| MATCHUP | Arizona Wildcats | Houston Cougars |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 4-3 | 6-1 |
| Where | TDECU Stadium, Houston, TX | |
| When | Saturday, October 18, 2025 | |
| Time | 12:00 PM EDT | |
| TV | FS1 | |
The Arizona Wildcats and the Houston Cougars meet in week 8 college football action from TDECU Stadium on Saturday. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an Arizona Wildcats vs. Houston Cougars prediction.
Arizona Wildcats Recap
The Arizona Wildcats come into this game looking to bounce back from their 33-27 loss at the hands of BYU in their last game to sit at 4-2 this season. After this game, Arizona will have a bye week before a road game against Colorado.
Wildcats Alternate Wins & Losses In 4 Straight
Noah Fifita has thrown for 1,560 yards, 15 touchdowns and 4 interceptions so far this season while Ismail Mahdi has a team-high 403 rushing yards and a touchdown so far this season. Quincy Craig also has 207 rushing yards while Javin Whatley has a team-high 25 catches for 328 yards and 3 touchdowns to lead Arizona in receiving. Kris Hutson has 20 catches for 262 receiving yards and 2 TDs while Chris Hunter has 17 grabs for 239 yards and 2 TDs and Luke Wysong has 220 receiving yards so far this season. On defense, Dalton Johnson has a team-high 41 total tackles including 21 solo tackles while Riley Wilson has a team-high 3 sacks so far this year. As a unit, the Arizona defense as a whole has combined for 14 sacks and 9 interceptions so far this season.
Houston Cougars Recap
The Houston Cougars come into this game looking to build on a 39-17 win over Oklahoma State last time out to improve to 5-1 so far this season. After this game, Houston will head on the road for a game against Arizona State.
Cougars Looking To Clinch Bowl Eligibility
Connor Weigman has thrown for 1,216 yards, 8 touchdowns and 2 interceptions on 61.5% passing while Dean Connors has rushed for 438 yards and 4 TDs on the ground this season. Weigman and Stacy Sneed each have 100+ rushing yards as well with Weigman adding 5 rushing TDs. Amare Thomas leads the Cougars with 441 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns while Stephon Johnson has 275 receiving yards and 2 TDs and Tanner Koziol has 310 receiving yards and a pair of scores as well this season. On defense, Jalen Garner has a team-high 42 total tackles while Corey Platt Jr. has a team-high 2.5 sacks. As a unit, Houston’s defense has combined for 13 sacks and 6 interceptions so far this season.
Arizona Wildcats @ Houston Cougars Betting Trends: Week 8
Why the Houston Cougars will win
- Houston has won 12 of its last 13 October home games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Arizona has lost seven of its last eight road games in October.
- Arizona has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four road games.
- The home team has covered the spread in five of Arizona’s last six games.
- Arizona has lost the first half in each of its last four road games against conference opponents.
Why the Arizona Wildcats will win
- The favorite has won each of Houston’s last nine games.
- The favorite has covered the spread in nine of Arizona’s last 10 games.
- Houston has failed to cover the spread in three of its last four games as an underdog.
- Arizona has won the first half in three of its last four games against conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Houston’s last six games as an underdog in Texas have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Seven of Arizona’s last eight games as a favorite have gone UNDER the total points line.
Houston Cougars Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 8, Ethan Sanchez ranks T2nd amongst FBS players for made field goals (14) this season.
Arizona Wildcats Player Prop Facts
- Noah Fifita has recorded 25+ completions in three consecutive games – equal-longest streak in the FBS, heading into Week 8.
Matchup/League Facts
- Houston ranks T3rd among FBS teams for Q3 opponent points per game this season (1.0).
- Houston ranks T8th among FBS teams for 4th down conversion percentage against this season (27.3).
- Arizona ranks T6th among FBS teams for interceptions this season (9).
- Arizona ranks T9th among FBS teams for Q2 opponent points per game this season (3.3).
Arizona Wildcats vs. Houston Cougars Prediction
I’m leaning towards Arizona here. I just think that Houston is slightly overrated and are not the best 5-1 team I’ve seen in my years of watching football. I think this are two really solid defenses, but I trust Arizona to do more offensively than I do Houston in this one so give me Arizona on the road in this one.