Priscilla could have a big impact on Saturday’s BYU-Arizona football game in Tucson.
That’s “Tropical Storm Priscilla” to us landlocked types who are used to different kinds of storms.
Reports indicate the southwestern United States may get more than a month’s worth of rain this weekend, and that includes Tucson, home of Arizona Stadium, where the 18th-raned Cougars and Wildcats are supposed to play a pretty important Big 12 football game.
The forecast for Tucson looks ominous: “A flood watch is in effect from noon Saturday to 5 pm Monday. Abundant moisture from two tropical systems may lead to periods of moderate to heavy ran and isolated thunderstorms. Forecast is fast at least one to three inches of rain. Some locations may see more than three inches.”
As of Friday, the game was still scheduled to be played at 6 p.m. MT. There is a possibility the game could be moved up or postponed all together. Or the game could start at 6 p.m., then be delayed because of nearby lightning and last until well after midnight.
Sounds like fun, huh?
“We’re ready for the monsoon, let’s go,” BYU defense ends and special teams coach Kelly Poppinga said. “There’s nothing really you can do besides special teams-wise, we’ve done some wet ball drills. It looks like it will be heavy rain, but I think our team is up for that or whatever the environment. We love the elements, we’re ready for it.”
As for the matchup, BYU (5-0 overall, 2-0 Big 12) has beaten the Wildcats in four straight meetings and has won five of the past six. The Cougars were last in Tucson in 2018 (a 28-23 victory) but this is the first time they’ve played at Arizona since both teams joined the Big 12.
Last year, BYU was dominant in a 41-19 victory at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
BYU’s defense — ranked second in points allowed in the Big 12 at 12.2 per game — will face prolific passer Noah Fifita for the second time. Last year in Provo, Fifita was 26 of 52 for 275 yards and a touchdown but three interceptions, including a pick-six from Isaiah Glasker.
Last week, Fifita threw for 376 yards and five touchdowns in just three quarters in a 41-13 rout of Oklahoma State.
“I think there were four turnovers that led to lot of points for our offense,” Poppinga said when referring to last year’s game. “We’ll have to do that again. We’ll have to put pressure on him (Fifita) and force him make bad decisions. I think they are a more of a complete team than they were a year ago. They had their big-time receiver (Tetairoa McMillian, now in the NFL). Maybe sometimes they tried to overfeed that guy a little bit. I think this year the collective receiver room is better, the running back core better, the offensive line is really good and I like the tight end. He (Fifita) obviously has a ton of experience and has played a lot of football. He might be the guy that throws it the best we play all year.”
On the other side of the ball, the Arizona defense has been very good this season, especially against the pass. The Wildcats have seven interceptions and haven’t allowed a single touchdown pass in five games.
Arizona (4-1 overall, 1-1 Big 12) suffered their only loss of the season on Sept. 27 with a 39-14 defeat at then-No. 14 Iowa State.
“They have a very unique scheme,” BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick said. “Coach (Danny) Gonzales is a Rocky Long disciple and they do a good job. He’s an excellent coach. They run a good system and they have excellent players. They’ll be the best defense we’ve played this year.”
Arizona head coach Brent Brennan is good friends with his counterpart for BYU, Kalani Sitake. The two men served on the same coaching staff at Oregon State for the 2015 season.
After the antics of the Colorado fans directing vulgar chants at BYU two weeks ago, Brennan wants Wildcat followers to behave in a much better fashion.
I would also ask our fans, let’s be respectful in this thing,” Brennan said. “We’re better than (being disrespectful). Let’s be here and let’s see a great game. Let’s cheer on the Wildcats with everything we got. Let’s make it incredibly hard on BYU, but let’s be respectful in the process.”
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