Arizona Found Out the Big 12 Hits Different
Remember when Arizona was 10-3 in the Pac-12? That was like five minutes ago. They were rolling. They had momentum. They were coming to the Big 12 with expectations.
Then they actually played Big 12 football and went 5-7.
Welcome to the conference, cats. It’s different here.
I’m not trying to be mean about it — okay maybe a little bit — but Arizona got a reality check this year. The Pac-12 was a finesse conference. Speed and skill. The Big 12 is a physical conference. Size and power.
Arizona’s offensive line got pushed around all season. I watched the Kansas State game and it was borderline uncomfortable. K-State just ran the ball right at them for four quarters. No tricks. No misdirection. Just power football. Arizona had no answer.
The desert speed that worked in the Pac-12 doesn’t work the same way here. When you’re playing against teams that have 300-pound defensive tackles and linebackers who actually tackle, you need more than quick receivers and a talented quarterback.
Noah Fifita is good. I’ll say that clearly. The kid can play. But he spent most of the season running for his life because the protection wasn’t there. Twelve interceptions is rough, but half of those were desperation throws with defenders in his face.
Tetairoa McMillan is an NFL receiver playing in college. That’s not an exaggeration. The dude is 6’5″ and runs like he’s 6’1″. Every week he made catches that shouldn’t be possible. He’s going to be a star at the next level.
But one receiver can’t carry an offense. And McMillan tried his best to do exactly that.
Mike’s note: Arizona’s adjustment to the Big 12 was always going to be tough. The physicality gap is real. They need to recruit bigger offensive linemen and find defensive tackles who can hold up against the run. That takes multiple recruiting cycles.
The Territorial Cup loss to Arizona State probably stung the most. Lose to your rival when you’re already having a bad season? That’s salt in the wound.
Arizona will be fine eventually. They have too much going for them — the Tucson location, the QB talent, the receiver pipeline — to stay down forever. But 2025 was a humbling year.
— Jake