“Lev it on the Field” is back for Game 8 against Colorado. It’s the Star’s unique look at Arizona’s upcoming football matchup and other happenings around the Big 12 through the eyes of UA beat reporter-turned-columnist Michael Lev. Away we go ...
The best thing that could have happened for Arizona and Brent Brennan last Saturday would have been this: Colorado goes into Salt Lake City and upsets Utah.
Michael Lev is a senior writer/columnist for the Arizona Daily Star, Tucson.com and The Wildcaster.
Instead, the worst thing happened: The Buffaloes got blown out.
Not only did they get blown out, they got embarrassed. It was the worst loss of the Deion Sanders era. If it’s possible for a 53-7 final score to not fully illustrate the disparity between two teams, that was it.
As a result, the narrative heading into this Saturday’s game in Boulder has flipped. The initial computer models had the UA-CU game as a one-point spread — basically even. After the Buffs’ no-show in Salt Lake, the Wildcats opened as 5.5-point favorites. They were favored by 3.5 as of this writing.
Colorado quarterback Kaidon Salter (3) is sacked by Utah defensive end Logan Fano (0) during the first half of their game Oct. 25, 2025, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
All of which is to say: Arizona is now expected to win. And if it doesn’t, UA fans’ unhappiness with Brennan will continue to fester.
Brennan wisely refused to buy into that premise, noting how strong Colorado has been at home. The Buffs’ two losses at Folsom Field came by a combined 10 points against Georgia Tech and BYU — both of whom are ranked in the top 10 in the latest AP poll.
But Sanders wouldn’t have slept in his office if Colorado had been competitive last Saturday. UA offensive coordinator Seth Doege understands exactly what the Wildcats will be walking into this week. He even issued his group a warning.
“If you put yourself in their shoes, how do you feel? You’re probably attacking this week with a little bit different edge than if you won that game,” Doege said. “Because if you won that game, everybody’s telling you how great you are, how you beat Utah at Utah. And then you’re feeling yourself and the edge may not be there.
“It might be. It depends on the team that you have and the maturity that you have. But if I was assuming, the way they played, at least on defense, this is going to motivate them. They’re going to have a great week of practice, they’re going to attack it and we’re going to get their best shot.”
Arizona can’t control what happened last week. The Wildcats can control how they perform this week.
It’s imperative that they throw the first punch — beat the Buffs when they’re down and drain the enthusiasm from the stadium.
All Colorado needs is one touchdown or takeaway for the rout at Rice-Eccles to be forgotten.
Take that for data!
Colorado is a better team at home. In two-plus seasons under Sanders, the Buffs are 10-7 at Folsom Field and 6-10 everywhere else.
One of those home losses came against Arizona, which has treated Boulder like a home away from home since becoming conference mates with Colorado in 2011.
BYU running back LJ Martin (4) runs in a touchdown against Iowa State during the first half of their game, Oct. 25, 2025, in Ames, Iowa.
The Wildcats are 5-2 against the Buffs on their home field during that span. Arizona got blown out in ‘11 (under interim coach Tim Kish) and in ‘21 (in the midst of a school-record 20-game losing streak). The Wildcats’ first Pac-12 win there, in 2013, was a blowout. Every victory since has been a nailbiter.
Arizona won by seven points in 2015, by three in ‘17 (The Khalil Tate Game), by five in ‘19 and by three in ‘23.
Would you be the least bit surprised if Saturday’s game went down to the wire?
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Going up: Big 12 newcomers
In the first season after the departures of Oklahoma and Texas, Arizona State won the Big 12. BYU and Colorado matched ASU with 7-2 conference records. All joined the league during the most recent round of realignment. Entering Saturday, four teams have records of 4-1 or better in league play this year — and three of them are newcomers: BYU, Cincinnati and Houston. The 17th-ranked Bearcats visit No. 24 Utah, the site of ESPN’s “College GameDay.” That’s a matchup of Brett Yormark’s creation. The Big 12 might not be on the same level as the Big Ten and SEC when it comes to national-title contenders. But the makeover that Yormark engineered has kept the conference relevant and riveting.
Going down: 2025 Sun Devils
ASU hasn’t been able to match last year’s breakthrough or live up to its preseason billing (No. 11 in the AP Top 25). Injuries have killed the momentum Kenny Dillingham and the Sun Devils had built up. Quarterback Sam Leavitt has been in and out of the lineup and reportedly will miss the rest of the season. Also banged up: star receiver Jordyn Tyson, who was listed as doubtful for Saturday’s game at Iowa State. He missed last week’s game against Houston, ASU’s first home setback since the 2023 Territorial Cup. Even with a loss in Ames, the Sun Devils would have a shot to finish 8-4 — not bad, but not what ASU fans were hoping for.
A question from my X
“What’s your take on pathway to bowl eligibility? Is CU a must-win, or are there two other potential wins out there?” — @Toolman51 via X/Twitter
Utah will wear hand-painted helmets for its “Dark Mode” game against Utah on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025.
Unless the Wildcats get walloped Saturday — which I don’t see happening — they’ll be favored in two more games after Colorado.
Kansas and Baylor are Arizona’s two remaining home opponents, and both are beatable. They’re both 4-4, 2-3 and in the midst of seasons most would deem disappointing. Both rank in the bottom five in the Big 12 in total defense.
But it would be a heck of a lot easier to achieve bowl eligibility with a victory at Colorado. The crowd would be better for the KU game next week, enhancing the Wildcats’ chances to win. They’d have more margin for error. They’d even have a realistic shot at going 7-5.
A loss at Colorado would extend Arizona’s losing streak to three games, drop its record to 4-4 and crank up the heat on Brennan. The Wildcats would still only need a split to get to 6-6. But they’d have minimal momentum and maybe even less fan support.
Threads
Utah is wearing sleek all-black throwback uniforms for Cincinnati, which will be the Utes’ annual “Dark Mode” game. But wait, there’s more: Utah also will don hand-painted helmets, another annual tradition, courtesy of artist Armando Villareal. The helmets feature a “modern update to the iconic ‘drum and feather’ design that started the team’s hand-painted helmet tradition,” per UNISWAG.com. The circle encompassing the Utah “U” represents the Ute Tribe’s “Circle of Life,” the site’s description continues. And the eagle feathers “symbolize honor and respect.” It’s a classy, beautiful piece of headgear.
What he said ...
“They are a team that is incredibly tough at home. We know going into this that we’re going to have to play in an incredible atmosphere. ... It doesn’t matter what happened this (past) weekend. What matters is what happens next weekend. That’s all we’re worried about.” — Brennan
What he meant ...
“You want me to say Colorado stinks and we’re gonna take it to ‘em? Not gonna happen. The last thing I’m gonna do is give Coach Prime any fodder, you know what I mean? He’s a masterful motivator. Heck of an actor, too. Those Aflac commercials are dope.”
The other side
“These guys understand the assignment. They understand the mission. It was one of those days that it just didn’t work. You got your butt kicked. Don’t sugarcoat it. Don’t placate it. It is what it is. Guess what? Let’s flush the darn toilet and let’s move on, and that’s what we’ve done.” — Sanders
Baylor head coach Dave Aranda walks on the field during a timeout in the third quarter against Cincinnati, Oct. 25, 2025, in Cincinnati.
Pick to click (aka #fadelev)
Baylor has battered me in “Big 12 Bonanza,” our weekly picks segment on “The Wildcast” podcast. I’ve taken the Bears against the spread six times; they’re 1-5 in those games. Heck, they couldn’t even cover against lowly Oklahoma State. But I just can’t quit you, Baylor. You have too much talent. And if you don’t win at home Saturday against UCF, your coach, Dave Aranda, could get fired. This is the week. Sic ‘em, Bears. Give me Baylor minus-3.5 in Waco. (season record: 3-4)
One last thing
Would you like to dream a little bit? Put an overly positive spin on what’s possible for Arizona this season?
What if I told you the Wildcats could be on the brink of a winning streak?
It happened before under similar circumstances. In 2023, Arizona was coming off a pair of one-score losses against quality opponents — including one that went to overtime — when it visited Washington State in mid-October. Sound familiar?
The Wildcats crushed the Cougars 44-6, igniting a seven-game win streak to close the season.
The situation wasn’t exactly the same; Arizona had a bye after WSU, while it’s coming off a bye heading into Colorado. But if anything, that should put the Wildcats in an even more advantageous position. They haven’t had a cleaner bill of health all season.
No one saw the turnaround coming in Pullman. Maybe we just didn’t look hard enough.
