Top 25 Countdown 2024: Big 12-Bound Arizona Wildcats Check in at No. 23
- Quarterback Noah Fifita is a pro prospect and Heisman Trophy contender for Arizona.
- Can a new coach lead Arizona to a Big 12 title?
- Top receiver Tetaiora McMillan and leading tackler Jacob Manu are also returning for Arizona.
- Check out the reasons why Arizona is sitting at No. 23 in the BetUS list of the Top 25 college football teams in 2024.
Other than seeing head coach Jedd Fisch leave to become the head coach at former conference rival Washington and Arizona joining the Pac-12 exodus by landing in the Big 12, it was a pretty uneventful offseason for the Wildcats.
The good news is that the Big 12 is wide open after 2023 College Football Playoff entrant Texas and fellow perennial Big 12 contender Oklahoma joined the SEC. The college football odds have Arizona as a team to watch in the revamped Big 12.
Arizona ended the 2023 season with seven wins in a row and that included a bowl win against Oklahoma.
With some key players returning on both sides of the ball, Arizona comes in at No. 23 in the BetUS college football countdown.
The college football futures odds have Arizona fifth at +1000 in the odds of winning the Big 12. The Wildcats are priced at +500 to be among the 12 teams invited to take part in the College Football Playoff field with +7500 odds of winning the national championship.
Coach Brett Brennan comes in from San Jose State. He added former Syracuse head coach Dino Babers to run the offense and Duane Akina to be in charge of the defense.
Arizona received three first-place votes and finished fifth in the Big 12 preseason poll.
Which team in the Big 12 Preseason Poll will be the biggest surprise … good or bad? pic.twitter.com/0zA8TphtwS
— Jonathan Martin (@JonathanKMartin) July 30, 2024
Keep reading for more on why the Arizona Wildcats could make some noise in their first season in the Big 12 in 2024.
Arizona Wildcats
- 2023 record: 10-3
- 2023 Pac-12 record: 7-2
- Head coach: Brett Brennan
- Odds to win Big 12 Conference title: +1000
Any talk about the 2024 Arizona Wildcats needs to start with quarterback Noah Fifita. He was in the top 15 nationally in passer rating and in the top 10 in passing yards per game against ranked opponents. After throwing 19 passes in 2022, he completed 72.4% of his passes for 2,869 yards with 25 touchdown passes and six interceptions last season. He is already attracting attention from the pro scouts.
I did a mini deep dive on QB Noah Fifita a few months back and while I’m wildly scared by his HS coach revealing his true height I am and will be officially #TeamFifita
His height = he won’t cost anything more than an early Round 2 pick & HOLY HELL does his arm talent stand out https://t.co/M7PvYJzbgg— Dan Schneier (@DanSchneierNFL) July 30, 2024
Top receiver Tetairoa McMillan is also back after catching 90 passes for 1,402 yards. It doesn’t hurt that four offensive line starters also return.
Linebacker Jacob Manu is back after leading the Pac-12 in tackles while most of the secondary is intact.
Arizona saw cornerback Tacario Davis and offensive lineman Raymond Pulido, who would have been the highest-rated outgoing transfers, both withdraw their names from the transfer portal and return to play for the Wildcats.
The Wildcats added Ole Miss running back Kedrick Reescano, San Jose State edge rusher Tre Smith, New Mexico running back Jacory Crosky-Merritt and Indiana cornerback Jordan Shaw.
However, when head coach Jedd Fisch left Arizona to take over the Washington program, he wasn’t the only one making the trip from Tucson to Seattle.
Cornerback Ephesians Prysock (64 tackles), quarterback Demond Williams, running backs Jordan Washington and Jonah Coleman (team-leading 871 rushing yards), receivers Kevin Green and Audric Harris, and edge rusher Isaiah Ward (four sacks) all transferred to Washington.
Arizona won all three of its games in 2023 when listed by the college football spread as the home favorite and lost just once at home. The Wildcats split their six games as the underdog.
Arizona covered in all six home games and was 7-0 against the spread against ranked teams.
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Arizona 2024 Outlook
Without so many players following their head coach to Washington, Arizona would probably be a little higher in the Big 12 title odds. However, the Big 12 could be the weakest of the power conferences so the Wildcats could make a rather impressive first impression.
Non-conference matchups against New Mexico and Northern Arizona probably won’t prepare the Wildcats for the Big 12 portion of the schedule. It won’t take long to see if Arizona is ready to contend for the Big 12 title
Arizona has even odds to go over eight wins during the regular season. Expect that number to draw plenty of action. Keep an eye on Fifita’s Heisman Trophy odds as well.
Arizona 2024 Schedule
- Aug. 31 vs New Mexico, 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
- Sept. 7 vs Northern Arizona, 10 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
- Sept. 13 at Kansas State, 8 p.m. ET (FOX)
- Sept. 28 at Utah
- Oct. 5 vs Texas Tech
- Oct. 12 at BYU
- Oct. 19 vs Colorado
- Oct. 26 vs West Virginia
- Nov. 2 at UCF
- Nov. 15 vs Houston
- Nov. 23 at TCU
- Nov. 30 vs. Arizona State
Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets.
Questions of the Day
When was the last time Arizona had back-to-back 10-win seasons?
Arizona has never won more than eight games the following season when coming off a 10-win season.
When is the home opener for the Arizona Wildcats?
Arizona’s first game of the season is at home against New Mexico on Aug. 31 at 10:30 p.m. ET. The game will air on ESPN.
