Houston vs Arizona: Friday Night College Football Showdown Preview and Predictions

The Houston Cougars and the Arizona Wildcats are set to clash in a crucial Big 12 matchup on Friday night, with both teams desperate to keep their bowl hopes alive. The game, scheduled for 10:15 p.m. ET at Arizona Stadium, will be broadcast on FS1.

Arizona, currently 3-6 and 1-5 in the Big 12, is looking for its first home win in the conference. The Wildcats have lost five consecutive conference games, including a 56-12 defeat at Central Florida in Week 10. Despite their struggles, Arizona is favored by 1.5 to 2 points, depending on the sportsbook.

Houston, with a record of 4-5 and 3-3 in the Big 12, has won three of its last four games, including an impressive 24-19 victory over No. 17 Kansas State. The Cougars are led by quarterback Zeon Chriss, who has been a dual-threat force since becoming the starter. Chriss’s performance, combined with Houston’s strong defense, which ranks 23rd nationally in yards allowed, makes the Cougars a formidable opponent.

The defensive matchup is key, as Arizona’s defense has been plagued by injuries and has allowed significant yardage both on the ground and through the air. Houston’s defense, on the other hand, has been its strong suit, holding four of its last five opponents to 20 or fewer points.

Predictions vary, but many analysts favor Houston to cover the spread or even win outright. The over/under for the game is set at 46.5 to 47 points, with some predicting a higher-scoring affair due to the potential for both teams to exploit each other’s weaknesses.

The betting splits are nearly even, with 52% of wagers backing the Cougars as underdogs. This close betting action reflects the unpredictability of both teams this season.