BYU is back after a week away, and the most important development since we’ve last talked is the running back situation.

Through the first five weeks of the season, quarterback Jake Retzlaff is the Cougars’ leading rusher. It’s mostly because BYU hasn’t kept any of its running backs healthy for more than a few quarters.

LJ Martin went out early in Week 2. Sione I Moa had his breakout against Kansas State, and was injured before the next week. Even Hinckley Ropati went down after 21 total carries.

But going into this weekend’s matchup against Arizona, head coach Kalani Sitake believes the running back room is at full strength ... finally.

BYU used its extra practices last week to start working Martin, Moa and Ropati back into the fold. Martin hasn’t played in over a month.

“It was important to get those extra reps for them,” Sitake said.

Now, the question is whether BYU will use a featured back in this game. Offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick has opted for a rushing attack by committee this year — shuffling guys in and out.

With Martin and Moa back, maybe one will clearly emerge as the leader.

“It is a problem, but a different problem now. We got back our depth chart,” Sitake said. “Now that they are back, we will just see how we deal with it in this next game.”

The Big Thing

Arizona is a hard team to decipher. It already has two losses — including last week to Texas Tech — but it also has two of the best players in the conference.

Quarterback Noah Fifita and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan are both potential first-round NFL draft picks.

McMillan’s already had three games of over 130 yards receiving this year alone. He went for 304 yards and four touchdowns against New Mexico. He added 161 against Tech last week. That was after a 2023 season where he finished top five in the country in receiving yards.

Fifita, too, is sitting No. 26 nationally in total yards. When he is playing well, he can take over any defense. He handled Utah just fine two weeks ago.

It gives Arizona almost a basketball team feel to it — where just two players can commandeer a game’s outcome.

That is BYU’s challenge this week. And Sitake knows it — he’s even watched the high school film where Fifita and McMillan played together.

“It’s always deadly. They have a great connection. But that was back to when they were in high school together,” Sitake said. “He makes some tough throws and has an elite awareness. You combine that with McMillan’s ability to catch the ball and get open.”

One thing to look for: Can BYU get pressure on Fifita, make him uncomfortable and get him down?

Arizona has allowed pressure on its quarterback. Fifita’s seen 15-plus pressures in every Big 12 game so far. But not every team has been able to actually bring him down.

Against Utah, Fifita saw 17 pressures but no sacks. Arizona won that game.

But against Tech, he saw 15 pressures and was sacked twice. He lost that one.

Oddly enough, Tech and Northern Arizona were the two teams to actually get Fifita down this year (over 13% of their pressures turned into sacks). BYU should have its chances to get to Fifita this week.

Question of the Week

Who should get more carries this week: Martin, Ropati or Moa? Reply to this email with your thoughts.

4th down

(AP)

1. Dealing with physicality

This Arizona defense is going to be physical, maybe the most physical test of the season so far. We’ve talked about Chase Roberts’ evolution in handling man coverage better. This is the type game where it can show up.

BYU should see plenty of man coverage this week. The Cougars need to put up points to match Arizona’s offensive output.

2. Handling the pressure

Baylor wasn’t a blitz-heavy team. Yet in the second half, all the Bears did was bring pressure after pressure on Retzlaff. It was partly because BYU couldn’t make them pay for it.

It had some chances to rip off big plays in the passing game. But there were some early drops and miscues. BYU went 1-for-8 on third down in the second half. Even converting one of those might have lessened the pressure.

If Arizona sees that and wants to blitz BYU, look out to see if the Cougars can break it.

3. Kody Epps out

One player BYU will not have this week: Kody Epps. The receiver left the game in Waco and is going to sit against Arizona. The hope is to get him back for Oklahoma State in two weeks, Sitake said.

4. Pay and the center problem

Circling back to the center problem. Connor Pay is out this week and is shooting to return against Utah. BYU spent its bye week working out who will replace him. Sitake has three options but Sonny Makasini is the most likely. He came in for Pay against Baylor and it went fine. But Makasini really hasn’t played center much. He mostly works at guard.

Up next

BYU vs. Arizona

LaVell Edwards Stadium

Kickoff: 2 p.m.

TV: FOX

Thanks for reading!

— Kevin Reynolds