Arizona vs. Texas Tech College Football Week 9 Picks (Saturday)
No. 22 Arizona faces No. 13 Texas Tech in Lubbock on Saturday, October 31, in a ranked showdown kicking off at noon ET on ESPN. The Red Raiders enter as 3.5-point home favorites at Galaxy Stadium, with the total set at 54.5. Arizona looks to secure a road upset, while Texas Tech aims to win by more than a field goal to cover. Below, we break down our Arizona vs. Texas Tech picks and predictions, college football betting odds and best bets for Week 9.
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Saturday’s Best Week 9 College Football Picks: Arizona vs. Texas Tech
Week 8 of the 2026 college football season featured some incredible performances. LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt completed 32 of his 45 passes for 387 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-17 win over Auburn. Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney logged 16 receptions for 194 yards and three touchdowns in a 52-23 thrashing of Pitt. The focus now shifts to a Week 9 slate packed with intriguing storylines and ranked programs in action.
No. 22 Arizona Wildcats at No. 13 Texas Tech Red Raiders
Arizona has been riding high ever since its Week 2 loss to BYU. The Wildcats have ripped off five straight victories, most recently blowing out Iowa State 39-3 in Week 8. Quarterback Noah Fifita continued his stellar campaign, throwing for 308 passing yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, Texas Tech’s undefeated season ended with a 37-24 road loss to Cincinnati in Week 8. The Red Raiders couldn’t stop the Bearcats’ rushing attack, allowing 257 yards on 38 carries (6.8 yards per attempt).
Consistent offense is the key to these programs’ hopes of earning a College Football Playoff (CFP) berth. Arizona has been a top-15 team in yards per game (449.3) and third-down conversion rate (54.1%). The Wildcats tire opposing defenses with long scoring drives, which in turn rests their own defense. Texas Tech has been a top-20 team in points per game (36.3) and yards per rush attempt (5.1). The Red Raiders have proven they aren’t afraid to grind out possessions on the ground before finding the end zone.
The difference on Saturday is that only one offense draws a great matchup. Arizona’s defense has stood tall, conceding the 10th-lowest red-zone scoring rate in the country (70.6%). Texas Tech’s defense has struggled, ranking 98th in red-zone scoring rate (88.2%) and 97th in opponent yards per game (402.7). The Wildcats have scored at least 25 points in six of their seven contests. The Red Raiders have surrendered at least 25 points in three of their four Big 12 meetings. Trust the road squad to put up a fight.
Pick: Arizona Team Total Over 24.5 Points (-120)