The Arizona Wildcats take on the Houston Cougars in Houston, Texas. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1.
Arizona is favored by -1 points on the spread with a moneyline of -115. The total is set at 46 points.
Here’s my Arizona vs. Houston prediction and college football picks for Saturday, October 18, 2025.
Arizona vs Houston Prediction
- Arizona vs. Houston Pick: Arizona ML -115 (Play to -120)
My Houston vs. Arizona best bet is on the Wildcats to win outright. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Arizona vs Houston Odds
| Arizona Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1 -110 | 46 -110o / -110u | -115 |
| Houston Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1 -110 | 46 -110o / -110u | -105 |
- Arizona vs Houston point spread: Arizona -1
- Arizona vs Houston over/under: 46 points
- Arizona vs Houston moneyline: Arizona -115, Houston -105
Arizona vs Houston Preview
Arizona Wildcats Betting Preview: Fifita Set to Shine Again
The Wildcats come into this matchup off a double-overtime loss to BYU. The loss marked their second in two games against ranked opposition.
Now they're tasked with bouncing back on the road against a 5-1 Houston Cougars team.
While the task is tall, they should be up for it if quarterback Noah Fifita remains sharp. Fifita has been tremendous this season, as he's third in the country in completion percentage and 30th in yards per pass.
Throwing the ball effectively is the key to success against the Cougars, as Texas Tech was able to shred them for 35 points and 345 yards through the air. Arizona needs to complete passes on early downs, as it's struggled on third down and in the red zone.
If Fifita can get in an early groove, we should see the Wildcats' offense move down the field in chunks against an untested Houston defense.
Houston Cougars Betting Preview: Contained on Offense?
On the other side of the ball, Houston's offense has thrived and struggled with the performance of quarterback Conner Weigman. Weigman is a dual threat, but if the Cougars are going to move the ball, he'll need to be great through the air.
I say this because it's likely the Cougars' ground game will be contained. Houston runs the ball at the 35th-highest rate in the country, but it's going to face a superior Arizona defensive front that's 25th in yards per rush allowed and 17th in sack rate.
Through the air, Weigman ranks 97th in completion percentage and 34th in yards per pass. However, again, the Wildcats' pressure and ability to minimize big plays negate many avenues for success on offense.
Arizona vs Houston Pick, Betting Analysis
The Wildcats are the better side here, and the market has recognized that already. Arizona has shifted to a small favorite after opening as a road underdog.
The Wildcats' defense should travel well here, containing the ground game of Houston and taking away explosive plays through the air.
On offense, look for Arizona's passing attack to shine against an untested Houston secondary as the Wildcats take this one outright.
Pick: Arizona ML -115
