Arizona Wildcats rise in rankings, can’t lose while eliminated

The Wildcats from Arizona came into this week coming off a bye, meaning they went more than a week without a loss for the first time since September 28.

Still on a five-game losing streak, the Wildcats look to emerge from their slump this week and improve on their 3-6 overall record and 1-5 record in Big 12 play.

However, they won’t have it easy as they will face a team with a better record than theirs in the league. Houston Cougars who have an overall record of 4-5 with a 3-3 record in conference play.

While Arizona was off and unable to lose a game in the process, the program saw a rise in their stock as teams around them lost in the rankings.

The Wildcats aren’t close to the top 25, in the AP Poll, the Coaches Poll or the College Football Playoff Rankings, but in Chris Vannini’s college football power rankings for The Athleticsthey now rank 77th, after ranking 80th in last week’s iteration.

It’s been a tough situation on both sides of the ball for Arizona, as turnovers and a porous defense have led to losses all year.

Many expected second-year quarterback Noah Fifita to pick up where he left off last season when he threw for 2,869 yards with 25 touchdowns and just six interceptions on 241 of 333 passing yards in his redshirt freshman season.

Even with Tetairoa McMillan still on the roster, Fifita’s production has dipped, seemingly a product of the much tougher conference as he has thrown for 2,324 yards with 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions on 197 of 322 playing as a redshirt sophomore have passed.

McMillan has still gotten his touches, although still far from enough for the team to be successful and utilize their best player as much as possible, but he has 1,066 yards receiving and six touchdowns on 63 catches, having thrown for 1,402 yards and 10 touchdowns had recorded 90 catches last year.

Defensively, the Wildcats rank 14th in the conference in yards allowed per game (394.8), 13th in the conference in rushing yards allowed per game (171.2) and 14th in points allowed per game (31 ,1), although they have been better at guarding. the pass, which ranked eighth in the conference in passing yards allowed per game (223.6).

It’s been a season to forget for Arizona and first-year head coach Brent Brennan, and they’re certainly glad it’s almost over.