When you look at Arizona’s 2025 football schedule, you can see the possibilities.
The Wildcats play seven of their 12 regular-season games at home, including five of the first six. They have to get on a plane only four times.
Arizona football coach Brent Brennan speaks to reporters on media day at the Davis Sports Center on July 29, 2025.
Arizona’s bye weeks are well-situated — between Kansas State and Iowa State in September and between road trips to Houston and Colorado later in the year.
Arizona doesn’t have to face Texas Tech (the trendy pick to win the Big 12) or TCU (the most underrated team in the conference).
Given all that, can the Wildcats get to 6-6, securing bowl eligibility and likely saving Brent Brennan’s job?
If so, Arizona would qualify for a bowl game for only the second time since 2017.
What follows are predictions for every UA game this year. As the actual season progresses, we reserve the right to change our mind.
Hawaii head coach Timmy Chang, front right, wears a shirt showing his team’s Rainbow Warriors mascot before a game against San Diego State on Oct. 14, 2023, in Honolulu.
Game 1: Hawaii
When: Saturday, Aug. 30, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Arizona Stadium
TV: TNT, HBO Max
How it could go: We’ll know a lot more about the Rainbow Warriors after their nationally televised Week 0 matchup against Stanford. But we have some idea how Hawaii will operate on offense. The Warriors run a version of the run-and-shoot. Last season, only five teams had fewer rushing attempts than Hawaii. If you adjust for sacks, the Warriors ran the ball only 36.2% of the time. The strength of Arizona’s defense is its secondary. If styles make fights, this one goes to the Wildcats. It might not be a knockout, but it’ll at least be a unanimous decision.
Final score: Arizona 35, Hawaii 26
Record to date: 1-0
Game 2: Weber State
When: Saturday, Sept. 6, 7 p.m.
Where: Arizona Stadium
TV: ESPN+
How it could go: The alarm bells started to blare last year when the Wildcats struggled to move the ball against FCS Northern Arizona, winning by just 12 points in a game in which they were favored by 37.5. They can’t let that happen against the Wildcats (yes, same mascot) from Ogden, Utah, and we don’t think they will. Weber State landed at No. 8 in the preseason Big Sky coaches poll and No. 9 in the media poll. This one should be relatively easy before the true gauntlet begins.
Final score: Arizona 45, Weber State 14
Record to date: 2-0
Game 3: Kansas State
When: Friday, Sept. 12, 6 p.m.
Kansas State linebacker Austin Romaine celebrates after breaking up a pass during the first half against Iowa State on Nov. 30, 2024, in Ames, Iowa.
Where: Arizona Stadium
TV: FOX/11
How it could go: Despite preseason expectations, this is the first of several games Arizona could win if things go right. The schedule sequencing favors the Tucson Wildcats: While they will have played two home games vs. Group of Five and FCS opponents, KSU will have played three with travel: against Iowa State in Ireland and vs. North Dakota and Army — always a tough, physical opponent — at home. So there’s major potential for Friday-night weirdness here that should at least manifest itself in a closer game than what it looks like on paper.
Final score: Kansas State 23, Arizona 21
Record to date: 2-1
Game 4: Iowa State
When: Saturday, Sept. 27, time TBA
Where: Jack Trice Stadium; Ames, Iowa
TV: TBA
How it could go: This will mark Arizona’s first matchup against Iowa State — and its first trip to Ames — since 1968. (The Cyclones’ leader that year? First-time head coach Johnny Majors.) ISU already will have played its top two rivals — Kansas State and Iowa. But, like the Wildcats, the Cyclones will be coming off a bye. They should be fresh and energized to play in front of a “White Out” crowd. They also have the personnel to run the ball against a UA defense that might be susceptible in that area.
Final score: Iowa State 31, Arizona 21
Record to date: 2-2 (0-1 Big 12)
Game 5: Oklahoma State
When: Saturday, Oct. 4, time TBA
Where: Arizona Stadium
TV: TBA
How it could go: If there’s a Big 12 game that Arizona has to win to get to 6-6, it’s this one. After nearly two decades of prosperity under Mike Gundy, the Cowboys had a disastrous season in 2024, going 0-9 in conference play. They made a ton of changes, including bringing in 40-plus transfers. None is an established quarterback. OSU also ranked second-to-last nationally in total defense last season, allowing more than 500 yards per game. Maybe new defensive coordinator Todd Grantham can fix that, but we’re skeptical.
BYU head coach Kalani Sitake gestures on the sideline against Baylor on Sept. 28, 2024, in Waco, Texas.
Final score: Arizona 38, Oklahoma State 27
Record to date: 3-2 (1-1)
Game 6: BYU
When: Saturday, Oct. 11, time TBA
Where: Arizona Stadium
TV: TBA
How it could go: After the departure of Jake Retzlaff, the Cougars will start a true freshman, Bear Bachmeier, at quarterback. The Wildcats have struggled to defend dual-threat QBs in recent seasons. But it’s seldom a smooth ride for true freshmen at football’s most demanding position, especially on the road. With BYU possibly looking ahead to the “Holy War” the following week vs. Utah, we’re calling our shot here: The Wildcats will upset the Cougars, snapping a four-game losing streak in the series.
Final score: Arizona 21, BYU 20
Record to date: 4-2 (2-1)
Game 7: Houston
When: Saturday, Oct. 18, time TBA
Where: TDECU Stadium; Houston
TV: TBA
How it could go: If the BYU game goes that way, this one looms as a potential letdown. Like Arizona, Houston isn’t getting much preseason love. But the Cougars made a significant upgrade at quarterback by bringing in Conner Weigman from Texas A&M, Willie Fritz is a proven coach and UH supporters have invested in the program. We see a deflating defeat here — but nothing like the 45-18 debacle of 2018, a sign of things to come during the calamitous Kevin Sumlin era.
Final score: Houston 30, Arizona 23
Record to date: 4-3 (2-2)
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders directs players during practice on Aug. 14, 2025, in Boulder, Colo.
Game 8: Colorado
When: Saturday, Nov. 1, time TBA
Where: Folsom Field; Boulder, Colorado
TV: TBA
How it could go: For the 6-6 math to work, Arizona has to split this road trip. Colorado enters 2025 as something of an unknown as Deion Sanders — who missed most of the offseason to deal with a major medical issue — looks to reboot the Buffaloes without departed superstars Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter. Again, the schedule works in the Wildcats’ favor: They come off a bye, while the Buffs come off a trip to rival Utah. We’ll take the refreshed Cats over the beaten-up Buffs in a place Arizona has enjoyed success.
Final score: Arizona 34, Colorado 27
Record to date: 5-3 (3-2)
Game 9: Kansas
When: Saturday, Nov. 8, time TBA
Where: Arizona Stadium
TV: TBA
How it could go: This feels like a game the Wildcats should win. But the Jayhawks might be better than most think. They went 5-7 last year but were 1-5 in one-score games; that’s bound to turn around. Lance Leipold is an excellent coach, and sixth-year veteran Jalon Daniels is the type of mobile quarterback who could give the Wildcats fits. Arizona is bound to lose at least one game it shouldn’t, and we’re circling this one. The good news: Three more shots to get that sixth win.
Final score: Kansas 34, Arizona 31
Record to date: 5-4 (3-3)
Game 10: Cincinnati
When: Saturday, Nov. 15, time TBA
Where: Nippert Stadium; Cincinnati
Cincinnati defensive tackle Dontay Corleone warms up before the Bearcats' game against Iowa State on Nov. 16, 2024, in Ames, Iowa.
TV: TBA
How it could go: This is probably the closest the Wildcats will experience to a cold-weather game. Those traditionally haven’t gone well. We’re also of a mind that Cincinnati is a tad underrated heading into the season. The Bearcats have a veteran quarterback in Brendan Sorsby and quite possibly the best interior defensive lineman in the Big 12 in Dontay Corleone. Cincinnati also has a bye before this game. All of which is to say, we don’t see win No. 6 coming here.
Final score: Cincinnati 30, Arizona 27
Record to date: (5-5, 3-4)
Game 11: Baylor
When: Saturday, Nov. 22, time TBA
Where: Arizona Stadium
TV: TBA
How it could go: This Senior Day game will be the last at home for longtime, loyal Wildcats Dalton Johnson and Treydan Stukes, among others. It conceivably could be the last game for quarterback Noah Fifita if he has a great season and decides to go pro. Baylor might have the best offense in the conference and begins the season on the edge of the AP Top 25. But every Wildcat will feel a sense of urgency after whiffing on two chances to become bowl-eligible. They make their stand here and upset the Bears.
Final score: Arizona 42, Baylor 35
Record to date: 6-5 (4-4)
Game 12: Arizona State
When: Friday, Nov. 28, time TBA
Where: Mountain America Stadium; Tempe
TV: FOX/11
How it could go: The Sun Devils are the favorites to repeat in the Big 12 for good reason. Most of their key pieces return. They also have a manageable schedule, getting Texas Tech at home while avoiding Kansas State and BYU. If the season goes according to form — which seldom happens — ASU will be heavily favored in this game. We don’t see another upset here. But competing for four quarters would be a significant upgrade after last year’s 49-7 wipeout.
Final score: ASU 28, Arizona 24
Record to date: 6-6 (4-5)
