Arizona vs. BYU: Prediction, Preview, Betting Odds
Week 7 of the college football season is here. Arizona plays BYU, and Heartland College Sports has your game prediction, preview, and betting odds ahead of the matchup.
GAME INFO
Saturday, Oct. 12; 3 p.m. (CT); LaVell Edwards Stadium; Provo, Utah
TV: FOX
Records: Arizona Football: 3-2 (1-1 Big 12); BYU Football: 5-0 (2-0 Big 12)
Last Week: Arizona lost to Texas Tech, 28-22; BYU was idle.
Series History: Series tied, 12-12-1
Last Meeting: BYU def Arizona, 24-16 (2021).
Fun Fact: Like Texas Tech a week ago, Arizona used to be in the same conference with BYU. But it wasn’t the Border Conference. The Wildcats and Cougars were mates in the Western Athletic Conference from 1962-77 before Arizona moved to what was then the Pac-8.
Arizona vs. BYU Betting Lines and Odds
Opening Line: BYU (-3.5)
Over/Under: 50
Key Players
Arizona Wildcats
WR Tetaiora McMillan
He’s been labeled by some as an “athletic freak,” and most NFL insiders consider him to be a Top 10 pick in next April’s draft, assuming he leaves school. He’s not undefendable, but he’s close. Last week he caught eight passes for 161 yards against Texas Tech. He has 37 receptions for 664 yards and four touchdowns. But all of his scores came in that enormous outburst against New Mexico to open the season. He’s been shut out since. The Wildcats need him in the end zone.
PK Tyler Loop
Normally, this spot is for a defensive player. But we’re going to cheat because Loop is a flat-out weapon. He kicked five field goals against Texas Tech and was named the Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week. One of those field goals was from nearly 50 yards, and he kicked it so high it went over the net behind the goalposts. In a close game, his range makes Arizona a dangerous team to deal with.
BYU Cougars
QB Jake Retzlaff
Whatever the expectations were for Retzlaff coming into the season, he’s, at minimum, met them. He’s completed 61.2% of his passes, has thrown for 1,208 yards, and has 12 touchdowns against five interceptions. He can get the ball moving with his legs. He has the weapons around him, so he doesn’t have to try to play hero ball. He’s a solid fit for BYU’s offense and tends to make good choices. Plus, his completion percentage rises to 68% at home.
LB Jack Kelly
If there’s one guy that Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita doesn’t want to see on Saturday, it’s Kelly, who leads the Cougars with three sacks this season. This isn’t a pass rush dominated by one player. BYU has ten sacks this season and those are spread among eight different players. Guess the one that has more than one? Yep, it’s Kelly. The Cougars have a sustainable pass rush, but they have one player who is a little more dangerous than the rest.
KEY STORYLINES
Arizona Wildcats
Two games into the conference, it’s clear that the Wildcats’ defense has figured some things out. After holding Utah to 10 points in the Big 12 opener, they limited Texas Tech to 28 points and fewer than 300 yards. That’ll play. But the Wildcats need more consistency from their offense. They racked up more than 400 yards against the Raiders but only scored one touchdown, which was on the ground. Head coach Brent Brennan alluded to the fact that he’s not sure his whole offense is moving in the “same direction.” That’s not good when you’re at the halfway point of the season.
BYU Cougars
The Cougars had two priorities last offseason — get better on the offensive and defensive lines and develop Retzlaff. BYU has accomplished both. The Cougars come out of the bye week in good shape but also in need of some balance in their offense. Retzlaff is their leading rusher. The Cougars have some quality backs to work with and need some of them to be more productive. There could be good news. Running backs LJ Martin and Hinckley Ropati could be in line to return this week from injuries. The bye week came at the perfect time for the pair, who have missed multiple games.
PREDICTION: BYU 27, Arizona 24
BYU will be put to the test. Arizona looked better at Utah than it did at home against Texas Tech, but the Cougars prevail and remain undefeated in Big 12 action.
