TUCSON — After taking care of West Virginia in a rainy climate, the Cougars will travel to Tucson to take on the Wildcats in another expected stormy environment.
Prepare for the elements
Tucson is currently in the projected path of Hurricane Priscilla, which is expected to make landfall in southwest Mexico on Friday night and impact southeastern Arizona, including the Tucson area. Early reports show expected rainfall between 2 and 5 inches on Saturday evening.
There has been no indication the game will be moved or postponed, so both teams appear likely to play through the conditions. Regardless, the Cougars will have to prepare for whatever weather comes their way in the Arizona climate.
That could mean placing greater emphasis on the run game, which was relatively limited against the Mountaineers last week. Despite the conditions last week, quarterback Bear Bachmeier was able to throw for a career-best 351 yards, but the weather in Tucson may restrict any similar passing attack this weekend.
Find ways to get to Fifita, again
In the Cougars’ 41-19 win over the Wildcats last season, BYU was able to get pressure on quarterback Noah Fifita nearly every other down. While recording just one sack — a strip sack from Isaiah Glasker — BYU’s defense forced Fifita into multiple turnovers and throwaways, limiting him to a 50% completion rate on 52 passes.
BYU forced Fifita into his second-worst PFF grade of the season, pressured him on 25 plays, and picked him off three times, including a game-sealing pick six — also by Glasker.
The Cougars are expected to be without premier pass rusher Jack Kelly, who sustained a shoulder injury against West Virginia. While not official, Kelly was listed as “doubtful” on BYU’s injury report this week.
Don’t give Arizona good field position
BYU outgained West Virginia by more than 200 yards last week but gave the Mountaineers short fields twice — both resulting in touchdowns. A fumble by Jovesa Damuni and a batted-down speed option allowed the final score to appear closer than it truly was.
In what could be a low-scoring, rain-soaked game, BYU’s offense will need to play as cleanly as it did in the first four games of the year, when it committed zero turnovers. While a single turnover may not decide the game, limiting Arizona’s offensive opportunities will be key for the Cougars.
No. 18 BYU and Arizona are scheduled to kick off at 6 p.m. MDT Saturday on ESPN2.
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