West Virginia Mountaineers (3-4) vs. Arizona Wildcats (3-4)
October 26, 2024 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: Arizona Wildcats -3 / West Virginia Mountaineers +3; Over/Under: +54.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The West Virginia Mountaineers and Arizona Wildcats meet Saturday in week 9 college football action at Arizona Stadium. Here’s an Arizona vs West Virginia Prediction. This article will include an Arizona vs West Virginia Pick.
West Virginia Mountaineers Betting Preview
The West Virginia Mountaineers lost to Iowa State and Kansas State, and they play Cincinnati next. West Virginia has split its last 8 road games. Garrett Greene is completing 55.9 percent of his passes for 1,352 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions. Hudson Clement and Traylon Ray have combined for 651 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns, while Kole Taylor has 22 receptions.
The West Virginia Mountaineers ground game is averaging 203.9 yards per contest, and Garrett Greene leads the way with 471 yards and 3 touchdowns. Defensively, West Virginia is allowing 28.7 points and 382.1 yards per game. Josiah Trotter leads the West Virginia Mountaineers with 54 tackles, T.J. Jackson has 3.5 sacks and Tyrin Bradley Jr. has 1 interception.
Arizona Wildcats Betting Preview
The Arizona Wildcats lost to BYU and Colorado, and they play UCF next. The Arizona Wildcats have won 5 of their last 7 home games. Noah Fifita is completing 59.1 percent of his passes for 1,774 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Tetairoa McMillan and Keyan Burnett have combined for 985 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns, while Montana Lemonious-Craig has 17 receptions.
The Arizona Wildcats ground game is averaging 136 yards per contest, and Quali Conley leads the way with 500 yards and 6 touchdowns. Defensively, Arizona is allowing 27.8 points and 362 yards per game. Jacob Manu leads the Arizona Wildcats with 47 tackles, Tre Smith has 2.5 sacks and Genesis Smith has 2 interceptions.
Why the West Virginia Mountaineers will win
- West Virginia has won each of its last six games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Arizona has lost 10 of its last 11 October games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- West Virginia has covered the spread in each of its last six games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Arizona has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four games as a favorite against non-AP-ranked teams.
- West Virginia has won the first quarter in five of its last six games against conference opponents.
- Arizona has lost the first half in four of its last five games against conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Seven of West Virginia’s last eight games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Five of Arizona’s last six home games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- Arizona ranks 132nd among FBS teams for Q2 points per game this season (3.3).
- Arizona ranks T127th among FBS teams for average point differential in second quarters this season (-6.6).
- West Virginia ranks T12th among FBS teams for 1st downs this season (168).
- West Virginia ranks T15th among FBS teams for Q1 opponent points per game this season (2.9).
Arizona vs West Virginia Prediction
The Arizona Wildcats are getting the benefit of the doubt because they’re at home, but you can make an argument that West Virginia is the better team. Arizona is not great defensively and is 100th in scoring offense. Arizona is also 0-4 ATS this season as a favorite and has lost the last two games outright. As long as West Virginia can avoid the turnovers, this is a game that could come down to the wire. Not my favorite game on the week 9 card, but I’d want the free field goal with the Mountaineers if getting involved.
