With noon kickoff, Arizona football vs. Oklahoma St. is the hottest ticket in town

In a 24-hour span between Friday and Saturday, Tucson sports fans can attend the UA men's basketball Red-Blue Showcase and afterparty with Shaquille O'Neal Friday night, Arizona football's Big 12 home opener against Oklahoma State on Saturday, the Mexican Baseball Fiesta home run derby and Tucson Baseball Team's exhibition game against Aguilas de Mexicali Saturday evening. 

"It's a big-time weekend in Tucson and we're excited to play," said Arizona head coach Brent Brennan. 

Arizona football is arguably the hottest ticket in town. Literally. 

For the first time since 2016, when former Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate lost his first-ever start and fell to the Sam Darnold-led USC, Arizona will play an afternoon game at Arizona Stadium in October. Temperature at kickoff is forecasted to be just under 90 degrees, which means on-field temperatures will likely exceed 100.  

Whether it's a late-night kickoff or an afternoon game, "it's a catch-22," said Brennan.

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"'Well the games are played so late.' I get that," Brennan added. "'Well, it's going to be hot.' I get that, too. But really, there's a big-time college football game happening here on Saturday, and it's going to be an awesome event. It's going to be an awesome experience." 

The Wildcats are leaning on the heat serving as a home-field advantage rather than a hindrance.  

"We practice every day in the heat," Brennan said. "We're outside in the heat, in the direct sunlight at that time of day. I don't know how else you can address it. I'll tell you this: if you let it be an excuse for your football team, it will be. Every day, we practice in that. I love it. I love the idea of wake up, take a shower, brush your teeth, have something to eat and let's go play — versus just waiting all day to play. I think it's awesome for our fans.

"I think our fans can rally. If I'm in college, let's get the party started at 8 a.m., man. Let's get this thing going, we've got a game at noon."