Arizona Wildcats vs Mississippi State Bulldogs Point Spread Picks

Arizona is 7-18 straight-up under third-year coach Jedd Fisch. The offense is decent but the defense is short on talent everywhere. Last season, the Wildcats defense ranked 113th in points surrendered (34 per game) and 125th in total yards allowed (473.3 per game). And the five leading tacklers from a year ago are gone. Arizona is 67-96 ATS after a victory, 54-95 ATS after a spread cover, and 31-49 ATS after scoring 37+ points in the last game. The Wildcats head out on the road for the first time making a long trek to face the SEC. Mississippi State plays its second straight home game for new coach Zach Arnett after crushing SE Louisiana, 48-7. Quarterback Will Rogers returns after throwing for 35 TDs and only eight interceptions in 2022. They're looking for more offensive balance and will be able to run the football well against the Arizona defense. Last September, Mississippi State won at Arizona, 39-17, with 426 total yards while the defense forced three turnovers and held the Wildcats to 50 rushing yards (1.8 ypc). Play Mississippi State.

The Arizona program has really taken a hit as the Wildcats are 1-16 SU in the last 2 years. They opened the season with a win vs San Diego St., so the optimism level has risen dramatically. The best part of the win was the defense that allowed just 232 yards and forced 2 turnovers. Miss St. crushed Memphis at home but will be on the road for this one. Miss St. has been a different team on the road over the years. The Bulldogs are 33-24 ATS to the under since 2010 taking to the road. It certainly looks like Arizona has significantly improved defensively, and with a Miss St. team that has struggled for a long period on the road generating offense, I like the under in this one.