Arizona Wildcats vs Houston Cougars Prediction, Odds and Picks for Today, 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 and are better than expected. 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 is relatively untested with a soft scheduled compared to its peers. Its only tough opponent was Texas Tech, who beat the Cougars handily 35-11 and should have probably won by 40+ if it weren’t for multiple stall-outs and field goals rather than touchdowns. The Wildcats, on the other hand, battled BYU before losing in overtime last week, and they 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, but he will be opposed by an Arizona defense ranked in the top 10 in passing yards allowed. That stat is a bit surprising; 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 Wildcats -1 (-110) available at the time of publishing. Playable at that number.

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