Houston vs Arizona Prediction, Pick & Odds for Friday Night Football (Nov. 15)

• We’ve made our Houston vs Arizona prediction for Friday night
• The latest Friday night CFB odds favor the Wildcats by 1.5 points
• Read below for Houston vs Arizona prediction, pick and odds

The Houston Cougars (4-5, 3-3 Big 12) head to Tucson to take on the Arizona Wildcats (3-6, 1-5 Big 12) in a Friday night college football showdown. Kickoff is set for 10:15 p.m. ET at Arizona Stadium, with the game broadcast on FS1.

The Wildcats come in as narrow 1.5-point home favorites. Both teams desperately need a win to keep their bowl hopes alive. Can the Wildcats end their losing streak on home turf against the Cougars?

Here is a look at Houston vs Arizona prediction, along with Friday night CFB odds.

Houston vs Arizona Odds

Odds as of Nov. 15, at FanDuel Sportsbook. Check out FanDuel Sportsbook reviews or browse other top sports betting sites.

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The oddsmakers see this as a close one. Arizona’s -120 moneyline implies a 54.5% chance of winning outright, while Houston sits at +100. Despite their recent struggles, the Wildcats remain slight favorites at home.

Houston has won three of their last four, including an impressive upset over No. 17 Kansas State. Meanwhile, Arizona has dropped five straight. The total of 46.5 points suggests a lower-scoring battle between inconsistent offenses.

Cougars Betting Analysis

After stumbling to a 1-4 start, Houston has found their footing, winning three of their last four games under first-year head coach Willie Fritz. The Cougars are coming off a huge 24-19 upset victory over ranked Kansas State, where they rallied from a 19-10 fourth-quarter deficit.

Dual-threat quarterback Zeon Chriss has provided a spark since taking over as the starter, completing 69.1% of his passes and rushing for 294 yards. The Cougars’ ground game, led by Re’Shaun Sanford II (300 yards) and Stacy Sneed (277 yards), will be key against an Arizona defense allowing 169.4 rushing yards per game.

Week 🔟 #Big12FB Co-Newcomer of the Week presented by @totinos

Zeon Chriss | @UHCougarFB pic.twitter.com/csLVoZXd6r

— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) November 4, 2024

The defense has been Houston’s calling card. They rank 23rd nationally in yards allowed and have kept four of their last five opponents under 21 points. Their success against Arizona’s passing game could decide this one.

Houston’s path to victory involves controlling the clock with their running game, limiting turnovers, and relying on their elite defense to frustrate the Wildcats’ passing attack. The Cougars are 3-0 this season when rushing for over 200 yards.

Wildcats Betting Analysis

Things aren’t looking great in the desert. Arizona’s once-promising season has taken a turn for the worse, with the Wildcats losing five straight games and falling to 3-6 overall. They are coming off a bye week following a 56-12 thrashing at the hands of UCF, where they managed just 261 total yards and five rushing yards.

The Wildcats’ offense revolves around the pass-catch duo of quarterback Noah Fifita (2,324 yards, 13 TDs) and receiver Tetairoa McMillan (1,066 yards, 6 TDs). However, Fifita has struggled with consistency, throwing 10 interceptions, and the running game has been ineffective, averaging just 115 yards per game.

Noah Fifita and Dalton Johnson, on Arizona’s 5-game skid:

“The whole world is against us now, so we’re really just playing for the people in the locker room and trusting God’s timing.” — NF

“Our part as leaders is making sure this team stays together no matter what.” — DJ pic.twitter.com/tsgdDg4C85

— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) November 3, 2024

Arizona’s defense has been a major issue, allowing 31.1 points and 393 total yards per game. They rank 95th in rushing defense (169.4 yards allowed per game) and 102nd in third-down conversion percentage (44.3%), which could spell trouble against Houston’s ground-oriented attack.

To cover the spread and secure a much-needed home victory, the Wildcats need to establish a balanced offense, protect Fifita, and force turnovers on defense. They are 12th nationally in red zone scoring percentage (93.7%) and will need to capitalize on their scoring opportunities against a stingy Houston defense.

Houston vs Arizona Prediction

I’m rolling with Houston here. Their momentum and strong defense give them a clear edge as underdogs. The Cougars have covered five times this year, while Arizona has managed just one cover in nine tries.

The Wildcats’ losing streak, leaky defense, and one-dimensional offense make them tough to back as favorites. Houston’s ability to control the clock with their running game and limit Arizona’s passing attack should allow them to cover the 1.5-point spread and potentially win outright.

However, the over/under of 46.5 points is simply too low given both teams’ offensive potential. Houston has averaged 21.3 points per game in their last four contests, while Arizona has scored 20 or more points in seven of their nine games.

The Wildcats’ defensive struggles and the Cougars’ improved offense should lead to a higher-scoring affair than the bookies are projecting. The “over” of 46.5 is my best bet for this Friday Night CFB clash.

Friday Night CFB Prediction:

• Over 46.5 points (-110)
• Houston +1.5 (-110)