Coming off another bye week, Arizona is looking to change the narrative after an embarrassing 56-12 blowout loss to UCF and get the season into a more positive light.
While it's unlikely the Wildcats go bowling in Brent Brennan's first year as head coach just because of how the product on the field looks lately, it's still not impossible as Arizona could win out the next three against Houston, TCU, capped off with the Territorial Cup facing ASU.
One things for sure when it comes to a bowl game is that Arizona cannot suffer another loss or else it's eliminated from contention, but Brennan and company could definitely somewhat revive the season with a bowl birth.
Last go around when the Wildcats had some time off, they went to Salt Lake City and knocked off previously-No. 10 Utah so it's early but apparent that Brennan knows how to execute a bye week.
Though the Wildcats are on a five-game losing skid and were favored in three of those games, they continue to be favored in games albeit by -1 point over Houston with an O/U point total of 45.5.
Starting 1-4, the Cougars season looked to be a wash but new head coach Willie Fritz showcased some life winning three of the last four and being two wins away from a bowl game.
It's not just Arizona who's on bye week either as Houston got a break, so both teams will have extra preparation while each pushing for a bowl game at this point in the season and here are three players on each team to look out for during the Friday night showdown.
Arizona
DB Dalton Johnson - stats vs. UCF: nine tackles, one forced fumble
With three defensive captains out for the year and depth really being tested in the stretch run, Arizona is fortunate to have a leader like Dalton Johnson still in the room to coach the guys up from the player's perspective.
As linebacker Jacob Manu is out for the year, Johnson has surpasses him as the team's tackle leader with 66 of them and he's also racked up two forced fumbles a year removed from his four FF year in 2023.
He's also been used more as a "dimebacker" recently, which is the DB subbed in for dime formations to adjust for the injuries in the unit and it's gotten him near the ball more often which he excels at.
With hopes to end the season on a positive note it's important for players like Johnson to step up and make a difference on a majority backup defense.
It's difficult to replace the type of production and leadership Manu brings to the table, and that's why its important for Johnson to continue to force fumbles and make key tackles to give more opportunities to the offense to figure things out.
QB Noah Fifita - stats vs. UCF: 256 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, 73% comp. percentage
The Arizona offense has been tough to watch at times this year with many little details holding the talent back from really taking off.
Interceptions, miscues in pass pro., along with self-inflicted wounds like penalties have truly been a thorn in the offenses side.
There are many things attributing to the 56-12 blowout loss the Wildcats suffered against UCF such as a lack of run game gaining five yards on the day or even, the defense allowing those seven straight drives of touchdowns and a Hail Mary before halftime.
But it's more than safe to say that quarterback Noah Fifita was anything but the problem.
If it wasn't for the negative game script and score that makes it hard to find any positives, Arizona's quarterback actually had one of his better games of the season.
It's two straight games for him without an interception with multiple touchdowns at that, and it's worth noting he may have had some of his confidence come back in the West Virginia game.
He's on the uptick for sure and is going against another tough defense in Houston's, but with extra time to prepare he might be in line for another solid game.
DB Owen Goss - stats vs UCF: six tackles, two forced fumbles
Another player who's seen a spike of playing time recently has been defensive back Owen Goss who was coming off an impressive training camp in the fall while coming along slowly on the defensive side of things.
Goss has had to step into Johnson's previous role as kind of an overhang safety that'll lineup in the nickel or over the tight end as well and has played well in recent weeks.
On the year he has 36 tackles with two for loss along with a sack and three forced fumbles.
Against West Virginia he actually nearly had an amazing fumble recovery that would've changed the tide in that game where he got hands on a loose ball on the sideline while getting a foot in bounds which would've been a takeaway.
The only catch was Mountaineers QB Nicco Marchiol got a hand on the ball as well which made Goss not have full possession going to the ground.
He responded by forcing two fumbles against the Knights that weren't recovered by the Wildcats, but nonetheless those plays are so close to coming.
Defensive coordinator Duane Akina mentioned in his Tuesday presser that turnovers come in bunches and at some point the ball with bounce in favor of Arizona and we'll see if the narrative changes against the Cougars and their young quarterback.
Houston
QB Zeon Chriss - stats vs. Kansas State: 103 passing yards, one passing TD, 100% comp. percentage, 75 rushing yards, one rushing TD
It hasn't been flashy by any stretch of the imagination for Houston offensively, but it's won it football games in fact, three of it's last four to really propel the Cougs on this late season run they've been having.
Led by a stifling defense that's complimented the offense which after making the quarterback change to Zeon Chriss, has been much more efficient and is able to do the little things right.
Against the Wildcats, Chriss didn't miss a single throw. Even though he only attempted 11 passes, making all of them count is winning football and did just enough to upset K-State.
It's not his passing at the current stage of his development that'll scare a defense however, as he can really move on the ground.
The stat sheet says 75 rushing yards for Chriss, but he really gained over 100 adjusting for sacks and he even had a score on the ground as well.
Everyone knows how much dual-threat quarterbacks have had success against Arizona's defense at times in 2024 and this Friday will be another big test for the group as a hot Cougars team comes to town.
LB Michael Batton - stats vs. Kansas State: 11 tackles, two TFLs, one interception
There aren't many defenders that lead their team in multiple statistics, and if they do it's a testament to the caliber of player they are.
The Cougars have one of these stud playmakers in linebacker Michael Batton who leads Houston on the year in three categories - 66 tackles, nine tackles for a loss, and three sacks.
Granted, he hasn't recorded a sack in a month of games but he just recorded his first career interception against No. 20 Kansas State which was a pivotal part of the game to give Houston the upset win.
He's been a key contributor in the nation's 23rd best defense in total yardage allowed with 318.9 yards being given on a game-to-game basis and that'll prove to be a big matchup against an Arizona offense that has been unable to sustain drives.
As of late, the Wildcats have also been allowing way too many pressures and sacks of Fifita being brought down 13 times in the last three games so if Batton gets any pass rushing reps off of a blitz per say that has really thrown Arizona off it's game then he could either add to his sack total or be around the ball for a potential turnover.
DB A.J. Haulcy - stats vs. Kansas State: eight tackles
On a really good defense for Houston, they have many different playmakers at different positions.
Like Batton, defensive back A.J. Haulcy has been tremendous for the Cougars making 54 tackles along with four interceptions and seven pass break ups.
He had a game on the quitter side only recording eight tackles against Kansas State, but going against Arizona who has a lot of passing volume essentially abandoning the run at times this year, Halucy will have an opportunity at some of these passes.
It also depends which Noah Fifita the Wildcats will get on Friday night.
He's suffered some turnover issues at times throwing 10 interceptions going seven games straight with at least one pick in 2024.
Though he's cleaned it up with two straight clean games in that department, it's still something to keep an eye on how he'll matchup against a high caliber defense like Houston's.
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