The Houston Cougars (4-5) face the Arizona Wildcats (3-6) in a crucial Friday night matchup at Arizona Stadium. Kickoff is set for 10:15 p.m. ET on FS1, with both teams fighting to keep their bowl hopes alive.

Arizona enters as 1.5-point home favorites, with -120 moneyline odds implying a 54.5% win probability. The total is set at 46.5 points.

Houston brings momentum, winning three of their last four games, including an upset over #17 Kansas State. Quarterback Zeon Chriss has energized the offense while completing 69.1% of his passes and adding 294 rushing yards. The Cougars' defense ranks 23rd nationally in yards allowed.

Houston's rushing attack, led by Re'Shaun Sanford II and Stacy Sneed, will test Arizona's struggling run defense (169.4 yards allowed per game). The Cougars are 3-0 when surpassing 200 rushing yards this season.

Arizona has lost five straight games and struggles defensively, allowing 31.1 points per game. Quarterback Noah Fifita (2,324 yards, 13 TDs) and receiver Tetairoa McMillan (1,066 yards, 6 TDs) lead their pass-heavy offense, though Fifita's 10 interceptions have been costly.

Prediction:

• Houston +1.5 (-110): The Cougars' momentum and strong defense give them the edge
• Over 46.5 points (-110): Both teams have shown offensive capability despite inconsistency
• Houston's balanced attack should control the clock and expose Arizona's defensive vulnerabilities

The combination of Houston's improving offense and Arizona's defensive struggles suggests a higher-scoring game than the total indicates, making the over 46.5 the strongest play.

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