Iowa State football heads to Tucson this Saturday to take on No. 25 Arizona in the Wildcats' homecoming game. Coming off a bye week, the Cyclones look to bounce back from a 24-10 loss to No. 8 BYU and keep their postseason hopes alive. 

Arizona holds a 4-2-1 all-time series advantage and a winning record against the Cyclones in Tucson. However, Iowa State won the most recent meeting, defeating Arizona 39-14 in Ames last season.

The Wildcats enter the matchup at 5-1 overall and 2-1 in Big 12 play after their first AP Top 25 ranking of the season on October 18, following a bye week. Arizona last took the field on October 10, beating West Virginia 52-31. 

Here are three Wildcat players you need to know before tuning in to this primetime clash in the desert. 

Fifta has become one of the Big 12's most productive quarterbacks. Through the first slate of games, he has thrown for 1,756 yards and 16 touchdowns while completing 73.3% of his passes. In his career, he has totaled 10,939 passing yards and 89 touchdowns, ranking among the top active FBS quarterbacks. 

Matchup concern for Iowa State: The Cyclones will need to pressure Fifita and disrupt Arizona's offensive line to prevent him from settling into a rhythm. However, they must do so without leaving the Wildcats' receivers open downfield. Arizona is averaging 306.7 passing yards per game, making its passing attack a challenge for Iowa State's defense. If the Cyclones can maintain pressure, they can limit Fifita's opportunities to create explosive plays and lead and scoring quickly. 

It's no secret that Isaiah Mizell is one of Noah Fifita's favorite targets. The sophomore wide receiver has recorded more than 300 receiving yards and four touchdowns this season. With Arizona missing its top three starting wide receivers in its last matchup, Mizell stepped up, showcasing his ability to make an impact in the Wildcats' passing game.

Matchup concern for Iowa State: Mizell's ability to be close to his quarterback and turn it into a larger gain makes him a player the Cyclone defense cannot afford to not cover. Against West Virginia, he had two touchdown passes, including a 72-yard score. Tackling Mizell quickly is a must to slow the Arizona offense down. 

If we're looking for defensive threats, linebacker Taye Brown will prove to be a force to reckon with. In 2025, the senior recorded 93 tackles and 1.5 sacks. He has an eye for creating fumbles during games. This season, he has already totaled 39 tackles and .5 sacks. 

Matchup concern for Iowa State: Brown may prove to be a challenge to the offensive line when it comes to creating a running game. Iowa State will have to keep an eye out for Brown and create plays that put players across the field to limit his ability to disrupt the flow of the field. 

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