No. 2 Utah (9-0) visits No. 23 Arizona (7-2) on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, with Utah’s unbeaten record and College Football Playoff hopes on the line.
The Utes, off to their best start since 2008, are one of only two unbeaten teams left in major college football. A victory could shore up their CFP resume and even clinch a spot in the Big 12 championship game.
For Arizona, a home win would derail Utah’s trophy talk and mark a signature victory for the Wildcats, who have won seven in a row at home, their longest such streak since 1993-94. The Wildcats secured a 29-28 triumph over TCU by finding the end zone twice in the final two minutes, with a successful onside kick recovery providing the momentum for the comeback.
Quarterback Duel Takes Center Stage
The matchup features two of the most productive quarterbacks in the country. Arizona’s Noah Fifita, the active FBS leader in passing yards (11,977) and touchdowns (94), will be making his 44th consecutive start.
This season, Fifita has accumulated 2,794 yards through the air and 21 TDs, completing 73 percent of his passes, to which he has added four touchdowns on the ground. Fifita has five 300-yard passing games, the most of any quarterback in this matchup.
Utah’s Devon Dampier has accounted for 27 total touchdowns this year, throwing for 2,053 yards with 20 TDs and running for 480 yards with seven scores. The two quarterbacks have a history, with Fifita having “had our number the last two times we've played them,” according to Utah coach Morgan Scalley, referring to losses to Arizona in 2023 and 2024.
“He's very competitive and he's super smart. Everyone knows how difficult it is to face Devon, he's no different. I love the fact that he's stayed at Arizona and been loyal to that program,” Scalley said.
In that New Mexico game, which was Brennan’s debut as Arizona head coach, Dampier had 390 yards of total offense and five total TDs while Arizona won 61-39. This season, Dampier’s 20 touchdown passes rank fourth in the Big 12. He ran for two touchdowns and threw for two more in Utah’s 28-20 win over BYU on Nov. 7.
Arizona's Aggressive Defense Faces Dampier's Mobility
Arizona's defense presents a major challenge. The Wildcats are tied for 10th nationally in sacks with 28 and employ an aggressive style. “They do a lot of stunts, lot of pressure, similar to us, and they're not afraid to go zero coverage. This is going to be an awesome battle,” Scalley said. Arizona has 28 sacks, six from Chase Kennedy, but only three interceptions.
Arizona’s defense will face a test from Dampier’s mobility and rushing ability, as the unit has held six opponents under 100 rushing yards but surrendered 300-plus to West Virginia and Texas Tech, both of which featured a dual-threat quarterback. “That's kryptonite in all of football,” Brennan said.
“I think that's a challenge for all of college football, and obviously Dampier is exceptional at it.” Dampier’s legs provide Utah with an escape route against the pass rush when plays break down, forcing Arizona to assign a defender to shadow him on third down.
Arizona could be down several starters in the secondary. The Wildcats can be susceptible to big plays through the air because of their aggressive style of defense.
Utah is hopeful running back Wayshawn Parker will be at full strength after being limited to 36 yards on 14 carries against BYU. Parker’s 762 rushing yards and his nine TDs are tied for third in the conference, and his 90-yard run is the longest by either team in this matchup.
Arizona allows 125.2 rushing yards per game. Parker scored at Cincinnati on Oct. 31 and has two 100-yard games, and he also has four touchdown catches. Utah’s rushing leader is Wayshawn Parker, with 762 yards and nine rushing touchdowns.
Arizona’s offense features Isaiah Mizell, who leads the team in every major receiving category with 40 catches for 753 yards and seven touchdowns. Seven catches turned into 182 yards and a touchdown for Mizell at Texas Tech, one of his 100-yard games this season.
He has scored in each of his last three games, and his 94-yard catch is the longest play in this matchup. Utah surrenders 233.8 passing yards per game, and the Wildcats will continue to target Mizell whenever a big play is needed against the unbeaten Utes.
Utah has 13 interceptions, three by James Chenault Jr., so the Utes will make Fifita pay for forcing throws. Fifita has been sacked 22 times, so Arizona’s offensive line must protect him and give him time against an unbeaten opponent. The game kicks off at 10:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, Arizona, and will be broadcast on FOX.
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