COLUMN: WVU football defense needs to improve to pull off an upset over Arizona
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MORGANTOWN -- West Virginia football has lost in back-to-back weeks to start Big 12 play, which makes it two-for-two for Rich Rodriguez since he's been back to Morgantown. There's plenty of blame to go around, but it's hard not to point fingers at the defense this week after allowing 577 yards and 45 points when the offense had 42 points and over 500 yards itself. This is the second-straight week the defense hasn't pulled its weight.
Fans are putting a majority of blame on defensive coordinator Zac Alley because he has full control of the playcalling, and rightfully so, but the players need some of the blame, too.
The defense doesn't have an easy road to show improvement. Arizona comes to Morgantown this weekend as one of the top teams in the Big 12 for a second-straight noon matchup. The Wildcats are 4-1 and are 1-1 in the conference, with the only loss to BYU, who is ranked No. 8 in the AP Poll. Arizona is coming off a 34-7 win over undefeated Cincinnati. The Wildcats earned 19 votes in the poll, placing unofficially tied for No. 32 with Minnesota.
Looking at Arizona's offense, it has one of the top passing attacks in the conference thanks to fifth-year quarterback Noah Fifita. Fifita entered 2026 as the reigning AP first-team All-Big 12 quarterback and had a lot of expectations for this season. The Wildcats' public relations staff handed out his resume to consider him this season for the Heisman Trophy.
Through five games, Fifita has thrown for 1,415 yards and 13 passing touchdowns. He has 100-yard rushing and three scores. Receiver Tre Spivey is his top target on 22 catches for 314 yards and four scores. Luckily, three of the top leading receivers will be out, including Spivey. Fifita has other options, including former WVU player Rodney Gallagher III.
Alley and the defense have been assaulted through the air by quarterbacks and even running backs. The defense allowed Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker to throw for 389 yards and three touchdowns. Rodriguez said he needed to see improvement, and then Jaylen Raylor threw for 264 yards and a score, and running back Aiden Flora, the walk-on, threw for two scores on trick plays.
It might get worse against one of the best quarterbacks in the Big 12.
Alley and the defense can't afford another disastrous performance. There are already fans and outlets calling for Alley's job, so another 500-yard beatdown might be the final straw.
Luckily, last week, WVU's offense seemed to have figured it out, even when facing one of the better defenses in the conference. Rodriguez's offense scored 42 points and gained 518 yards of offense. The ground attack kept up its successful outings and averaged 7.3 yards per rush for 291 yards. But it'll be highly tested against Arizona's defensive front, which is one of the best in stopping the run.
Like we learned last week, it doesn't matter if the offense looks good if the defense can't stop a cold.
At least, Alley has started to really feel the pressure, losing sleep and dropping F-bombs at his press conferences, so there's no question he'll give it his all.
Now the question is if his players respond to save their defensive coordinator’s job. It won't be easy against Fifita, but even just some improvement could help build momentum for the rest of the season, and importantly for Alley, add a few extra days on his stay in Morgantown.
It’ll help Rodriguez, too, because he won’t have to make a tough decision firing one of his closest and youngest staff members.
I think the defense does improve, but not enough to slow down Fifita, even without some of his top weapons.
Prediction: Arizona 31, West Virginia 24