Arizona and Iowa State have both been a force to be reckoned with this season, and both of their unbeaten streaks add more intrigue to this Week 5 matchup. As of now, Arizona sits undefeated at 3-0 with wins over Hawaii, Weber State, and Kansas State, showcasing remarkable improvement under Brent Brennan. The Cyclones are riding an even higher 4-0 streak with a top 15 national ranking. Both of these teams have averaged 30+ points per game, making this a thrilling contest.

The historical head-to-head between these programs is less of a statistic and more of a history lesson. Arizona and Iowa State last met on the football field in 1968. So, this game has been more than half a century in the making. But, during their seldom meetings, Arizona has had the edge with a 4-1-1 series record and a two-game win streak over the Cyclones. Now, with a decade having passed, this matchup is all the more special for the teams and their fans.

Tonight’s ESPN broadcast will be championed by Dave Flemming on the play-by-play front, with Brock Osweiler as an analyst, and will feature Stormy Buonantony as the sideline reporter bringing the action to the screen. Flemming is a deeply respected name throughout the sports landscape and has called everything from MLB to golf. Osweiler is an NFL veteran and a former Arizona State quarterback. He’ll be providing the player-centric analysis and game strategy breakdowns. 

There is a lot of stuff to watch out for in this game. Xavier Townsend’s continuous improvement could be of huge help for Iowa State’s offense. He had a breakout game against Arkansas State, where he logged 92 yards on three catches. His chemistry with the QB should only improve from this point on. On the other side, Arizona QB Noah Fifita is the one to watch out for. He has had a clean slate through Arizona’s three wins and has had 712 passing yards with six touchdowns, carrying the offense on his back.

History, unbeaten streaks, brilliant playmaking, and the fight for the Big 12 championship, everything clashes in this game, making it a must-watch for anyone. And all of that will be covered by experienced announcers who will be supporting every play with unique insights and context.

Matt Campbell’s updates 

The atmosphere at Jack Trice Stadium is set to be electric when Iowa State hosts Arizona Wildcast in a “whiteout” game. Iowa State comes into the matchup with a win over Iowa and wants to maintain its perfect record streak, and Matt Campbell is all in for it.

In his latest update, Campbell delivered some good news that boosts Iowa State’s chances against the Arizona Wildcats. Some key contributors, like linebacker Carson Willich, tight end Gabe Burkle, and defensive back Jontez Williams, are healthy and available for the game. Willich’s return is especially significant since he impressed in the season opener before being sidelined, while Burkle and Williams have also become reliable weapons in their units. The only setback for Iowa State comes on special teams, as veteran kicker Kyle Konrardy is ruled out for the game due to a leg strain. But Campbell told fans not to worry, as freshman Chase Smith, who has had some action this season, will be covering Konrardy’s role.