Arizona is in the Associated Press Top 25 for the first time since 2017, which was also the last occasion it appeared in the College Football Playoff rankings. The Wildcats (6-3, 4-2 Pac-12) are also bowl eligible, knowing there will be at least one more game to play after the remaining three that are scheduled.
The UA’s opponent this week, Colorado, is in the complete opposite situation. The Buffaloes (4-5, 1-5) are reeling, after being ranked early in the season and landing tons of national attention thanks to first-year coach Deion Sanders, and have to win two of their last three including at least one road game to get to bowl eligibility.