Big 12 Conference newcomer Arizona is bringing some extra weight to its first season in the league after coming over from the Pac-12 Conference, landing at No. 21 in the Associated Press Top 25 Preseason Rankings released on Aug. 12.
The other four teams from the Big 12 to make the Top 25 were No. 12 Utah, No. 17 Oklahoma State, No. 18 Kansas State and No. 22 Kansas. Georgia was No. 1 and defending national champion Michigan came in at No. 9.
Arizona went 10-4 in 2023 and finished No. 11 in the final AP Poll after a win over Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl. It’s the first time Arizona has been ranked in the AP Preseason Top 25 since 2015.
The Wildcats return several projected first-round picks in wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, quarterback Noah Fifita, offensive tackle Jonah Savaiinaea, and cornerback Tacario Davis.
Kansas State opens the season at home on Aug. 31 against Tennessee-Martin.