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Dec 19, 2015; Albuquerque, NM, USA; Arizona Wildcats running back Jared Baker (23) dodges a tackle by New Mexico Lobos linebacker Donnie White (54) during a 27 yard touchdown run in the second half in the 2015 New Mexico Bowl at University Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images

Evaluating Arizona's Bowl Game Projections Ahead of Kansas

Originally posted on Arizona Wildcats on SI
By Troy Hutchison | Last updated Nov 6, 2025 12:00 PM ET

Welcome! To another edition of the Arizona Wildcats Insiders Podcast featuring your host Troy Hutchison, who will be delivering a daily podcast discussing everything happening surrounding Arizona athletics giving you an inside look at all the programs on campus.

Hutchison has been covering Arizona for the last seven years, with his coverage spanning all-across UA’s campus from football and men’s basketball to Title IX sports. Plus, with so many former Wildcats playing at the next level in their respective sports, there will be moments where he will take a deep dive into the Cats' excelling outside of Tucson.

Throughout the Brent Brennan era, thus far, Arizona has struggled on the road, losing 5-straight games and having a 1-5 record. In the last game, the Wildcats battled back from a 28-14 deficit but couldn’t complete the comeback, falling 31-28 against Houston.

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Arizona (5-3, 2-3 Big 12) went up against Colorado following the bye week and started off hot, hitting receiver Tre Spivey for a 57-yard touchdown, setting the tone early in the game. From that point on, it was all Wildcats as they went on to hammer the Buffaloes 52-17, sealing the fifth win of the year.

The win for Arizona puts them right back in the spotlight for a bowl berth with just four games left on the schedule, and the Wildcats are now one win away from a spot in the postseason.

Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

The Wildcats’ remaining opponents have a combined record of 23-13 with a road test against No. 25 Cincinnati, which didn’t make the first College Football Playoff Rankings of the season.

So, we at Arizona Wildcats On SI took a look around the national landscape to see where outlets have the Wildcats going when looking at the bowl predictions.

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National Bowl Projections

CBS Sports: Rate Bowl | Arizona vs. Iowa (Dec. 26)

College Football News: LA Bowl | Arizona vs. San Diego State (Dec. 13)

ESPN No. 1: LA Bowl | Arizona vs. San Diego State (Dec. 13)

ESPN No. 2: LA Bowl | Arizona vs. San Diego State (Dec. 13)

USA Today: Sun Bowl | Arizona vs. SMU (Dec. 31)

Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

As of right now, only one major outlet has Arizona not making a bowl game, which is Sports Illustrated. However, this could change quickly if the Wildcats make a statement this upcoming weekend against Kansas at home.

Against Colorado, quarterback Noah Fifita was a massive reason why the Wildcats were able to get back on track as he went 11 of 19 on his passing attempts, racking up 213 yards and tossed four touchdown passes in three quarters of action.

On the defensive side of the ball, Arizona was able to put together a stout game plan where the Wildcats forced Colorado into five turnovers and held them to 299 yards of total offense with 170 passing and 129 rushing.

Now with a coming performance under the Wildcats’ belt, Arizona is one win from a bowl game and we at Arizona Wildcats On SI have come up with our bowl prediction for UA with four games left on the schedule.

Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

Bowl Prediction

Arizona Wildcats On SI: Sun Bowl | Arizona vs. Wake Forest (Dec. 31)

Reason

When you look at the Wildcats as a whole, Arizona has improved drastically from the first year under Brennan but still has room to grow on both sides of the ball. Now, getting out to the fast 3-0 start will go a long way for UA as it tries to get to that magic number of six to become bowl eligible.

At the beginning of the season, we predicted Arizona winning seven games going 7-5 during the regular season. That is still where we stand today and have the Wildcats getting to that 7-win mark.