2025 College Football Big 12 Team Previews: Arizona Wildcats

Team: Arizona
Mascot: Wildcats
Student Population: 53,187
Established: 1885
Motto: Upwards
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Head Coach: Brent Brennan
Offensive Coordinator: Seth Doege
Defensive Coordinator: Danny Gonzales
2024 Record: 4-8

Rankings

SP+: 60
FPI: 69
Kelly Ford: 65

Power Rankings

CBS Sports: 14

The Wildcats came into 2024 with expecting to contend, but instead missed a bowl game under first-year coach Brent Brennan. Now, the vast majority of their best players are gone, including a handful that eventually followed Jedd Fisch to Washington a year later. Brennan has a chance to put his imprint on the program, but there’s countless red flags. (+6500)

SB Nation: 13

Man…a rough offseason for the Wildcats. The NFL Draft and transfer portal wreaked havoc on Arizona, losing their top receiver, two offensive lineman, cornerback and linebacker this offseason. QB Noah Fifita remains, which is a big plus, but his play fell off in the first year under head coach Brent Brennan. The hope is that Fifita grows in his second year and portal additions such as RB Ismail Mahdi and WR Kris Hutson should help boost that growth. The Wildcats hit the portal hard to help both sides of the ball, and the additions on offense could help quickly.

The defense is relying a lot on the FCS to FBS pipeline, though. On top of that, the coaching staff was completely revamped, making this look like another rebuild year.

24/7 Sports: 16

Quarterback Noah Fifita is back for a third season as the starter at Arizona, joined by 11 other players who made at least six starts last season. But second-year head coach Brent Brennan needs to get more consistent production across the board to be considered a threat in the Big 12 for 2025.

Transfer Class Rankings

24/7 Sports: National Rank 52 | Big 12 Rank 11 (27 Players)
Rivals: National Rank 21 | Big 12 Rank 6 (26 Players)

Miscellaneous

Bovada Win Totals: 4.5

Athlon Big 12 Predictions: 15

Brennan took steps to address last year’s setback by hiring a new play-caller (Seth Doege) and reshaped the roster through the portal. A handful of those acquisitions came along the offensive line to bolster a thin unit, and at receiver to alleviate the loss of standout Tetairoa McMillan. But if the Wildcats are going to at least return to a bowl, quarterback Noah Fifita must get back on track after an up-and-down sophomore campaign last year.

Change is also coming on defense. Former New Mexico coach Danny Gonzales takes over as the defensive signal-caller after Arizona allowed 33.2 points in Big 12 play last season. Injuries hit this group hard in ‘24, which allows for a rebound with better luck this fall. The secondary should be a strength with Treydan Stukes, Dalton Johnson, and Genesis Smith returning. Improving the play of the front is critical for Gonzales after Arizona allowed 180.5 rushing yards in Big 12 play last season.