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The Arizona Wildcats are headed into their first season in the Big 12 with a core that helped knock off five top-25 teams last season.
However, the core players will be without Jedd Fisch, who broke some NCAAF news when he left Arizona to coach the Washington Huskies in the Big Ten this offseason.
As a result, Arizona named Brent Brennan head coach after a very solid seven-year run with San Jose State.
Brennan kept Noah Fifita as quarterback, which was ultimately the best thing he had done since coming to Arizona. Fifita was the Pac-12’s Offensive Freshman of the Year, completing more than 72% of passes and adding 25 touchdowns with just six interceptions.
Will Fifita continue his dominant play at Arizona this season? Let’s break down the 2024 Arizona Wildcats stats and odds below.
At A Glance
| Odds to Win | Opening Odds | Current Odds |
| Championship | +7500 | +20000 |
| Conference | +1000 | +1000 |
| Regular Season Win Total | 7.5 (o-110, u-110) | 7.5 (o-110, u-110) |
| To Make Playoffs | Yes +600, No -1000 | Yes +600, No -1000 |
Arizona’s First Season In The Big 12
There’s a good chance Arizona is ranked inside the Top 25 to begin the season. The Wildcats finished third in the Pac-12 behind Washington and Oregon, earning a 7-2 record in the Pac-12. Ultimately, Arizona ended the season on a seven-game winning streak and went 5-1 at home.
More importantly, Arizona held teams to just 274 points and added 450 points last year. Also, Fifita didn’t start in the first three games.
He had just eight passing attempts against Northern Arizona, UTEP, and Stanford. In that Stanford game, Arizona snuck by with a 21-20 victory. That was when the Wildcats decided on Fifita as the starter. Fifita and Arizona lost by just seven points to Washington and lost by two points in triple overtime to USC. However, Arizona won all the other games.
It’s hard to know how the Wildcats will fare with a new coach, but having the core offense back should help them beat expectations in 2024.
Championship Odds: There Are Worse Futures Than Arizona
The Arizona Wildcats opened at +7500 to win the NCAA Football Championship 2024. However, sportsbooks are carrying Arizona at +20000 odds to win. Make sure you line-shop for the best price.
Moving from the Pac-12 to the Big 12 will be difficult, and the travel will be unpleasant, but the schedule looks easier.
After all, Texas and Oklahoma left the Big 12. Without those two, it’s really anyone’s division. Last season, Arizona knocked off five top-25 opponents and only lost by one possession in their regular season losses.
If Arizona can match last year’s numbers, the Wildcats will at least make the College Football Playoff.
Still, Arizona is +600 to make the College Football Playoff. The oddsmakers believe the Wildcats overperformed last season and will regress this year.
We still think Arizona has a lot of talent and can perform even better in the Big 12 when looking at the matchups. The 2024 Arizona Wildcats stats will be elite on that end of the field.
Conference Odds: Can Arizona Adapt To The Big 12?
On paper, the Arizona Wildcats look like they can handle the Big 12. Ultimately, the Utah Utes are the projected champions of the Big 12, and Arizona is at least familiar with them.
While Utah’s quarterback situation is much better this season, Arizona knocked off Utah, 42-18, at home when Utah was the No. 22 team in the country.
The offense scored at least 27 points in eight consecutive games and defeated Oklahoma by two scores in the Valero Alamo Bowl.
You can’t really use bowl games as a talking point with so many players opting out. But at the time, Oklahoma was a Big 12 school, and Arizona defeated them handily.
At this time, Arizona is +1000 to win the conference. It is currently behind Utah, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, UCF, and Kansas on the odds board and tied with Iowa State.
Regular Season Wins: An Easy 8 Wins
Arizona should add wins against Northern Arizona, Texas Tech, BYU, Colorado, West Virginia, Houston, TCU, and Arizona State.
That’s eight wins before considering a potential upset against Kansas State, Utah, or UCF.
- Arizona’s line is currently at 7.5 (-110).
To Make Playoffs: Offensively Good Enough
While there are some questions at running back, Arizona brought in Quali Conley from SJSU. He gained 842 yards on the ground and should fit well with Fifita at quarterback. Plus, the offensive line is still intact, minus NFL prospect Jordan Morgan. We’d expect really good 2024 Arizona Wildcats stats on the offensive side of the ball.
To win close games, you need a top quarterback. Arizona has that. It’s why there’s so much optimism for Arizona heading into the season despite having a new head coach. At +600 odds, consider taking a flier.
Side Bets
There’s one market carrying the most regular season wins matchups between Arizona and Washington. Although Washington added Jedd Fisch from Arizona, the Wildcats are +200 to have more wins than Washington. These are some of the fun NCAA football lines that you can bet.
This ultimately concerns Arizona playing in the Big 12 and Washington being in the Big Ten. However, we’d agree with backing Arizona to add more wins. Washington’s strength of schedule is much more difficult this year. They’re also without Michael Penix Jr. and many players who brought Washington into the Championship Game last season.
For NCAA Football news, betting analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine
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