Northern Arizona at Arizona

Arizona’s route to control is straightforward: protect Fifita, avoid giveaways and make Northern Arizona defend the full field before the visitors can settle in. Defensively, Taye Brown returns after 93 tackles and Chase Kennedy after four sacks, while a heavily reworked secondary has to communicate cleanly and prevent cheap explosives. Northern Arizona’s route is to shorten possessions, win field position and create negative plays that push Arizona into third-and-long. If the Lumberjacks can protect the ball, tackle securely and turn one takeaway or special-teams swing into a short field, they can keep the night uncomfortable; if not, Fifita’s experience can dictate the pace.