Arizona vs BYU Prediction, Picks, Odds, and Best Bet: Defenses Dictate This Big 12 Affair

The Wildcats and Cougars find themselves in a catfight for Week 7 action, and this won't exactly be a fireworks display.

Phil Naessens - Betting Analyst at Covers.com
Phil Naessens • Betting Analyst
Oct 11, 2024 • 11:01 ET • 4 min read

NCAAF

Match starts: 25 hrs
BYU
74 %
ARIZ
26 %
EXPERT PICK - TOTAL
u49.5 (-115)
Read Analysis
Tre Smith Arizona Wildcats NCAAF
Photo By - USA TODAY Sports

Get ready for a terrific Big 12 Conference battle between the Arizona Wildcats and the undefeated BYU Cougars on Saturday afternoon at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

The Cougars boast a terrific defense, and my Arizona vs BYU predictions expect a low-scoring affair. Read on as I explain why I like the Under in my free college football picks for Saturday, October 12.

Arizona vs BYU prediction and best bet

My best bet
Under 49.5 (-115 at at BetMGM)
Picks made at time of writing may not reflect live odds.

My analysis
If you're a fan of tight, low-scoring college football games, this tilt between the Arizona Wildcats and BYU Cougars will be right up your alley.

Arizona's Sophomore QB Noah Fifita has been a turnover machine: He threw two picks in last week’s loss to Texas Tech and six already this season.

The Cougars' stop unit is heralded for its takeaways (10), but that isn’t the only thing the BYU defense does well. It's held opposing quarterbacks to 186 passing yards per game and an equally impressive 122 rushing yards. 

The BYU defense must get stops because QB Jake Retzlaff is inconsistent. Retzlaff has thrown a dozen TD passes because of excellent field position, but he threw two of his five picks last week at Baylor. 

The Cougs' QB will have problems Saturday against an opportunistic Arizona defense sporting seven gained turnovers and four interceptions. The Wildcats' rushing defense ranks 80th nationally, but they get strips, which could cause additional trouble for Retzlaff & Co.

This is a crucial Big 12 clash for both teams, and the defenses will be better than the respective offenses. Both QBs have turnover issues, and these defenses are too good for that.

Arizona vs BYU same-game parlay (SGP)

Under 49.5

Arizona moneyline

I love the Under, but I don't love one Cougars' crazy trend during home day games.

I’m not a big trend guy, but BYU's 1-11 straight up record in their last 12 home games is hard to ignore. Arizona's 10-2 SU record across their last dozen ballgames is equally hard to ignore.

I have more confidence in Fafita and Arizona than in Retzlaff and BYU. ESPN and the GameDay crew may pump up the Cougars faithful, but that 1-11 mark in home-day games is too big a trend for me to buck.  

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

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Arizona vs BYU odds

Arizona vs BYU live odds

Arizona vs BYU opening odds

  • Arizona vs. BYU spread: BYU -3.5 (-110)
  • Arizona vs. BYU moneyline: Arizona +155, BYU -175
  • Arizona vs. BYU Over/Under: 55.5 (-110)

Odds courtesy of BetMGM

Arizona vs BYU spread and Over/Under analysis

  • Bettors have played tennis with the spread. We’ve seen numbers as low as 1.5 and as high as 5.0. At most sportsbooks, the spread has now gravitated back to its original 3.5 (-110). 
  • Since last season, Arizona has covered the Spread in seven of its previous 10 games and is 3-2-0 ATS in its five away tilts. 
  • Over/Under totals opening as high as 54.5 have dipped to as low as 48.5 at some of our best sportsbooks. 

Arizona vs BYU betting trend to know

The Arizona offense has been inconsistent, and the team is 4-1-0 to the Under in its last five games.. Find more college football betting trends for Arizona vs BYU.

Arizona vs BYU game info

Location: LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, UT
Date: Saturday, 10-12, 2024
Kickoff: 4:00 p.m. ET
TV: FOX

Arizona vs BYU latest injuries

Arizona vs BYU weather

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Phil Naessens
Betting Analyst

Prior to joining Covers in 2022, Phil Naessens spent 38 years as a resident tennis pro in Las Vegas, Mykonos, and Corfu Greece. He’s the past host of the Phil Naessens Show (Armed Forces Radio), and currently hosts the tennis betting podcast, This Week in Tennis.

Phil is the author of the Betting 101 series (MLB, NFL, NCAAF, and Tennis) and has written for numerous publications including SB Nation, FanSided and Lenny Melnick Fantasy Sports. Phil curates the Chip and Charge Tennis Newsletter and pens a weekly tennis column called “10 Things About the ATP Tour," for Passing Shot Productions. 

His favorite sports to bet on are tennis, MLB, WNBA, Euro men’s and women’s hoops, NCAA sports, NFL, and the NBA. Phil has numerous betting accounts in the US and Europe and his best advice is to line shop for the best value possible.

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