No. 18 BYU at Arizona in Big 12 clash as storms approach

No. 18 BYU visits Arizona Stadium in Tucson on Saturday evening for a Big 12 clash that pits unbeaten BYU (5-0) against 4-1 Arizona. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. Eastern on ESPN2. The game will test BYU’s balanced attack and stout defense against a Wildcats team that has transformed its passing defense into a signature strength this season.

BYU’s offense is led by true freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier, who has completed 68.7 percent of his passes, thrown seven touchdown passes and added five rushing scores while passing for more than 1,000 yards this season. The Cougars also rank among the nation’s best running teams, averaging about 234 yards per game on the ground. Defensively, BYU has allowed just 12.2 points per game and forced nine turnovers through five games, giving them one of the Big 12’s top units.

Arizona’s resurgence has centered on improved offense and an increasingly stingy secondary. Quarterback Noah Fifita has thrown for roughly 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns, and the Wildcats’ defense has not surrendered a passing touchdown this season. Arizona is coming off a 41-13 win over Oklahoma State and has matched its overall win total from last season’s debut Big...