Dec 28, 2023; San Antonio, TX, USA; Arizona Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita (11) throws a pass in the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
- New Mexico vs Arizona is featured on Saturday Night College Football
- The Lobos are heavily favored in the NM vs Arizona odds
- Read below for New Mexico vs Arizona odds, pick and prediction for August 31
Saturday night college football features a showdown between New Mexico and Arizona on ESPN (Aug 31). The odds are lopsided for this one, with the Wildcats favored by nearly 30 points against the Lobos in Tuscon.
New Mexico suffered a crushing loss to Montana State in their season opener, while Arizona is playing their first game of the 2024 season. Kickoff is 10;30 PM ET from Arizona Stadium.
Here is a look at the New Mexico vs Arizona odds, along with our betting pick and prediction,
New Mexico vs Arizona Odds
| Spread | Moneyline | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|
| +29.5 (-110) | +2500 | 58.5 (-110) |
| -29.5 (-110) | -10000 | 58.5 (-110) |
Arizona is laying a whopping 29.5 points in this matchup, which implies a 96.15% probability that they’ll come out on top. New Mexico’s +2500 moneyline odds, meanwhile, give them just a 3.85% implied probability of pulling off the upset.
Odds as of August 31, 2024, at ESPN Sportsbook. Register with the ESPN Bet promo code to wager on Saturday college football.
There are several reasons why Arizona is such a large favorite. The Wildcats are coming off an impressive 9-3 season and boasted an 11-2 ATS record. When favored last year, Arizona was a perfect 6-0 ATS, making them a smart pick for sharp bettors.
The total for this game is set at 58.5 points, indicating that oddsmakers are expecting a high-scoring contest. New Mexico has gone over the total in nine of their last 12 games.
New Mexico vs Arizona H2H
| Result |
|---|
| Arizona 45, New Mexico 37 |
In the only meeting between these two teams in the last nine years, Arizona came out on top with a 45-37 victory back in 2015.
Lobos Betting Analysis
New Mexico comes into this game with a 0-1 record after suffering a tough 35-31 loss to Montana State in Week 0. The Lobos covered the 13.5-point spread but would have loved to start the season with a major upset win.
Despite the setback, there were some positives for the Lobos, particularly the play of senior quarterback Devon Dampier. The Albuquerque native completed 18 of 26 passes for 172 yards and a touchdown in the opener.
STRAIGHT TO THE END ZONE 💨@UNMLoboFB with another before the half 🔥 pic.twitter.com/jddPvj2iiy
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) August 24, 2024
The Lobos’ rushing attack also showed some promise, with sophomore Eli Sanders out of Denver rushing for 87 yards on 17 carries. New Mexico will need Sanders and the rest of the backfield to step up against a tough Arizona defense.
Defensively, New Mexico had a rough outing against Montana State, giving up 567 total yards, including nearly 350 on the ground. The Lobos did benefit from five Bobcat turnovers, including two fumble recoveries that were returned for touchdowns.
If New Mexico wants to shock the college football world and upset Arizona, they’ll need to tighten up their run defense and force the Wildcats into making mistakes.
Wildcats Betting Analysis
Arizona enters the 2024 season with lofty expectations, largely due to the return of junior quarterback Noah Fifita. The Honulelue native is coming off a fantastic sophomore season that saw him throw for 2,586 yards, 25 touchdowns, and just six interceptions.
Fifita’s go-to target, Tetairoa McMillan, is also back for his junior campaign. The 6-foot-4 wideout from Anaheim racked up 1,236 receiving yards last season and is poised for another monster year. Arizona’s offensive line returns four starters, which should give Fifita plenty of time to find his weapons.
On the defensive side of the ball, Arizona was impressive in 2023-24, holding five FBS opponents under 21 points. The Wildcats’ defense should be even better this year with the addition of linebacker Tre Smith, a transfer from San Jose State.
For Arizona to cover the massive 29.5-point spread, they’ll need to rely on their high-octane offense and exploit a New Mexico defense that surrendered over 500 yards to an FCS opponent in Week 0. If Fifita and McMillan can get on the same page early, it could be a long night for the Lobos in the desert.
New Mexico vs Arizona Prediction
It’s hard to see New Mexico keeping this game competitive, considering the massive talent disparity between these two programs. Arizona’s offense should have a field day against a Lobos defense that was gashed for over 500 yards by an FCS team in Week 0.
The Wildcats have been money for bettors when favored, going a perfect 6-0 ATS in their last six games as chalk. They’ve also been dominant at home, covering the spread in each of their last six games at Arizona Stadium.
Given all these factors, I’m laying the points with Arizona in this one. The Wildcats’ high-powered offense should be too much for the Lobos to handle, and I expect Fifita and McMillan to connect early and often. Look for Arizona to win this one in blowout fashion, covering the hefty 29.5-point spread in the process.
- Saturday CFB Pick: Arizona -29.5 (-110)
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Brady is the lead NHL and College Football editor at Sports Betting Dime, where he specializes in betting odds and data-driven analysis. Brady has over 10 years experience working in sports media, with work published by outlets such as ESPN, CBS Sports, Yahoo! Sports and Fox Sports.
In this highly anticipated Saturday night college football matchup, the New Mexico Lobos will take on the Arizona Wildcats. Both teams are coming off of tough losses in their previous games and will be looking to bounce back with a win.
The odds for this game currently favor Arizona, with the Wildcats being listed as 10-point favorites. This is not surprising given that Arizona has a stronger overall record and has shown more consistency throughout the season. However, New Mexico should not be underestimated, as they have shown flashes of potential and have the ability to pull off an upset.
One key factor to consider in this game is the performance of the quarterbacks. Arizona’s Grant Gunnell has been solid this season, throwing for over 1,500 yards and 9 touchdowns. On the other hand, New Mexico’s Tevaka Tuioti has also been impressive, throwing for over 1,000 yards and 6 touchdowns. Whichever quarterback can limit turnovers and make big plays will likely have a significant impact on the outcome of the game.
Another important factor to consider is the performance of the defenses. Arizona has struggled at times this season, allowing an average of 31 points per game. New Mexico’s defense has been slightly better, allowing an average of 28 points per game. Whichever defense can step up and make key stops will give their team a better chance at victory.
In terms of a prediction, I believe that Arizona will ultimately come out on top in this game. They have the home-field advantage and a slightly more talented roster. However, I do not think they will cover the 10-point spread. I predict that Arizona will win by a touchdown in a close and competitive game.
Overall, this Saturday night college football matchup between New Mexico and Arizona is sure to be an exciting one. Both teams will be hungry for a win and will be giving it their all on the field. It will be interesting to see which team can execute their game plan effectively and come out on top.