The upcoming matchup features Houston (4-5, 3-3 in Big 12) taking on Arizona (3-6, 1-5) on Friday at 10:15 p.m. EST, broadcast on FS1. The odds favor Arizona by 1.5 points, with Houston holding a historical edge in the series, leading it 3-1.
Both teams are aiming to turn their seasons around after contrasting recent performances. Houston is coming off a notable 24-19 victory against No. 20 Kansas State and previously topped Utah 17-14 on October 26. In contrast, Arizona has struggled significantly, most recently suffering a heavy 56-12 defeat against UCF, marking their fifth straight loss. The Wildcats, who began the season with a No. 20 ranking, are desperately seeking solutions as they come off a bye week to prepare for the challenge against the Cougars.
A critical aspect of the match will be the showdown between Arizona’s defense and Houston quarterback Zeon Chriss. Despite improvement last season, Arizona’s defense has shown vulnerability this year, evidenced by allowing 602 total yards against UCF. The team currently ranks near the bottom in the FBS for both scoring and total defense. Meanwhile, Chriss had an impressive performance last week, completing all 11 pass attempts, marking his name among the rare FBS quarterbacks who have achieved 100% accuracy in a game.
In terms of standout players, Houston’s Michael Batton will be a key player to watch. The senior linebacker stands at 6 feet 1 inch and weighs 220 pounds, leading his team with 66 tackles, including 7.5 tackles for loss, and has recorded three sacks.
On the other hand, Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan has had a bright individual season, despite the team struggles. Recognized as a preseason All-American, he ranks second in the nation, accumulating 1,066 receiving yards from 63 receptions, with six touchdowns to his name.
Several facts provide insight into both teams’ performances. Houston ranks 24th in total defense, allowing 318.9 yards per game, a significant improvement from their 104th position last year. Arizona’s rushing offense, however, ranks 110th nationally, averaging just 115 yards per game. Houston’s triumph over Kansas State was notable, being their highest ranked win since defeating No. 14 South Florida in 2017. Furthermore, Arizona’s Noah Fifita needs just 104 passing yards to surpass Ortege Jenkins for 10th on the school’s all-time passing list. Houston has also seen a reduction in penalties, averaging 3.5 in their last four games compared to 7.4 in the first five. Tyler Loop from Arizona stands sixth among active FBS kickers for field goal percentage, boasting an impressive 84%.