2023 Mississippi State football summer opponent preview: Arizona Wildcats

Sep 10, 2022; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Will Rogers (2) drops back to pass during the first half against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2022; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Will Rogers (2) drops back to pass during the first half against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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Arizona Wildcats quarterback Jayden de Laura tries to throw a pass while pressured by Mississippi State football's Tyrus Wheat
TUCSON, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 10: Quarterback Jayden de Laura #7 of the Arizona Wildcats eyes an open teammate as linebacker Tyrus Wheat #2 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs pursues during the NCAA football game at Arizona Stadium on September 10, 2022 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)

Meet the Arizona Wildcats, the second foe on the 2023 Mississippi State football schedule

The Arizona Wildcats appear to be a rebuilding team on the rise in the Pac-12 South. Led by head coach Jedd Fisch, who is entering his third season in Tucson, the Wildcats seem to be incrementally improving as they move forward as a program.

They could present some problems for teams in the Pac-12. They could also theoretically cause some chaos for the Mississippi State football team in 2023.

If you aren’t familiar with the Wildcats, let’s get you up to speed real quick:

Arizona Wildcats fast facts:

Although Arizona is a team that finished near the bottom of the Pac-12 with a 5-7 overall record in 2022 (and a 3-6 record in conference play), managed to challenge teams like the USC Trojans and UCLA Bruins.

Oh, and Arizona flat out beat UCLA and only lost to Arizona by eight points. This team could truly give MSU some issues. Or maybe MSU wins big. It’s hard to tell right now.

One thing to note is that no team should take their game against Arizona for granted. They may not be the best in the Pac-12 and their defense was certainly flawed a season ago, but they will try to find a way to score a ton of points and force you into a chaotic track meet.