Arizona Wildcats vs Houston Cougars Prediction, Odds and Picks for Saturday, 10/18/25

The early game in the Big 12 features the Arizona Wildcats at the Houston Cougars. This is an 11:00 am local kickoff, but even earlier for the visiting Wildcats. This is also a matchup between two teams that were projected near the bottom of the conference standings but who are better than expected. As with almost the entire Big 12, these teams are good, even if flawed, and this matchup should be fun. Houston is a defense-first team, while Arizona is an up-tempo offense, and that battle should be intriguing. Personally, I think Arizona is better than expected and the better team in this game, so I will cast my lot with the Wildcats, even in an early road kickoff. Give me Arizona -1.

Houston, to me, is untested and has had a soft schedule. Their only tough opponent was Texas Tech, who beat them handily, 35-11, and should have probably won by 40+, except they kept stalling out and kicking FGs. The Wildcats, on the other hand, battled BYU before losing in overtime last week, and they do look like a team that could break through soon. With a veteran QB and a fast-paced offense that suits him, Arizona will test the Houston defense. The Cougars have a good QB of their own in Conner Weigman (A&M transfer), but he is also facing an Arizona defense ranked in the top 10 in passing yards allowed. That stat is a bit surprising, and they probably aren’t quite that good, but Houston is not a great offense, so I expect Arizona to have the advantage on that side of the ball. Going on the road for an early start gives me pause, but I do think Arizona is the better team here.

Arizona vs Houston Prediction: Arizona -1 (-110) available at the time of publishing. Playable at that number.