Summer Schedule Preview: OSU Heads to Arizona for First Meeting as Big 12 Foes

The Cowboys and Wildcats have yet to meet as Big 12 foes, but they have some history.

Oklahoma State hits the road for its second Big 12 contest, heading to Tucson to face Arizona for the first time in 13 years. The Wildcats had a disappointing debut to the Big 12 last season, but the Cowboys can’t afford to overlook anyone.

Check out our previous previews: Noncon | Baylor

Week 6: Arizona | Oct. 4 | Tucson, Arizona

Series history: 5-4

Last meeting: UA 59, OSU 38 (2012)

Fresh off an absurd 84-0 win over Savannah State, the Wes Lunt-led Cowboys headed to the desert with plenty of momentum and got off to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. But then the Wildcats scored 30 unanswered points, knocking the No. 18 Cowboys back on their heels and they never recovered.

Lunt threw for 436 yards and four touchdowns, all to Tracy Moore, but Lunt also threw three interceptions. Joseph Randle had a fumble. The Cowboys outgained the Wildcats in yards 636-501 but also lost that turnover battle 4-zip.

Arizona in 2024: Brent Brennan took over after Jedd Fisch left for Washington. Brennan inherited a 10-win team fresh off an Alamo Bowl win over Oklahoma. But in his first year, the Wildcats finished just 4-8, going 2-8 in conference play.

Arizona’s Offense in 2025: The Wildcats do return starting quarterback Noah Fifita. Arizona also lost leading receiver Tetairoa McMillan, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Leading rusher Quali Conley is also off to the NFL. They do return No. 2 wideout Chris Hunter and brought in some help via the portal in running backs Mike Mitchell (Utah) and Ismail Mahdi (Texas State) and a handful of transfer receivers.

Arizona’s Defense in 2025: The Wildcats weren’t especially effective on defense last year but do return some of their best defenders. DBs Tacario Davis (All-Big 12 Second Team) and Dalton Johnson (All-Big 12 Honorable Mention) and sack leader Tre Smith are all back.