4 record was earned.

BYU nevertheless owns more favorable matchups. Martin is the best back in the game. Bachmeier makes the quarterback run part of Arizona's assignment. The Cougars are deeper at linebacker and return more proven production in the secondary. SP+ also gives BYU the advantage on offense, defense and special teams before home field is considered.

The warning for Arizona is the old film: 258 BYU rushing yards in Tucson, including 162 from Martin and 89 from Bachmeier. The Wildcats must solve that problem without giving up easy throws behind an inexperienced secondary. Fifita should keep Arizona in the game. BYU's run game and defensive continuity should give the Cougars control late. Early prediction: BYU 31, Arizona 23. Sources: BYU Athletics; University of Arizona Athletics; CFB Update preseason SP+; Yahoo Sports.