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Arizona Wildcats vs Houston Cougars Betting Preview
The Arizona Wildcats will visit the Houston Cougars on Saturday in a key Big 12 matchup at TDECU Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM ET, and the game will be televised nationally on ESPN2.
Houston is 5-1 overall and coming off a convincing 39-17 win over Oklahoma State, while Arizona (4-2) is aiming to recover from a heartbreaking 33-27 double-overtime loss to BYU. Both teams remain in the middle of the Big 12 standings, making this a pivotal Week 8 showdown.
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Wildcats Seek to Bounce Back
Arizona’s home loss to BYU was emotionally draining, but head coach Brent Brennan insists his team is ready to move forward. “We were devastated, and we still are,” Brennan said. “But we’re not looking backward — we’re going to work.”
The Wildcats’ defense has been their backbone this season. They rank third in the Big 12 in total defense, allowing just 275.7 yards per game. The unit has already picked off nine passes — one more than their entire 2024 total. Linebackers Jacob Manu and Sterling Lane anchor a physical front that thrives on pressure.
Quarterback Noah Fifita continues to climb the Arizona record books. With 59 career touchdown passes, he ranks third in program history. Against BYU, he passed for 284 yards and three touchdowns while also converting four fourth-down plays, showing Brennan’s trademark aggression.
“We’re going to stay aggressive,” the coach said. “We converted on 4-of-6 fourth downs last week. That’s who we are — we play to win.”
Arizona’s balanced approach has helped them average 31.5 points per game, but turnovers and short-yardage mistakes proved costly in their two losses.
For updated performance data and stats, visit the college football odds section.
Cougars Confident on Homecoming Week
Houston has regained momentum after a midseason stumble. The Cougars’ 39-17 win at Oklahoma State last week showed resilience and execution on both sides of the ball.
Quarterback Conner Weigman was outstanding, completing 21 of 29 passes for 306 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 45 yards, leading an offense that piled up 473 total yards. “It’s great when your quarterback plays with that kind of confidence,” head coach Willie Fritz said. “He set the tone for everyone else.”
Weigman has thrown for over 200 yards per game and remains a dual threat with five rushing touchdowns — the most on the team. His poise and mobility will be key against Arizona’s unpredictable front.
Special teams have also been a strength for Houston. Kicker Ethan Sanchez, who went 4-for-4 on field goals last week, earned Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week honors for the second time this year. He’s the only kicker in FBS to make four or more field goals in multiple games this season.
Defensively, Houston still gives up 340 yards per game but has improved on third downs and red-zone containment. They’ll need to maintain that focus against a Wildcats team that thrives on fourth-down conversions and quick passing.
For more insight and analysis, check the college football expert betting guide.
Line Movement and Odds
According to the latest college football picks and odds, Houston opened as a slight favorite at home (-3.5), with the total set around 58.5 points. Early betting has leaned toward the over due to both teams’ offensive efficiency and recent high-scoring trends in Big 12 play.
Arizona has struggled on the road (1-1 away from home), while Houston is 3-0 at TDECU Stadium this season.
Matchup Breakdown
Arizona Wildcats Outlook
Arizona’s success depends on how well it can handle the Cougars’ tempo. Fifita’s accuracy and the Wildcats’ aggressive play-calling could put pressure on Houston’s secondary. Expect Brennan to continue taking chances on fourth down, as Arizona’s offense converts 64% of its short-yardage opportunities.
Running backs Rayshon Luke and Jonah Coleman have combined for over 700 rushing yards, giving Arizona enough balance to keep defenses honest.
Defensively, the Wildcats’ versatility is their biggest asset. They shift frequently between 3-3-5 and 4-2-5 looks to confuse opposing quarterbacks. That variety could limit Weigman’s rhythm early.
Houston Cougars Outlook
Houston’s identity begins with Weigman and the offensive line. When protected, the Cougars’ quarterback spreads the ball efficiently to wideouts Samuel Brown and Joseph Manjack IV, who’ve combined for seven touchdowns this year.
The Cougars also use running back Parker Jenkins as a receiving threat, creating matchup problems for linebackers.
Defensively, Houston’s biggest concern remains tackling consistency in open space. The Cougars allow 5.3 yards per play, a stat Arizona’s short passing game could exploit.
Key Edge
Momentum favors Houston, but Arizona’s defensive discipline and aggressiveness give them a real chance to upset the Cougars on the road. This matchup likely comes down to turnovers and red-zone execution — both areas where Houston has been sharper in recent weeks.
Betting Trends
Houston is 5-1 straight-up in its last six games and 4-0 at home dating back to last season. The Cougars have also hit the over in six of their last eight contests.
Arizona is 4-2 against the spread in its last six games but has gone under in four of those matchups. The Wildcats are 6-2 ATS in their last eight conference games overall.
Best Bets and Prediction
Both teams feature strong quarterback play and opportunistic defenses. Houston’s confidence and home-field advantage may be the difference, but expect a tight, physical game with multiple lead changes.
Projected Score: Houston 34, Arizona 28
Best Bet: Houston -3.5
Secondary Lean: Over 58.5
For more CFB previews, trends, and projections, visit ScoresAndStats College Football.
