BYU and Arizona will face off in Big 12 play on Saturday night in Tucson. BYU is undefeated for the season at 5-0 and they are ranked 18th in the country entering this contest. But the Cougars are only slight favorites against the 4-1 Wildcats. Here, I break down this big game in the Big 12 and give you my BYU vs Arizona prediction.
Our BYU vs Arizona Pick
- Pick: Arizona Moneyline
- Confidence: ★★★★☆
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: BYU Cougars vs Arizona Wildcats
- Date & Time: Saturday, October 11, 2025, 8:00 PM EDT
- Venue: Arizona Stadium, Tucson, AZ
- Broadcast: ESPN2
BYU vs Arizona Odds
| Betting Market | Odds |
|---|---|
| Spread | BYU -2.5 |
| Moneyline | BYU -140 / Arizona +120 |
| Total Points | 46.5 |
Key Storylines
- BYU’s Undefeated Streak: The Cougars are aiming to extend their perfect season. They have a 5-0 record and a strong offense, averaging 451.8 yards per game. That includes 234 rushing yards per game. They will try to remain unpredictable on offense to get the better of Arizona here.
- Arizona’s Defensive Prowess: Arizona has a tough defense, allowing only 15.6 points per game and ranking third nationally in passer rating allowed. However, they will need to adjust to the absence of senior edge rusher Tre Smith, who is out for the season following surgery.
- Quarterback Battle: BYU’s freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier has been efficient, while Arizona’s Noah Fifita has been a dual-threat, ranking fourth in the Big 12 in passing touchdowns going into this huge Big 12 matchup.
Quarterback Play
BYU’s Bear Bachmeier has 1,048 passing yards this season with seven touchdowns and just one interception. Arizona’s Noah Fifita is also off to a good start this season with 13 touchdown passes and three interceptions. His ability to make plays both in the air and on the ground makes him a threat to even the best defense. The absence of BYU’s star linebacker Jack Kelly could provide Fifita with more opportunities to exploit the Cougars defense.
Betting Trends
- BYU: 5-0 straight up and 3-2 against the spread this season. They have gone under the total in three of their first five games.
- Arizona: Arizona is 4-1 straight up and against the spread for the season. Four of their five games have gone under their totals.
BYU vs Arizona Model Projection
- Score Projection: Arizona 24 – BYU 23
- Win Probability: Arizona 55%, BYU 45%
Final Thoughts
This game will be an interesting battle, as Arizona’s defense will look to slow down the explosive offense of BYU. I think this will be a tight game throughout, but that Arizona’s defense will eventually win the day on their home turf. I’ll take Arizona as a moneyline underdog in what should be a very entertaining contest from Tucson.
