College Football Preview 2024: Arizona Wildcats win projections, strengths and weaknesses, quarterback spotlight and more

Head coach: Brent Brennan (first season)
2023 record: 10-3 (won Alamo Bowl)
PFF power ranking: 24th
Chance to win the Big 12: 23%
Strength of schedule: 68th
Projected win total: 8.9
FanDuel win total: 7.5
2024 recruiting rank (On3): No. 70 nationally, No. 16 in the Big 12

Arizona was one of the biggest surprises in college football last season. The Wildcats started with a preseason win total of 5.5 after enduring five straight losing seasons. However, their season took an unexpected turn when starting quarterback Jayden de Laura suffered an ankle injury in the fourth game. This led to redshirt freshman Noah Fifita stepping in as the new quarterback.

Fifita helped Arizona exceed expectations, leading the team to a 10-3 record, their best since 1998. Now, the Wildcats enter their first year in the Big 12 conference with a new head coach, Brent Brennan from San Jose State, following Jedd Fisch's departure to Washington.

Despite the coaching change, Arizona remains a top contender for the Big 12 title, with several star players returning to the program.

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Biggest Strength: The Fifita-McMillan connection

Noah Fifita and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan rank among the 10 best players at their respective positions. They have also been playing together since middle school, and their chemistry is unrivaled in college football.

Biggest Weakness: Pass rush

While Arizona completely rebuilt its defensive line in the transfer portal, it could still struggle to get after the quarterback. Of the Wildcats’ four projected starters at defensive tackle and edge defender, two earned pass-rushing grades below 60.0 last year, while all four failed to crack 75.0.

2023 Team Overview

Offense
EPA per play	Yards per play	Successful play rate	Explosive run play rate	Explosive pass play rate
0.183	6.8	41.5%	16.8%	19.1%
7th	10th	5th	T-48th	15th
Defense
EPA allowed per play	Yards allowed per play	Successful play rate allowed	Explosive run rate allowed	Explosive pass rate allowed
-0.077	5.4	34.0%	16.7%	15.2%
35th	T-51st	T-54th	93rd	T-97th

Three Notable Transfer Portal Additions

RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt (New Mexico): 92.7 PFF Grade
DI Kevon Darton (Syracuse): 74.3 PFF Grade
RB Quali Conley (San Jose State): 84.8 PFF Grade

Three Notable Transfer Portal Losses

RB Jonah Coleman (Washington): 91.4 PFF Grade
DI Bill Norton (Texas): 70.6 PFF Grade
CB Ephesians Prysock (Washington): 71.3 PFF Grade

Quarterback Spotlight: Noah Fifita

2023 Grade: 82.4
Key Stat: 93.1 intermediate passing grade (3rd among qualified FBS QBs)