Arizona vs. BYU odds, picks, predictions: Betting preview, start time for Week 2 college football matchup — SkimNews
Get the Sports newsletter
Daily sports — scores, transfers, the storylines from the leagues you actually follow. Free.
- No. 15 BYU Cougars host Arizona on Saturday, Sept. 12 in Provo, a Big 12 Week 2 rematch of last year's 33-27 double-overtime Cougars win in Tucson
- Arizona Wildcats QB Noah Fifita threw for 262 yards and two touchdowns in a Week 1 win over Northern Arizona (35-7), building on a 2025 campaign of 29 touchdowns to six interceptions
- BYU QB Bear Bachmeier tossed three touchdowns in a 63-7 Week 1 rout of Utah Tech, but threw two interceptions against Arizona a year ago
- BYU running back LJ Martin logged 162 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries in last year's meeting, part of a 1,305-yard, 12-touchdown 2025 season that BYU will lean on to ease pressure on Bachmeier
- Arizona's defense ranked 19th in yards allowed and 21st in points allowed last season — a factor the source flags as the obstacle that could keep the Wildcats within striking distance despite BYU's favorite status
- The SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates every FBS game 10,000 times and is on a 33-20 run on top-rated CFB money-line picks since 2024, leans BYU against the spread and on the money line
- The pick: Over 48.5 points, which hits in 54.2% of the model's simulations, with the bettor backing both quarterbacks to trade scoring punches for four quarters
Why it matters: Arizona brings back a quarterback (Fifita) who threw 29 TDs against just 6 INTs last year and a defense that ranked in the FBS top 25 in yards and points allowed — enough returning production that the model gives BYU only a modest edge despite the Cougars' favorite label and home field. For bettors, the 54.2% Over simulation rate and the double-overtime history between these teams argue that the total, not the spread, is the sharper play.
Ask SkimNews
