Sports

The new generation of NCAA football is immersed in NIL and the transfer portal. However, not every player is interested in switching teams.

Noah Fifita is a rare athlete in the current transfer portal era. Fifita is one of five senior quarterbacks, including redshirts, within the Football Bowl Subdivision to spend the entirety of their collegiate career at one program.

Fifita, originally from Huntington, California, chose the University of Arizona for their loyalty and trust in his talents. He’s reciprocated those qualities back to the program by staying.

“I hope I am able to put a Big 12 Title and Rose Bowl into the stadium because that would last forever, and I hope that I was able to leave the place better than I found it,” Fifita said.

Fifita has been with the Wildcats for five years, and before entering the 2026 season held the record for most passing touchdowns by an active player in the NCAA, with 73. Last season, he completed 3,228 passing yards for 29 touchdowns, breaking the program’s single-season record previously held by Nick Foles by one TD.

Additionally, Fifita holds Arizona’s all-time passing touchdown record and currently sits at second for career passing yards at 9,445. Fifita trails Nick Foles only needing 566 yards to claim the record, a milestone he is likely to accomplish this season.

Now his success within this program is due to his dedication and consistent decision to play for their program. Coach Brent Brennan says Fifita is a prime example of what it means to be a Wildcat and how the surrounding community notices that.

“People appreciate loyalty to the University of Arizona. They appreciate loyalty in the city of Tucson, and no one has been more loyal than Noah Fifita,” Brennan said.

Tucson and the University of Arizona believes in Fifita so much so that three billboards have been placed throughout the state supporting the campaign for Fifita being a potential Heisman Trophy nominee. One of the billboards displays, “Noah Fifita for He1sman,” and is placed near Grant Road and Oracle Road.

Fifita initially did not realize that campaigns had been built on his behalf until his teammates began discussing it in the locker room. After seeing the billboards himself, Fifita states he felt gratitude.

“It’s an honor, I’m super grateful for it. Tucson has accepted me with open arms, so I’m super appreciative of the community and super appreciative to everyone that made that possible,” Fifita said.

However, the race for the Heisman Trophy is not an achievement that Fifita is directly aiming for. He wants to take the Wildcats to the postseason and potentially win a CFP National Championship.

The Wildcats won their first game of the 2026 season against Northern Arizona University, 35-7. Now, they look ahead to face AP ranked No.15 Brigham Young University on Sept.15, a true test to what Fifita and the Wildcats can do.

The newly revamped Pac-12 Conference is anticipated to make an impact on collegiate football. The addition of six new institutions creates a fresh era of competitiveness within the conference, which concludes its previous two-year, two-school stint. The new football members include Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Texas State and Utah State. Out of these six programs, five had previously competed in the Mountain West Conference.

Consequently, the move introduces existing familiarity and established rivalries between the schools. However, Boise State is the only new program to display postseason experience and has reached the College Football Playoff.

Regardless of past victories, the rebooted Pac-12 provides an equal opportunity for all programs to reach the conference championship. Boise State coach Spencer Danielson conveys his positive perspective on the chances of success.

“Moving forward to this season in the Pac-12, every single school in the Pac-12 has an absolute elite opportunity to win the conference,” Danielson said.

Apart from the Pac-12, right next door, the Big 12 Conference is predicted to have a favorable season. Four Big 12 Conference schools are ranked in the top 25 of the Associated Press preseason poll.

Texas Tech was placed highest at No. 12. The Red Raiders finished last season with the No. 4 seed in the national championship playoffs, a Big 12 Championship victory and an overall record of 12-2.

Red Raiders’ Coach Joey McGuire is optimistic for his program’s upcoming season and is aiming for historical goals. In July during the Big 12 Football Media Days, McGuire expressed his aspirations.

“We want to do something that very few teams have been able to do, and that’s to win the Big 12 Championship again,” McGuire said.

Followed closely behind them is Brigham Young University sitting at No. 14. Last season, BYU suffered only two losses, both against Texas Tech. The Cougars are led by sophomore quarterback Bear Bachmeier, who ended his freshman season with over 3,000 yards, 15 touchdowns and the Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year award.

BYU and Texas Tech are expected to be the main contenders for the Big 12 championship. However, Red Raiders’ McGuire suggests that Big 12 football and their postseason appearances are a focal point for improvement.

“I think it’s really important that this conference gets multiple teams in the playoffs. I think there’s an obligation as programs in this conference that we play at a high level,” McGuire said.

As the season approaches, fans can expect competitive play from both of these conferences. New teams have a chance to make an impact and showcase their talents, in hopes of advancing to the playoffs.

Noah Fifita and His Wildcat Loyalty

Big 12 Football Expectations Amidst Pac-12 Conference Relaunch

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