Arizona vs Arizona State Prediction, Line & Picks for Friday Night CFB

• #25 Arizona is a 1.5-point favorite over #20 Arizona State in Friday Night CFB action
• The Wildcats rank 14th in opponent yards per play, and 9th in passing yards allowed per game
• See my Arizona vs Arizona State prediction, plus the line and my picks for Friday Night CFB

In state rivals clash on Friday night CFB as #25 Arizona (8-3, 5-3 Big 12) visits #20 Arizona State (8-3, 6-2 Big 12). The Sun Devils Big 12 title game hopes are still alive entering play, but online sportsbooks don’t expect that to be the case once the game ends per the latest college football odds.

Kickoff is set for 9pm ET from Mountain America Stadium, in Tempe, AZ, with FOX providing the broadcast coverage.

Here is my Arizona vs Arizona State prediction, plus the latest line and my picks for tonight’s contest.

Arizona vs Arizona State Prediction

Neither one of these teams is a true CFP odds contender, but I trust the Wildcats to take care of business as a short road favorite. Arizona comes in riding a four-game winning streak, and are fresh off routing Baylor after previously upsetting a then-ranked Cincinnati team on the road.

The Wildcats’ only two losses since the start of October have been a double OT defeat to #11 Baylor, and a 3-point road loss to a very good Houston program. Since then, they’ve outscored their conference opposition by 67 points, with Noah Fifita leading the way. Tonight will likely mark the final start of the junior’s career, and he’ll be looking to cap off his college tenure in style.

Fifita enters play with a 17-to-3 TD-to-INT rate over his last seven games. He commands an offense that averages 32 points per game and 5.6 yards per play, and that features six receivers who average over 11.0 yards per catch. The run game has been efficient as well, led by Ismail Mahdi and his 6.8 yards per carry. The senior has scored in three of his last four outings and has at least one 27+ yard rush in each of those contests.

The Arizona State defense is stronger against the run than they are versus the pass, but they are by no means elite. They rank 56th in quality drives allowed, and sit middle of the pack in most metrics against enemy QB’s.

On the other side of the ball is where the real advantage lies. Sun Devils starting QB Sam Leavitt is out for the season, and backup Jeff Sims is not somebody who can move the ball efficiently through the air. Sims is completing only 53.6% of his passes in conference play, averaging just 6.2 yards per attempt.

The senior is much more dangerous with his legs, but you cannot be one-dimensional against this excellent Wildcats defense. Arizona enters play ranked 14th in opponent yards per play. They’re fifth in yards allowed per pass, ninth in passing yards allowed per game, and eighth in takeaways.

Arizona Defensive Stats

They’re a little less imposing against the run, ranking 45th in yards allowed per carry, but they’ll load the box in this matchup to force Sims to try and beat them. Opponents are producing quality drives on just 35.6% of their possessions versus Arizona, and I expect that number to be even lower tonight for ASU with Sims under center.

Also working against the Sun Devils passing attack is the health of star receiver Jordyn Tyson. The junior averaged 8 catches per game over his first seven outings, before suffering a hamstring injury. He returned last week after a three-week absence, and was only able to run 29 routes. He’ll be operating at less than 100%, which significantly lowers the ceiling of the Arizona State offense.

Arizona vs Arizona State Line

The best place to bet Arizona against the spread is over at BetRivers. They’re offering a -1 line at -122 odds, while most other books like BetMGM are half a point higher. Total-wise, the consensus number sits at 47.5, down a point from when opening odds were released.

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK

Offer

T&Cs

Get Up To $1,500 Paid Back in Bonus Bets

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US), Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. This promotional offer is not available in DC, MS, NY, NV, ON, or PR.

LOCK IN PROMO

CODE: SBD1500

CODE: SBD1500

SIGNUP BONUS

GET $1,500
BACK

BET NOW

Odds as of Nov. 28. New customers can claim the BetMGM promo code and get a bonus to bet on college football.

Per the college football public betting trends, the Wildcats have been rolling against the spread lately. They’re 4-0 ATS in their last four outings agains the closing line, covering by an average of 14.5 points per game.

Arizona vs Arizona State Picks

Switching over to the college football player props market, where if you don’t have an Underdog account you’re going to want to open one up immediately. They’re offering over 6.5 rushing yards for Fifita at -112 odds, a number he’s cleared six times in his last nine outings.

Fifita has seen 30 carries in his last three games alone, and will likely need to scramble more often than usual tonight. That’s because the Sun Devils generate pressure as well as any program in the Big 12. Fifita does take sacks more often than you’d like, but he’s also ripped off a 10+ yard run in seven of his 11 starts.