Arizona's 24-Point Streak Meets Texas Tech's Home Fortress
The Wildcats carry a five-game winning streak into Lubbock, while Cincinnati aims to become the first unranked Big 12 team to beat two top-10 opponents in consecutive weeks.
By Adriana Abebe ·
Arizona enters Saturday's noon ET matchup at No. 13 Texas Tech with a five-game winning streak averaging 24 points. The Wildcats, ranked 22nd, have not lost since a 33-27 double-overtime defeat to No. 8 BYU. Their current 6-1 record represents the best start for the program since 2014, a season where coach Rich Rodriguez led the team to 10 wins in the Pac-12 Conference.
Texas Tech seeks to end its own losing trend after falling 37-24 at Cincinnati last week. The Red Raiders are at home, where they have won 11 straight games, falling one victory short of the school record set in 1942. Under coach Joey McGuire, the team holds a 16-4 home record against Big 12 opponents over five seasons. Last year, a similar early loss did not derail the Red Raiders, who went on to win six straight games and claim their first Big 12 championship before advancing to the College Football Playoff.
The game pits Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita against a Texas Tech defense that has returned five interceptions for touchdowns in its last four contests. The fourth-year starter has thrown for 2,064 yards with 18 touchdowns and four interceptions this season. The outcome will determine whether the Wildcats extend their hot streak or if the Red Raiders reclaim their home dominance.
In another high-profile Big 12 contest, No. 6 Utah visits Cincinnati on Saturday at 3:45 p.m. ET. The Bearcats host the Utes after defeating Texas Tech for their first home victory over a top-10 team in 20 years. No unranked Big 12 team has ever defeated top-10 opponents in back-to-back weeks. Utah is 7-0 for the first time since 2010 and holds the longest active FBS winning streak at 13 games. The Utes beat then-No. 14 Houston 21-13 last week to secure their ninth consecutive Big 12 win.
Cincinnati's offense remains a threat on the ground. Cole Tabb rushed for 173 yards and a 58-yard touchdown in the win over Texas Tech. That performance broke a trend where the Red Raiders had not allowed a rushing touchdown or a 100-yard rusher since 2024. Utah counters with a defense that leads the conference, allowing only 88.3 rushing yards per game.
The conference features six Top 25 teams for the first time since 2012. No. 8 BYU, which has not lost consecutive games since late 2024, hosts Arizona State. TCU, which allows 13.9 points and 264 total yards per game, faces Kansas. Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker, who has thrown for over 300 yards in six straight games, plays at Iowa State. Colorado enters a home game against Kansas State with a nine-game conference losing streak.
