Preview: Cincinnati v Arizona
With November football arriving and championship stakes rising, the Cincinnati Bearcats return from a well-timed bye week to host the Arizona Wildcats on Saturday at Nippert Stadium. Kickoff is set for noon on FS1, and the matchup carries genuine Big 12 title implications: Cincinnati enters the week tied for first place, while Arizona—at 6–3 and playing its best football of the year—has emerged as one of the league’s most dangerous, if underrated, contenders.
(Photo: Arizona Athletics)
The Bearcats used the off week to heal, reset, and sharpen their approach. Head coach Scott Satterfield described it as a mental and physical “reset” that allowed veterans to recover and younger players to get valuable reps. Cincinnati used the chance to watch Arizona’s most recent outing live, a 24-20 win over Kansas, gaining what Satterfield considered a head start on preparation.
“We’re excited about the opportunity to be sitting here playing in the middle of November, tied for first place in the Big 12,” Satterfield said Tuesday. “Our goals are still set in front of us. We have to have a great week of practice, and our preparation will determine how we go out and play.”
Across the country, Arizona head coach Brent Brennan opened his weekly press conference with heavy praise for Satterfield's squad.
"This is what we think is the best football team we’ve played this year...we are heavy into preparation for Cincinnati,” Brennan said. “Going on the road, playing a very, very good, first-place team… an incredible challenge for us in all three phases.””
Defensive Outlook: Arizona
No unit may define Saturday’s challenge more than Arizona’s defense, revitalized this season under defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales. Satterfield praised the Wildcats' physicality, versatility, and the variety of fronts and pressures they deploy.
“They do a lot of things on defense—a lot of different pressures,” Satterfield explained. “Linebackers walking up, off the edge, blitzing. They’re not scared to blitz a safety or a corner. They’re going to give you a lot of different looks to try to confuse the offense.”
The Bearcats know that execution must be near perfect when facing a defense that specializes in disruption and boasts multiple standout playmakers. Leading the Wildcat defense are safety Dalton Johnson (team’s leading tackler, physical presence in space) and linebacker Max Harris (instinctive, disruptive, and central to Arizona’s pressure scheme).
Arizona’s turnover margin is among its defining strengths. Satterfield repeatedly emphasized that the Wildcats’ ability to take the ball away—and to protect it offensively—is a major reason for their 2024 success.
The Wildcats defense is among the top 25 units in the nation in total defense (17th), turnovers gained (10th), team TFL (17th), pass efficiency defense (2nd), passing defense (7th), interceptions (7th), and first downs defense (16th). Seven different players have combined to pull in Arizona’s 12 interceptions this season: DBs Jay’Vion Cole (3), Treydan Stukes (2), Dalton Johnson (2), Genesis Smith, Gavin Hunter, and Jack Luttrell, alongside LB Taye Brown.
In terms of health, Arizona will be without massive nose-tackle Tiaoalii Savea, as well as defensive end Tre Smith, who was lost for the season a few weeks ago.
Offensive Outlook: Cincinnati
Facing frequent man coverage and exotic pressures, the Bearcats know Saturday will demand precision across the offensive unit—not just from quarterback Brendan Sorsby, whom Arizona will undoubtedly test.
“It’s more than just Sorsby,” Satterfield said. “Guys have to block well up front, we have to run good routes, throw and catch… If one or two guys are not executing, you’re going to have a much more difficult time moving the football.”
“The quarterback is the best quarterback we’ve seen so far,” Brennan said. “A really clean passer… extremely athletic.”
He also singled out Cincinnati star WR Cyrus Allen as a handful:
“He’s the best receiver we’ve played against… a great combination of speed and talent.”
The run game, which has been one of Cincinnati’s most efficient weapons this year, remains a central piece of the plan. Satterfield once again highlighted the importance of controlling the clock, staying on schedule, and leaning on an offensive line that has quietly had a strong season.
The health of running backs Tawee Walker and Evan Pryor continues to trend upward, with Satterfield indicating both are improving as the week progresses.
“We have to be able to run the football,” he said. “It comes down to execution up front, and this will be another great challenge for the guys.”
Tight end Joe Royer remains a focal point in the passing game, even if attention from defenses has limited his touches at times. Satterfield praised Cincinnati’s balanced distribution among receivers, noting that attention given to Royer often opens opportunities elsewhere.
Earlier this week, Cincinnati's offensive line was named a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award, while Sorsby was named a semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien Award.
Quarterback Spotlight: Noah Fifita
If Arizona’s defense is disruptive, its offense is explosive—and it starts with quarterback Noah Fifita, one of the conference’s elite playmakers, who last week tied the school’s all-time passing-touchdown record.
(Photo: Arizona Athletics)
Satterfield’s respect for Fifita was unmistakable.
“He’s started 31 games… an incredible player,” he said. “He does a great job buying time and scrambling. He’s scrambling to throw, but he can run.”
Fifita’s duality makes him uniquely challenging. While Baylor’s Sawyer Robertson—a QB Cincinnati saw earlier this year—brought size, Fifita brings slipperiness and improvisational creativity.
On Arizona’s final drive against Kansas last week, Fifita ripped off runs of 9 and 11 yards in key situations, reminding opponents he’s as dangerous with his legs as he is with his arm.
Defending him requires discipline, varied looks, and sound coverage—because if he escapes the pocket, the Bearcats’ secondary can expect to be stressed for extended plays.
“If you flush him out, now he’s on the perimeter looking downfield,” Satterfield said. “If you lose some cover somewhere, he’s going to make you pay.”
Generating pressure is key, but controlling Fifita’s escape lanes may matter just as much.
Fifita currently has 67 career passing touchdowns and 8,155 career passing yards, marks that rank tied for first and third in program history, respectively. Fifita’s next passing touchdown will set the program record. The fourth-year signal caller was selected to a trio of watch lists this preseason, earning national recognition from the Maxwell Award, the Polynesian Player of the Year Award, and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. He was also added to the Manning Award watch list last month and has earned a pair of Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week nods.
Cincinnati will also have to account for Arizona running backs Ismail Mahdi and Quincy Craig, who was named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week after scoring two touchdowns on five touches in last weekend's win over Kansas. Craig tallied 60 all-purpose yards against Kansas. Mahdi exploded for 189 yards on 22 carries in an early season win over Kansas State and leads the team with 591 rushing yards.
Arizona Underrated? Cincinnati Thinks So
At 6–3, Arizona has played one of the toughest schedules in the Big 12 and came close to major wins, including a narrow loss to BYU after leading late. Satterfield argued that the national perception hasn’t caught up.
“They easily could be 8–1 right now,” he said. “They are underrated at 6–3. They have team speed, they run physically, and they have good plans in all three phases. That’s the recipe for success.”
The Wildcats also showed they can win with physicality, closing out Kansas with a late, run-heavy drive—an indication that their offense is more than its high-profile passing game.
Keys to the Game
1. Cincinnati’s Offensive Execution
Against a defense that thrives on confusion and pressure, the Bearcats must stay on schedule, avoid turnovers, and maintain balance. A strong run game would ease Sorsby’s reads and keep Arizona’s blitz packages honest.
2. Containing Noah Fifita
Pressure without discipline will burn Cincinnati. The Bearcats must mix coverages, shift looks, and avoid giving Fifita easy escape lanes.
3. Turnover Margin
Arizona excels here, and Cincinnati cannot afford to lose this battle—especially against a team that thrives on short fields.
4. Winning the Physical Matchup Up Front
Both teams want to run the ball. Whoever controls the trenches will dictate tempo and time of possession.
Final Thoughts
Saturday’s showdown at Nippert Stadium features two programs with similar identities: physical, opportunistic defenses; balanced offenses; and elite quarterback play on one side. Cincinnati enters rested, confident, and in control of its destiny. Arizona arrives underrated, red-hot, and anchored by one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the nation.
Satterfield summed it up best: preparation will decide everything.
With a Big 12 title race heating up, Cincinnati vs. Arizona is not just a November game—it’s a proving ground for two teams aiming to show they belong at the top of the conference.