The Arizona Wildcats host the Baylor Bears for a Week 13 matchup on Saturday afternoon. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET in Tucson, Arizona.
The Wildcats are listed as 7-point home favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook, with the total set at O/U 62.5 points. Below is my full preview, prediction, and best bet for this matchup between these two Big 12 opponents.
Baylor vs. Arizona prediction, preview
Baylor Preview
It has been a disappointing season for Baylor. Despite having one of the nation’s best quarterbacks, Sawyer Robertson, the Bears need to win one of their final two games just to reach bowl eligibility. Those two final matchups are both tough games, against Arizona and Houston. Dave Aranda’s seat is already red hot, and if Baylor fails to make a bowl game, it’s difficult to see him sticking around in Waco. Sawyer Robertson has been the definite bright spot for Baylor this season. Robertson leads the nation in passing yards and is just one touchdown behind Fernando Mendoza for the national lead in passing touchdowns. He is capable of lighting up any defense in the country but has gotten no help from his own defense this season.
Arizona Preview
Unlike Baylor, Arizona is having a great season. If the Wildcats win out, they will finish with a 9-3 record in Brent Brennan’s second season. Brennan took over a program on the rocks after Jedd Fisch left for Washington late in the coaching cycle before the 2024 season. Brennan managed to convince quarterback Noah Fifita to hang around, even after the team struggled last season. He was able to build a solid roster in his first full offseason with the program, and the results on the field have been great. Arizona’s only losses have been against an at-the-time-ranked Iowa State, against a ranked Houston team and in overtime against a ranked BYU team. Against middle-of-the-pack Big 12 teams, both Fifita and the Arizona defense have excelled.
Baylor vs. Arizona pick, best bet
My best bet for this game is the over 62.5 points. These are two offenses capable of scoring in bunches. Sawyer Robertson is one of the most explosive quarterbacks in the country and can create big plays out of nowhere. Meanwhile, Noah Fifita can do the same for Arizona. Baylor has been unable to stop any elite offenses that it has faced this season. Last week, Utah put up 55 points against Baylor. The Bears have also given up 41 points to Cincinnati, 42 points to TCU, 45 points to SMU, and 34 points to Kansas State this season. Any offense capable of putting up big numbers has done so against Baylor. Meanwhile, Arizona has allowed BYU, Houston and Iowa State to reach the 30s this season. Both teams should be able to score in bunches and get the total over this number.
