“Lev it on the Field” is back for Game 4 against Iowa State. 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 ...
At some point between spring football and the Big 12 opener, the Arizona Wildcats’ defense transformed from a question mark into a juggernaut.
Michael Lev is a senior writer/columnist for the Arizona Daily Star, Tucson.com and The Wildcaster.
Call it The Summer They Turned Gritty.
Arizona’s defense wasn’t objectively awful last season; the offense was arguably worse. But there were a handful of games — UCF and ASU in particular — in which the Wildcats just got steamrolled. They looked “soft” — which is about the worst thing you can say about a football team or player.
Injuries were a factor, no doubt. But aside from a game here or there (Utah, Houston), you seldom came away feeling that Arizona was the aggressor.
Under the guidance of first-year defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales, the Wildcats are the ones dictating terms. They’re making their presence felt, literally.
Arizona defensive lineman Deshawn McKnight (0) dances his way upfield after sacking Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson (2) in the second quarter, Sept. 12, 2025, at Arizona Stadium.
It’s still early, of course; No. 14 Iowa State might deliver a plate of humble pie Saturday in Ames. But heading into this weekend, Arizona’s defense is, statistically, one of the nation’s best. The Wildcats ranked seventh in yards allowed per game (222.3) and fourth in yards allowed per play (3.63) before Friday night’s games kicked off.
Was there a specific turning point? One could cite the decision to elevate Gonzales, who has instilled a belief in the defense that was previously lacking. He pointed to personnel acquisitions (Deshawn McKnight, Malachi Bailey, Tia Savea) and returns (Genesis Smith, Dalton Johnson, Treydan Stukes).
Both Gonzales and UA coach Brent Brennan brought up a particularly physical 9-on-7 session during training camp. (That drill pits nine offensive players against seven defensive players, and every play is a run.)
“As violent and as physical as anything that I've been around,” Gonzales said.
Brennan brought up a mid-August practice inside the Davis Sports Center in which the defense intercepted five passes in about 15 minutes. Asked about that night, linebacker Chase Kennedy practically gasped.
“Ooh-wee,” he said. “Ooh-wee.”
“I just remember the energy,” Kennedy continued. “That was one of the craziest moments I've ever been a part of in college football. It was just pick after pick. That just comes from people doing their assignment, doing their job and playing with effort and energy.”
Effort and energy have become non-negotiables in Year 2 under Brennan. As it should be.
Take that for data!
Only four teams in the nation have yet to allow a touchdown pass this season: Arizona, BYU, Nebraska and Oregon.
The Wildcats and Cougars haven’t had one of their quarterbacks throw an interception, putting them in the exclusive Zero-Zero Club entering Week 5.
Arizona does have one interception on its ledger. But that pick was thrown by receiver Javin Whatley on a trick play vs. Kansas State.
Not only has Noah Fifita avoided interceptions so far this year after tying for the Big 12 “lead” last season, Pro Football Focus has yet to charge him with a turnover-worthy play. Even Fifita would concede that’s not accurate; his first pass attempt of the season was thrown into triple coverage.
Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy walks off the field after a 69-3 loss to Oregon on Sept. 6, 2025, in Eugene, Ore.
Since then? A clean sheet.
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Going up: Pre-October firings
Content creator extraordinaire Mike Gundy this week became the third Power Four head coach to be fired this season when Oklahoma State made the difficult but inescapable decision to let him go. It’s not even October yet. What’s the rush? As David Cobb of CBSSports.com noted, the calendar could be a factor. College football is expected to move to a single transfer-portal window in January. If it had stayed in December, every program basically would be dealing with the same thing: The automatic 30-day window that kicks in when a coaching change is made would overlap with the regular window. OSU, UCLA and Virginia Tech can hire new coaches without having to worry about December departures.
Going down: Depth-chart deniers
As discussed previously, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham has declined to release a depth chart this season, saying it’s no longer needed with the advent of availability reports in the Big 12 — as if one has anything to do with the other. The Utes got stomped by Texas Tech last week. Another depth-chart denier, Florida’s Billy Napier, could become the fourth Power Four head coach to be fired with the Gators off to a 1-3 start. North Carolina’s Bill Belichick also has made a mockery of the depth chart, which is a valuable tool for media and fans. The Tar Heels have played two Power Four opponents and have been outscored 82-23.
A question from my X
“Do you see a world where Arizona vs. the School Up North has implications on the Big 12 Championship?” — @cardiaccat1997 via X/Twitter
Why not?
Regardless of the outcome of Friday night’s game between TCU and Arizona State (which kicked off after this piece was published), I would expect ASU to remain in the race.
The Sun Devils’ schedule is a little harder than many projected — their next four games are at Utah, vs. Texas Tech, vs. Houston and at Iowa State — but I don’t see them fading. Last week’s last-second win at Baylor was a test of ASU’s mettle, and the Sun Devils passed it.
Arizona is more of an unknown. Even after a 3-0 start, few outside of Tucson would consider the Wildcats legitimate contenders for the conference crown.
That would change if Arizona upsets Iowa State on Saturday. It’s also worth remembering that ASU was picked to finish last in the preseason Big 12 media poll last year and ended up winning the conference.
Why the league has tried to distance itself from that narrative remains baffling.
A West Virginia player models the 1965 throwback uniforms the Mountaineers will wear in their Sept. 27, 2025, home game vs. Utah.
Threads
West Virginia is debuting 1965 throwback uniforms for its home game against Utah, and they are spectacular. The ensemble features “old gold” helmets and pants with navy jerseys and gold lettering. The best touch is the helmet logo. It consists of a 3D-looking “WVU” in blue and gold superimposed on a sky-blue silhouette of the state of West Virginia. It’s the only sky-blue element, and it really pops. What’s notable about the '65 Mountaineers? They won the “Backyard Brawl” over Pitt 63-48 — the highest-scoring game in the series.
What he said ...
“I was a little bit nervous at first. You're standing there, and those cars are going by crazy fast. You go through the training ... but then you gotta get in the car. I don’t know the last time any of you guys drove a stick shift. Anyone? It's been a while, right?” — Brennan on driving a NASCAR vehicle last week at Phoenix Raceway
Arizona football head coach Brent Brennan stands with Phoenix Raceway president Latasha Causey and Wilbur Wildcat at Phoenix Raceway on Sept. 20, 2025.
What he meant ...
“A little nervous? I was freaking out, man! I didn’t want to be the guy who wrecked a $200,000 race car. I know we’re all about ‘Redline’ here, and it means going 100 miles an hour 100% of the time. Well, I literally drove over 100 mph up there. It was insane. Our new partnership with Phoenix Raceway is really cool, but I think I’ll stick with my day job.”
The other side
“We talk about a guy that eats nails and ... will run through a forest blindfolded — whatever kind of toughness saying you want to say about Tyler, he checks all of those boxes and he'll do whatever it takes for this football team. ... It doesn't matter if he's played eight snaps or he's played 50 snaps, when that guy’s number gets called, it's going to be a thousand miles an hour.” — Iowa State offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser on senior tight end Tyler Moore
BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier, center, breaks tackles of East Carolina's Samuel Dankah (7) and Dameon Wilson (10) during the second half of their game in Greenville, N.C., Sept. 20, 2025.
Pick to click (aka #fadelev)
BYU proved me wrong last week. I thought the Cougars and their freshman quarterback, Bear Bachmeier, would struggle in their first road game at East Carolina. They won handily. Now comes a night game at Colorado, where BYU is giving 6.5 points. The Buffaloes bounced back against Wyoming last week and found a rhythm on offense with Kaidon Salter reinstated at QB. But BYU is a different beast. The Cougars will control the line of scrimmage on both sides and win by at least a touchdown. (season record: 2-1)
One last thing
If Arizona upsets Iowa State on Saturday, the Wildcats will merit serious consideration for my AP Top 25 ballot. Many would argue they’d deserve to be in.
If only it were that simple.
I didn’t rank BYU last week. The Cougars landed at No. 25. If they beat Colorado, they probably deserve to be in, too.
I kept Illinois in at No. 25 despite the Illini’s blowout loss at Indiana. What if they rebound and beat USC? Gotta keep 'em in if that happens.
What if ASU beats TCU? Sun Devils in, Horned Frogs out? Sure. But what if Mississippi State upsets Tennessee? The Bulldogs would have to be ahead of the Devils after beating them a few weeks back, right?
What if unranked Washington upsets No. 1 Ohio State? Where do you put the Huskies? How far do you drop the Buckeyes?
I could do this all day. The point is: It’s not as easy as “so-and-so deserves to be in the Top 25.” At this point in the season, more than 25 teams are worthy. But there are only 25 spots.
Imagine trying to put together a jigsaw puzzle where almost all the pieces look the same. That’s life as an AP voter.
