As I was thinking about BYU Football during the bye week, I saw an ad for Fox's Big Noon Saturday. I thought to myself "What if they came to Provo? Would they come to Provo? Then, as I was looking through my Facebook feed I saw it, Big Noon Saturday is coming to Provo for the Arizona game! I was overjoyed. BYU is finally getting the recognition it deserves!
Excitement aside, this will be a tough test for the #14 Cougars. BYU barely beat Baylor, needing a last-minute interception from Crew Wakely to get the victory. BYU must stay aggressive for the entire football game if they want to beat Arizona. A point-hungry offense and tight defense will be necessary for a win in Provo. Mix that with a loud fanbase and 4,551 feet of elevation and this is going to be a good game.
Arizona is reeling from a Week 5 loss in Tucson against Texas Tech. BYU will be feeling confident that they can hand Arizona their third loss of the season. However, the Wildcats knocked off Utah in Week 4, stunning the entire country. Utah was undefeated and if BYU isn't careful, the same thing could happen to them.
Arizona will be looking to spoil the party in Provo after a home loss. The Wildcats will be looking to right the ship, and BYU seems like the best team to do it with. BYU must keep their heads in the game, as the Arizona team can be hard to beat. Add on Big Noon Saturday and this could be a big win or a big bust for the Cougars. I have created a list of things to watch, some keys to the game for our true blue Cougars.
Pre-Game Notes for the BYU Cougars
BYU has done well this year. We are 5-0 and have defeated the likes of SMU and Kansas State to earn the #14 ranking. Now heading into Week 7, the Cougars want to become bowl-eligible. Jay Hill's defense has proven time and time again that they can bend but not break, with Crew Wakely coming up with a game-winning interception on a pass thrown into double coverage. After poor second-half play, the Cougars escaped Waco with the win.
With an offense that is starting to find its grove and a full complement of running backs, BYU looks dangerous. If the Cougars can remain aggressive, this could be a successful season. The Cougs were initially picked to finish 3-9, but have come out strong.
Rise and shout, Cougar Nation
BYU Pre-Game Checklist
- BYU's offense has firepower but needs to stay aggressive throughout the game to have a real shot at winning.
- BYU's defense struggles at containing mobile quarterbacks. They will need to keep Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita in the pocket and make him nervous enough to turn the ball over.
- It is a day game with national attention. BYU will need to shake off the pressure and focus on playing their best.
Pre-Game Notes for the Arizona Wildcats
Arizona seems to be a team that cannot figure themselves out. One week they are cruising past Utah and the next they are imploding against Texas Tech. Much like Jekyll and Hyde, Arizona is a team with two very different identities. The Wildcats will need to show their strong side if they are going to win in a hostile environment like Provo.
With wins against Utah, New Mexico, and Northern Arizona, The Wildcats have shown that they can play well. However, with losses to Kansas and Texas Tech, the Cats have shown that they can also struggle. The Wildcats will need to dig deep if they want to upset the #14 BYU Cougars.
Arizona Pre-Game Checklist
- Arizona has a potent dual-threat attack with quarterback Noah Fifita and running back Tetairoa McMillan providing big plays. They will have to be aggressive against a strong BYU defense.
-The Wildcats have shown weakness on defense. BYU plays aggressively and Arizona will need to stay tight.
-The Wildcats are coming to a tough environment in Provo. They will need to silence the crowd early to have the best chance at winning.