There do not appear to be any magazine covers featuring Noah Fifita and the words \u201cHand Him the Heisman.\u201d<\/p>\n
The lack of national buzz for Arizona\u2019s senior QB, or really for Arizona in general, is understandable. While both passer and team are coming off a very good \u2014 and surprising \u2014 2025 season, few look at either and feel like they are among the very best in the country.<\/p>\n
Five or so months from now when the regular season has come to a close the perception may be correct. But with regards to Arizona and the 2026 season, the hope is it\u2019s wrong.<\/p>\n
This could be a now or never kinda deal.<\/p>\n
That Arizona is hyping up Fifita makes total sense. He is the face of the program and someone who should be promoted as much as can be. Passing out the QB\u2019s \u201cresume\u201d at Big 12 Media Days was a nice touch.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we\u2019re incredibly blessed to have a quarterback like Noah Fifita that definitely has a Heisman resume, and some of you all can check that data in front of you, because I think we passed out a resume to everybody in the building,\u201d Arizona coach Brent Brennan said<\/a>. \u201cNoah Fifita is the best story in college football.\u201d<\/p>\n That story comes to an end after this season.<\/p>\n You have to go back to 2021 to find the last time Arizona went into the season with uncertainty at the QB position. This will be Fifita\u2019s third consecutive season as the unquestioned starter and by the time he leaves, health permitting, should hold the program records for career passing touchdowns, passing yards and, hopefully, wins.<\/p>\n Add in what he does in the locker room and off the field, and Arizona has absolutely benefited from a special player and person who will be incredibly difficult to replace.<\/p>\n Which again, Arizona will have to after this season.<\/p>\n No pressure? There\u2019s a little pressure. Maybe even a lot.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to go out there and get him that Heisman,\u201d receiver Tre Spivey told the Arizona Daily Star\u2019s Justin Spears at Big 12 Media Days<\/a>. \u201cThat\u2019s all we can talk about, making sure that Noah gets the Heisman this year.\u201d<\/p>\n Added fellow wideout Chris Hunter: \u201cHe\u2019s the greatest quarterback in the nation. We believe that. We do everything we can to make sure the whole world knows that.\u201d<\/p>\n This is the type of stuff you\u2019d expect to hear from teammates. And hey, if the receivers and rest of the team play a little harder or are a bit more focused because of what they want for their QB, that\u2019s cool.<\/p>\n But while Fifita\u2019s Heisman odds are justifiably on the low end\u2014FanDuel Sportsbook<\/a> has him at +10000\u2014the mere fact that Arizona\u2019s coaches, players and football staff can even talk about the idea without it being simply ludicrous shows even more how unique a situation this is for the program.<\/p>\n