Arizona vs Texas Tech Picks and Predictions for Saturday, October 31, 2026
A pair of ranked Big 12 teams will meet Saturday when No. 22 Arizona visits No. 13 Texas Tech at Galaxy Stadium in Lubbock. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 pm ET on ESPN. Both teams are 6-1 overall and 3-1 in conference play, with Arizona third and Texas Tech fourth in the Big 12 standings. The Wildcats crushed Iowa State 39-3 last Saturday for their fifth straight victory. Texas Tech suffered its first loss, falling 37-24 at Cincinnati. Arizona enters as a 3.5-point underdog. Find more winners with our free NCAAF picks.
Arizona Has Been Rolling Since September
Arizona hasn't lost since its 28-17 defeat at BYU in the second game of the season, and has been putting together some impressive results. The Wildcats beat Washington State 34-24, Cincinnati 34-7 and West Virginia 52-31 before taking care of Iowa State last weekend. That latest victory was particularly convincing. Arizona held the Cyclones to three points while scoring 39 of its own. The Wildcats have scored at least 34 points in each of their last five outings, giving them plenty of confidence heading into Lubbock.
Noah Fifita has been a big reason for Arizona's success. The quarterback has thrown for 2,064 yards with 18 touchdowns and just four interceptions, completing 74.2% of his passes. Isaiah Mizell has been his most dangerous receiving option, gaining 493 yards and scoring five touchdowns. Arizona also has 23 sacks on defense, with Chase Kennedy recording four. The Wildcats will need that pressure against a Texas Tech offense that has enjoyed considerable success running the football.
Injuries: Tre Spivey and Daylen Austin are out. S. Brennan, C. Warren III, Giovanni Richardson, Cole Rusk and Max Harris are questionable.
Texas Tech Looking to Recover at Home
Texas Tech had been winning comfortably before Saturday's trip to Cincinnati. The Red Raiders beat Colorado 29-7, scored 53 against Arizona State and handled Sam Houston 49-14. Cincinnati proved much tougher. Texas Tech allowed 37 points and lost 37-24, ending its unbeaten start. The Red Raiders return home looking for a better defensive performance. Their previous four victories included three games with at least 28 points, so there hasn't been much trouble producing offense.
The ground game gives Texas Tech a different way to attack Arizona. J'Koby Williams has rushed for 619 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 7.2 yards per carry. Quarterback Will Hammond has thrown for 1,561 yards, although his six touchdown passes have been matched by six interceptions. Defensively, A.J. Holmes Jr. has 5.5 sacks, and John Curry has intercepted three passes. The Red Raiders can create turnovers, but they'll face a quarterback who has protected the football well.
Injuries: Donte Lee Jr. and Cameron Dickey are out. Jalen Jones is questionable.
Key To The Game
Arizona's passing attack against Texas Tech's defense is the matchup to watch. Fifita has thrown 18 touchdowns with only four interceptions, and the Wildcats have consistently found ways to score. Texas Tech can answer with Williams and a strong rushing game, but Saturday's loss to Cincinnati exposed some defensive problems. If Arizona protects Fifita and forces Hammond to throw more often, the Wildcats have an excellent chance to keep this close.
Arizona vs Texas Tech Game Pick
- Arizona Wildcats +3.5
Texas Tech deserves respect at home, but Arizona has been playing better football lately. The Wildcats have won five straight, and their 39-3 victory over Iowa State was impressive on both sides of the ball. Fifita has been much more reliable through the air than Hammond, which matters against a Texas Tech defense coming off a difficult afternoon in Cincinnati. The Red Raiders' rushing attack is dangerous, but Arizona has enough offense to answer. With both teams carrying identical records, getting 3.5 points with the Wildcats offers the stronger wager. Arizona covers the spread Saturday.
Arizona vs Texas Tech Over/Under Pick
- Over 54.5
Arizona has scored 34 or more points in five consecutive games, while Texas Tech has reached 24 points in each of its last five. Both offenses have shown they can produce big plays, although they get there in different ways. Fifita gives Arizona a dangerous passing attack, and Williams can break long runs for Texas Tech. The Red Raiders also allowed 37 points against Cincinnati last weekend. Arizona's defense was excellent against Iowa State, but Texas Tech presents a stronger rushing challenge. Both teams contribute enough points to push this game over 54.5.