Head coach Joey McGuire has already reframed the rest of the year. "We've turned this into a five-game season where there's no room for error," he said. "So, it's going to come down to who can play the best each Saturday." Both teams are 3-1 in Big 12 play.
Quarterback Will Hammond threw an interception and fumbled in the first half at Cincinnati, one week after his best game of the season against Arizona State. Backup Thomas Castellanos could see more snaps Saturday. He has completed three of five passes for two touchdowns and one interception, and he has 15 carries for 76 yards and two scores.
The backfield gets help. Running back Cameron Dickey returns from an ankle injury he suffered earlier this month at Colorado. In the five games before it, he piled up 57 carries for 242 yards and four touchdowns. J'Koby Williams has 86 carries for 240 yards and five scores. The offensive line has a tough job, since 17 Arizona players have at least a half sack and the Wildcats allow 314.9 yards per game, fifth in the Big 12.
One of them will have two losses by Saturday night.