Washington vs. Arizona Betting Preview: Odds & Picks for Friday’s Pac-12 Game (October 22)
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images. Pictured: An Arizona Wildcats football player walks out of the tunnel.
Washington vs. Arizona Odds
| Washington Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-17.5 -105 | 45.5 -110o / -110u | -900 |
| Arizona Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+17.5 -115 | 45.5 -110o / -110u | +600 |
Pac 12 After Dark on a Friday night? Yes please.
The conference of champions will give us a matchup that only a bettor could get excited for: winless Arizona hosting 2-4 Washington.
The Wildcats aren't just winless this year; they've lost 18 straight overall. That losing streak actually started back in 2019 against these same Huskies. Arizona went into that game boasting a 4-1 record, but it's been all downhill since.
Washington Huskies
Washington Offense
Washington has started 2-4 on the season, including a home loss to FCS Montana. This is primarily due to a lackluster offense that just can't seem to find its footing.
The Huskies dealt with some injuries at wide receiver earlier in the season and then lost stud tight end Cade Otton for a few games due to COVID-19 protocols.
However, not much changed with all of them back in the mix last week against a suspect UCLA secondary.
The running game has also stalled out so far this season, but the primary culprit of the offense's woes has been quarterback Dylan Morris, who has an equal amount of touchdowns and interceptions (eight) on the season with a sub-seven yards per attempt average.
I'm not sure why head coach Jimmy Lake hasn't made a change yet. Even if he doesn't want to burn the redshirt of five-star Sam Huard, Washington did bring in transfer Patrick O'Brien, who started games at Colorado State.
Washington Defense
Defensively, Washington has been fine but definitely not up to the standards of a typical Huskies defense.
You still can't throw on the Huskies, who have one of the best cornerback duos in the country, led by future pro Trent McDuffie.
Speaking of future pros, Washington received some recent good news with the return of outside linebacker Zion Tupuola-Fetui, who will likely get drafted in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft.
He was expected to miss the entire season after tearing his Achilles six months ago but returned last week against UCLA and had seven pressures in 10 snaps.
Expect a much more generous snap count this week for the menace off of the edge who makes this defense much more formidable.
Arizona Wildcats
Arizona Offense
It's not pretty in Tucson, as new head coach Jedd Fisch has a complete rebuild on his hands.
Like Washington, Arizona also lost to an FCS school at home when it fell, 21-19, to Northern Arizona. That was the last game Will Plummer started before giving way to promising freshman Jordan McCloud.
Well, McCloud was lost for the year to injury one week before Gunner Cruz went down for the season. That leaves Plummer and walk-ons playing behind an atrocious line and an offense that just lacks talent overall.
Arizona Defense
As for the defense, it's not much better. It allows 32 points per game, tied for 25th in the country.
Washington vs. Arizona Matchup Analysis
Toggle the dropdowns below to hide or show how Washington and Arizona match up statistically:
Washington Offense vs. Arizona Defense
 | Offense | Defense |  Edge |
| Rush Success | 74 | 44 | |
| Line Yards | 78 | 64 | |
| Pass Success | 79 | 38 | |
| Pass Blocking** | 98 | 120 | |
| Big Play | 87 | 66 | |
| Havoc | 75 | 61 | |
| Finishing Drives | 64 | 97 | |
| ** Pass Blocking (Off.) vs. Pass Rush (Def.) | |||
Arizona Offense vs. Washington Defense
| Offense | Defense | Edge |
| Rush Success | 106 | 102 |  |
| Line Yards | 102 | 117 | |
| Pass Success | 129 | 10 | |
| Pass Blocking** | 67 | 69 | |
| Big Play | 118 | 24 | |
| Havoc | 121 | 109 | |
| Finishing Drives | 127 | 64 | |
| ** Pass Blocking (Off.) vs. Pass Rush (Def.) | |||
Pace of Play / Other
| | |
| PFF Tackling | 47 | 80 |
| Coverage | 6 | 123 |
| Middle 8 | 59 | 117 |
| SP+ Special Teams | 103 | 101 |
| Plays per Minute | 65 | 18 |
| Rush Rate | 47.4% (111) | 46.6% (114) |
Washington vs. Arizona Betting Pick
From an adjusted EPA per play perspective, Arizona has the worst offense in the country when you account for opponent and home-field advantage.
The Wildcats are just below a Rice team that seems to get shut out on a weekly basis. Now, they're down to their third quarterback on the depth chart after losing two to injury in the past two weeks.
I'll make the Wildcats prove they can score more than two touchdowns against an extremely talented Washington defense that won't give up explosive plays, nor make it easy for Arizona to finish off drives in the red zone.
Arizona shouldn't get anything through the air. I wouldn't be shocked if Arizona gets shut out for a second straight week, assuming Washington shows up for this one.
Pick: Arizona Team Total Under 14
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