Iowa State (3-3, 1-2) faces a tough test as it travels to Tucson to take on Arizona on Saturday, Oct. 24. The No. 25 Wildcats (5-1, 2-1) have demonstrated their offensive firepower throughout the first half the season, but individual playmaking and defensive production could ultimately decide how this matchup unfolds.

We'll have plenty to preview on Saturday's contest at Casino Del Sol Stadium (6:30 CT, ESPN2) throughout the week on IowaStateRoundtable.com, but for now, here are five fast facts about this Arizona team. 

Quarterback Noah Fifita has been one of the Wildcats' most consistent players this season. Through the first six games, he has completed 140 of 191 passes for 1,756 yards and 16 touchdowns, completing 73.3% of his attempts. He has also thrown four interceptions. Fifita's accuracy and ability to distribute the football make him a major challenge for Iowa State's secondary. The Cyclones will need consistent pressure without allowing him to stand in a clean pocket and find open receivers.  

Wide receiver Isaiah Mizell has recorded 19 receptions for 359 yards and four touchdowns. His ability to generate explosive plays also makes him one of Iowa State's most important players to monitor. Mizell delivered a standout performance against West Virginia on Oct. 10 finishing with six catches for 183 yards and two touchdowns. The Cyclones will need to stop him if they want to win.

Running back Kendrick Reescano has carried the ball 72 times for 262 yards and four touchdowns, even though his 3.6 yards per carry indicates that he has struggled in 2026. Arizona landed a big win when Reescano transferred to the program after barely playing for Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss in 2023, and head coach Brent Brennan is enjoying Reescano's benefits. 

Speaking of Brennan, he is in the midst of his third season in Tucson after taking over for Jedd Fisch in 2024. The Wildcats finished with a disappointing 4-8 record in that 2024 campaign, but the coaching prowess that showed off at San Jose State is beginning to appear in the desert. Arizona went 9-4 last year and is a few more wins from being a player in the Big 12 race. The Arizona job was a well-deserved stepping stone for Brennan, who took a struggling San Jose State team to three bowl game appearances and the 2020 Mountain West title. 

If you're curious about the name of Arizona's football stadium, that's because it's a very new change most Wildcat fans are probably still getting used to. Arizona has played its home games at the same stadium since 1929, and prior to November 2025, the stadium was referred to as simply Arizona Stadium. Since naming rights are becoming a common thing in college athletics today, Arizona hopped on the trend and secured a 20-year, $60 million deal with the Pascua Taqui Tribe, which then named the stadium after its casino, Casino Del Sol. 

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