Grading Brent Brennan's Coaching Job in No. 25 Arizona's Win Over ASU

At the beginning of the season, No. 25 Arizona (9-3, 6-3 Big 12) was looked at as one of the bottom teams in the Big 12 after going 4-8 the previous season in Year 1 of the Brent Brennan era. However, this offseason, Brennan mixed up the coaching staff and added new faces on the roster in hopes of turning things around.

Well, those changes worked and the Wildcats were 8-3 heading into the 99th Territorial Cup, which was the same case for No. 20 Arizona State despite injuries suffered throughout the season.

Saturday marked only the fifth time in Territorial Cup history that both teams came into the game ranked in the Top 25 and the first time since the 2014 season when then-No. 11 Arizona beat then-No. 13 ASU 42-35 to capture the Pac 12 South Title.

This game was all about the defense as two of the better defensive units in the Big 12 went head-to-head. But, it was the Wildcats that came up with just enough offense to secure the 23-7 win over the Sun Devils.

Overall, Arizona now leads the all-time series 52-46-1 over Arizona State with the 100th meeting coming next season.

Much like the 2023 season when Noah Fifita took over the starting quarterback job, Arizona has ended the regular season on a winning streak and has now clipped off five-straight wins putting the team one-win away from a 10-win season.

If the Wildcats are able to win their bowl game, it would be the first time in program history that Arizona has had two 10-plus win seasons in a three-year period. Overall, UA has only achieved that mark for times in its history.

Dec 28, 2023; San Antonio, TX, USA; Arizona Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita (11) throws a pass in the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images | Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

The Wildcats will now await to see where they will be going bowling with the Sun, Holiday and Vegas bowl all being realistic possibilities for Arizona.

With the game in the books, we at Arizona Wildcats On SI put together our grade for head coach Brent Brennan in Arizona’s win over ASU.

Grade: A+

Reason

This was one of the best coaching jobs of the season for Brennan and his staff. Much like we have seen throughout this season, the Wildcats were able to make halftime adjustments after trailing 7-3 and shut out the Sun Devils’ offense the rest of the way and held the, to 100 yards rushing for the game.

Arizona head coach Brent Brennan celebrates defensive back Genesis Smith (12) during a game against Arizona State at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe on Nov. 28, 2025. | Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Meanwhile, on the offensive side of the ball, Arizona didn’t go away from what it is as an offensive unit. Although there were issues in the first half with finishing drives, Brennan made sure to stick with the game plan and it paid off in a massive way for the Wildcats.