Arizona steps out of Big 12 play in Week 4 for a matchup that will look awfully familiar to longtime Pac-12 fans.
The Wildcats head to Pullman to take on former conference rival Washington State, with Arizona looking for its first road win of the 2026 season. Brent Brennan’s team enters at 2-1 after bouncing back from its loss at BYU with a 42-17 win over Northern Illinois last weekend.
Noah Fifita threw for 325 yards in the victory and became Arizona’s all-time leader in career passing yards, passing Nick Foles in the process. Now the Wildcats will need that offense to travel against a Washington State team that finally found some momentum of its own in Week 3.
The Cougars opened the season with back-to-back road losses against Washington and Kansas State before returning home and blowing out Duquesne 48-7 last weekend.
Saturday also brings Arizona back to the site of one of Fifita’s earliest breakout performances. The last time the Wildcats visited Pullman, Fifita helped Arizona dismantle Washington State 44-6 in 2023 for his first victory as the team’s starting quarterback.
Three years later, the conferences have changed and both programs look much different. But Arizona would gladly take a similar result as it tries to build some momentum before returning to Big 12 play.
Arizona vs. Washington State Odds
- Spread: Arizona -10.5
- Over/Under: 48.5
- Moneyline: Arizona -450/Washington State +340
Odds as of Tuesday afternoon. Odds are subject to change.
The Biggest Question: Can Arizona Avoid the Slow Start?
Arizona got off to a bit of a sluggish start last week vs. Northern Illinois. Maybe it was a combination of a BYU hangover, knowing they were taking on a weaker opponent in NIU and a late start. But the Wildcats were down 10-0 in this game in the first quarter, before storming back and scoring 42-straight points on their way to a 42-17 win. The Wildcats have an elite passing game under Noah Fifita, but for what it’s worth, this WSU defense did pick off Avery Johnson twice on the road in Week 2. It was another facet of the game where K-State did some serious damage.
Arizona vs. Washington State Prediction and Pick
Prediction: Arizona 27, Washington State 13
That leads me to the running game. Kansas State piled up 295 rushing yards vs. Washington State in Week 2. However, that’s just not Arizona’s game. They are dead last in the Big 12 Conference in rushing yards per game, at barely 120, 40 yards behind Baylor at No. 15. Arizona is going to spread it around and get the ball down the field. And while Washington State’s pass defense has been pretty solid thus far, they haven’t seen a passing attack like the Wildcats. And considering WSU is second-to-last in interceptions, last in fumbles forced and dead last in sacks, they aren’t doing the things, yet, they’ll need to do to force turnovers and slow down the Wildcats offense. Arizona needs to avoid the slow start, and if they do and don’t get on their heels, their underrated defense will keep a mediocre Washington State offense in check, while landing the double-digit win they need to win and cover.
Arizona wins. Arizona covers.
