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Arizona and #15 BYU will kick off its Big 12 schedule in Week 2 on Saturday, September 12. The Cougars enter this matchup as a 7.5-point home favorite, with kickoff occurring at 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX.
The Wildcats got their 2026 college football campaign underway with a lopsided 35-7 victory over Northern Arizona in Week 1. Meanwhile, the Cougars cruised to a 63-7 win against Utah Tech to begin the year.
Below, we'll break down our Arizona vs. BYU prediction and picks for Saturday’s college football game, including the spread, over/under, and key player picks on PrizePicks.
Make your Arizona vs. BYU prediction on PrizePicks now!
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Arizona vs. BYU Prediction, Spread, Over/Under – Saturday, September 12
Progress was made by Arizona in the second year of the Brent Brennan era in 2025, finishing with a 9-4 record after going 4-8 in 2024. Coming off just their second season of winning nine or more games since 2015, it was a positive sign to see the Wildcats not slip up against an FCS opponent in Week 1.
In the win against Northern Arizona, QB Noah Fifita tossed the ball for 279 yards and 2 TDs, with WR Giovanni Richardson contributing 96 of those yards. After recording the sixth-lowest turnover-worthy play rate (1.9%) among QBs with 300-plus dropbacks in 2025, Fifita is one of 19 QBs with 30-plus dropbacks to begin this season with 0 turnover-worthy plays, per PFF.
Fifita currently has the third-lowest payout to throw for the most yards among Big 12 QBs (2.7x) on PrizePicks.
BYU advanced to the Big 12 Championship game last season, only to be blown out 34-7 by Texas Tech. Head coach Kalani Sitake has led the Cougars to 11 or more wins and a victory of at least 28 points against an FCS school in the team’s season opener in back-to-back years, so the 56-point win against Utah Tech isn’t a surprise.
En route to BYU rolling to a 63-7 win in Week 1, it was the team’s rushing attack that led the way, racking up 308 yards and 5 TDs on 46 attempts. Five different players found the end zone on the ground against Utah Tech, including QB Bear Bachmeier.
After finishing runner-up to Texas Tech in the Big 12 in 2025, the same outcome is expected for BYU in 2026, as it has the second-lowest payout to win the conference (5.88x). The Red Raiders own a 1.92x payout to win the Big 12 title.
Arizona vs. BYU Spread, Over/Under for Week 2 – Saturday, September 12
BYU enters Saturday’s game as a 7.5-point home favorite against Arizona, returning a 1.29x payout on PrizePicks if it wins outright.
Here are the full payouts for the Arizona vs. BYU game on PrizePicks.
Make your Arizona vs. BYU prediction on the over/under on PrizePicks.
Payouts show potential returns on correct PrizePicks predictions. A 2x payout returns $200 on a $100 entry. Lower multipliers reflect outcomes users are picking as more likely. Payouts are live as of writing and subject to change.
Arizona vs. BYU Prediction on Over/Under – 9/12/26
Here are the key game stats and trends behind our Arizona vs. BYU prediction on the total for Saturday, September 12’s game.
- Arizona and BYU have faced each other in conference play in back-to-back years, and the over is 2-0 in those contests, with 60 total points being scored in both games.
- The Cougars want to pound the rock after ranking in the 65th percentile in EPA/rush (0.11) and the 24th-highest rushing success rate (49.5%) in 2025, per Game On Paper.
- The weakness of the Wildcats’ defense last season was their run defense, as they were in the 59th percentile in EPA/rush (0.06) and 93rd percentile in EPA/pass (-0.14) allowed.
- BYU logged a 4-2 record to the over when playing in front of its home fans last year.
- Arizona went 2-1 to the over against ranked opponents in 2025, including the 33-27 overtime loss to BYU.
- U of A excelled at keeping drives alive a season ago, residing in the 81st percentile in late-down success rate (50.3%).
- The Wildcats went 7 of 12 on third downs and a perfect 2 for 2 on fourth downs in the win over Northern Arizona in Week 1.
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Arizona vs. BYU Picks, Player Stats for PrizePicks: 9/12/26
Here are the top Arizona vs. BYU picks to target on Saturday, September 12. Today’s college football picks for PrizePicks include QB Bear Bachmeier and WR Giovanni Richardson.
Arizona WR Giovanni Richardson vs. BYU: 40.5 Receiving Yards
- Richardson notched 96 yards on 8 catches in the opener against Northern Arizona.
- Of the Wildcats’ skill players who ran 10 or more routes in Week 1, Richardson had the most yards per route run (3.69) and the second-most yards after the catch per reception (9.8).
- Arizona is the underdog in this matchup, which could mean more pass-catching opportunities for Richardson.
Add Giovanni Richardson to your PrizePicks lineup now.
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BYU QB Bear Bachmeier vs. Arizona: 214.5 Pass Yards
- As mentioned, BYU should concentrate on running the ball against Arizona, especially after gashing Utah Tech for 6.7 yards per attempt.
- Bachmeier threw for only 172 yards on 29 attempts in last year’s matchup against the Wildcats, despite the game going to overtime.
- Even in a favorable spot against Utah Tech in Week 1, Bachmeier posted just 198 passing yards.
Add Bear Bachmeier to your PrizePicks lineup now.
Make Arizona vs. BYU Picks on PrizePicks
Arizona would love to avenge its loss to BYU from a season ago on Saturday, while the Cougars want to make a jump in the rankings. Regardless of the outcome, points are expected in this Big 12 clash.
Don’t wait until kickoff — make your Arizona vs. BYU picks on PrizePicks now and earn real money if you’re right.
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