Arizona vs Cincinnati Prediction Football Picks Today 10/3/26

In this article we will formulate an Arizona vs Cincinnati prediction for this College Football game on Saturday, October 3rd at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, Arizona. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this Week 5 matchup. 

Arizona Wildcats Betting Preview

The Arizona Wildcats are 3-1 (0-1) this season after they defeated Washington State by a score of 34-24 last week. Arizona trailed 17-14 at halftime, but they scored 20 points in the second half to get the win. The Wildcats out gained Washington State by a total of 447-335, went 7-15 on third downs, and won the turnover battle by a total of 2-1 in the game. Noah Fifita threw for 297 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception, while Tre Spivey caught seven passes for 129 yards and two scores. Ismail Mahdi rushed 10 times for 63 yards in the game. 

Prior to that win, Arizona defeated NIU by a score of 42-17, but lost to BYU by a score of 28-17 before that. The Wildcats have scored 32.0 points per game with 303.8 passing yards and 130.0 rushing yards per game, while they have allowed 19.0 points against per game this season. Noah Fifita has thrown for 1,131 yards with 11 touchdowns and two interceptions this season. 

Cincinnati Bearcats Betting Preview

The Cincinnati Bearcats are 4-0 (1-0) this year after they defeated Kansas State by a score of 31-26 last week. Cincinnati trailed 17-10 at halftime, but they scored 21 points in the second half for the comeback victory. The Bearcats were out gained by a total of 447-436, went 5-11 on third downs, and tied the turnover battle at one in the game. JC French IV threw for 165 yards and one touchdown, while JV Gibson caught two passes for 66 yards. Gi’Bran Payne rushed 16 times for 126 yards in the win. 

Prior to that game, Cincinnati defeated Miami (OH) by a score of 35-31 and Western Carolina by a score of 62-10. The Bearcats have scored 40.5 points per game with 207.8 passing yards and 270.0 rushing yards per game, while they have allowed 20.5 points against per game this season. JC French IV has thrown for 796 yards with six touchdowns and zero interceptions, while JV Gibson has 18 receptions for 267 yards and three scores this year. 

Why the Arizona Wildcats will win

• Arizona has won each of its last nine home games against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Cincinnati has lost four of its last five games against conference opponents.
• Cincinnati has failed to cover the spread in seven of its last eight October games as a road underdog against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Arizona has covered the spread in three of its last four games against conference opponents.
• The favorite has won the first half in 12 of Cincinnati’s last 13 games.
• The favorite has won the first quarter in 12 of Cincinnati’s last 13 games.

Why the Cincinnati Bearcats will win

• Arizona has lost four of its last five October games as a favorite.
• Cincinnati has won three of its last four road openers as an underdog.
• Arizona has failed to cover the spread in each of its last five games.
• Cincinnati has covered the spread in five of its last six road openers.
• Cincinnati has won the first half in six of its last seven games in October.
• The underdog has won the first quarter in each of Arizona’s last three games.

Total Points Facts

• Eight of Arizona’s last nine home games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.
• Each of Cincinnati’s last five road games have gone OVER the total points line.

Arizona Wildcats Player Prop Facts

• Heading into Week 5, Noah Fifita ranks T7th amongst FBS players for passing touchdowns (11) this season.

Cincinnati Bearcats Player Prop Facts

• Heading into Week 5, Cole Tabb ranks 1st amongst qualified players for Yards Per Carry (11.1) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• Arizona ranks 6th among FBS teams for 3rd down conversion percentage this season (56.0).
• Arizona ranks T6th among FBS teams for red zone percentage against this season (66.7).
• Cincinnati ranks 1st among FBS teams for Q3 points per game this season (15.8).
• Cincinnati ranks 2nd among FBS teams for H2 points per game this season (26.8).

Arizona vs Cincinnati Prediction 

Cincinnati comes into this matchup with an undefeated record so far this year, but this will be a long roadtrip for them. The Bearcats have had two straight second half comeback wins and they have scored 31+ points in all of their games. Arizona’s only loss came on the road against BYU, but they are 0-2 against the spread in their last two. The Wildcats have scored 34+ points in three of their four games and Fifita is looking very good at QB. Take Arizona to cover at home in this one.