Arizona
Wildcats
1-0
Spread
+7.5
NCAAF Predictions
Arizona Wildcats vs BYU Cougars Predictions
Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 3:30pm EST at LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, UT
@
BYU
Cougars
1-0
Spread
-7.5
50%
50%
Spread
Arizona Wildcats +7.5
BYU Cougars -7.5
Moneyline
Arizona Wildcats +245
BYU Cougars -305
Total
Over 47.5 (-112)
Under 47.5 (-108)
Professional Picks
3 listed
Professional Picks On This Game
BYU vs. Arizona Prediction: Backfield Injuries Give Pause at -7.5
Analysis updated September 12, 2026 at 5:30 AM CDT
Arizona has cleared Ismail Mahdi to play, while BYU faces injuries at running back and tight end. The impact on Saturday’s margin remains unclear.
Availability matters, but roles remain unclear
BYU’s offensive injuries deserve attention before laying SPF’s 7.5 points against Arizona. FOX Sports reports torn MCL and PCL injuries for running back Sione Moa and lists tight end Jacob Nye as out. The same outlet, citing ESPN’s Pete Thamel, reports that Arizona running back Ismail Mahdi is cleared to play. Those updates affect the available personnel, but they don’t establish workloads or how much production BYU must replace.
FOX Sports lists Noah Fifita and Bear Bachmeier as the starting quarterbacks. Fifita threw for 279 yards and two touchdowns in Arizona’s 35-7 opening win over Northern Arizona; Bachmeier recorded 198 yards and three touchdowns in BYU’s 63-7 win over Utah Tech. Neither threw an interception. Those performances came against different opponents and don’t establish an Arizona passing advantage in this matchup.
Betting decision
BYU is the low-confidence winner pick at home, but that doesn’t make its -305 moneyline worthwhile. Arizona’s +245 moneyline and +7.5 spread also lack a demonstrated edge. Pass.
SPF’s total is 47.5, with over -112 and under -108. One opening game per team offers too little evidence about scoring pace or defensive performance to support a totals wager.
Pick
BYU Cougars
Confidence
low
Betting lean
Pass