Pac-12 strength test: Arizona vs Notre Dame on a neutral field — Who wins?

This would be a hard matchup to call. Things are changing in Tucson.

Seeing Arizona become better, tougher and stronger has been a notable plot twist in recent weeks. We wanted to get creative with the questions we are sending to our Pac-12 football panel. We asked this question: Arizona and Noah Fifita versus Notre Dame on a neutral field. Who wins?

Matt Zemek: Arizona. Notre Dame played great defense against USC, but its offense remains below-average and Caleb Williams was uniquely awful. Noah Fifita doesn’t make many mistakes. If he avoids mistakes against Notre Dame, how are the Irish going to score enough points to win? Fifita is the real deal, and the U of A’s 38-point win in Pullman is something Notre Dame couldn’t dream of doing.

Key added note: When I say “neutral field,” I mean a place where Notre Dame fans won’t dominate the crowd. Chicago would not be a neutral site, for instance. Let’s say Denver or Arlington.

Zachary Neel: Imagine pitching this matchup a month ago? What a world. Give me Notre Dame. They know how to play under a spotlight.

Matt Wadleigh: Give me Notre Dame, and it’s not even a question.

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