Head coach Brent Brennan enters his third season in Tucson looking to build on a strong 9-4 campaign in 2025 — one of the best records in program history. The question now is whether that success was sustainable or a one-year peak.
The Coach
Brennan is 13-12 overall at Arizona and brings back his full coaching staff, including offensive coordinator Seth Doege and defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales, both of whom made significant impacts in their first season together. Gonzales in particular turned around a struggling defense, cutting yards allowed from 413 per game to 308.5 — second best in the Big 12.
Key Player
Senior quarterback Noah Fifita is the engine of the offense. In his four seasons with the program, he has thrown for more than 9,000 yards and 72 touchdowns. He enters 2026 as one of the more experienced signal-callers in the conference and is on the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy watch list.
Offense
The Wildcats averaged 407 yards and 32 points per game in 2025 and return most of their key pieces, though they must replace leading rusher Ismail Mahdi and top receivers Kris Hutson and Javin Whatley, who exhausted their eligibility. Running backs Kedrick Reescano and Quincy Craig return, and the offensive line — the unit with the most questions — added center Zach Henning via the transfer portal.
Defense
Arizona forced 31 turnovers in 2025, tied for the most in the Big 12. Linebacker Taye Brown, who recorded 93 tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss, is the defensive anchor heading into camp. The secondary was heavily restocked through the transfer portal, adding Daylen Austin from Oregon, Malcolm Hartzog from Nebraska and corners Tyrese Boss and Dwight Bootie.
The Schedule
The path is harder this year. Arizona faces road games at BYU, Washington State, West Virginia, Texas Tech and Kansas State, plus home games against TCU and Utah — a significantly more difficult slate than 2025. The season ends Nov. 28 with the 100th Territorial Cup against in-state rival Arizona State.
The Outlook
Most analysts project the Wildcats around seven wins, with a shot at more if the secondary gels quickly and the offensive line takes a step forward. The opener against Northern Arizona on Sept. 5 kicks off what could be another competitive year in the desert.
2026 Arizona Wildcats Football Schedule
All home games at Casino Del Sol Stadium, Tucson
Sept. 5 — vs. Northern Arizona | 6:30 p.m. | ESPN+ (Native American Heritage Night — wear blue)
Sept. 12 — at BYU, Provo, Utah | 12:30 p.m. | Fox (Big 12)
Sept. 19 — vs. Northern Illinois | 7:30 p.m. | TNT Sports (Hispanic Heritage Night — wear red)
Sept. 26 — at Washington State, Pullman, Wash. | 4:30 p.m. | CBS
Oct. 3 — vs. Cincinnati | TBA (Big 12 home opener; Family Weekend — wear white)
Oct. 10 — at West Virginia, Morgantown, W.Va. | TBA (Big 12)
Oct. 17 — BYE WEEK
Oct. 24 — vs. Iowa State | TBA (Big 12; Homecoming — wear red)
Oct. 31 — at Texas Tech, Lubbock, Texas | TBA (Big 12)
Nov. 6 — vs. TCU | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN (Big 12; Sandstorm Night — wear white)
Nov. 14 — vs. Utah | TBA (Big 12; Military Appreciation — wear red)
Nov. 21 — at Kansas State, Manhattan, Kan. | TBA (Big 12)
Nov. 28 — vs. Arizona State | TBA (Big 12; Senior Day; 100th Territorial Cup — wear red)
Dec. 4 — Big 12 Championship, Arlington, Texas | TBA (AT&T Stadium — if qualified)
