Arizona vs. New Mexico prediction, odds, lines: 2024 college football picks, Week 1 best bets by proven model
SportsLine's model just revealed its college football picks and predictions for New Mexico Lobos vs. Arizona Wildcats on Saturday

The No. 21 Arizona Wildcats look to continue the nation's second longest winning streak (seven games) as they host the New Mexico Lobos on Saturday night. Arizona (10-3 in 2023) won its last seven games, including an Alamo Bowl victory over Oklahoma and finished last season ranked No. 11. New Mexico went 4-8 last season and opened the 2024 campaign in Week 0 with a 35-31 home defeat against FCS Montana State.
Kickoff is scheduled at 10:30 p.m. ET on Friday at Arizona Stadium. The Wildcats are favored by 31.5 points in the latest Arizona vs. New Mexico odds, and the over/under is 58.5 points per SportsLine consensus. Before making any Wildcats vs. Lobos picks, be sure to check out the college football predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Since its inception, it has generated a profit of well over $2,000 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. It is also coming off a profitable 13-9 season on top-rated spread picks. Anyone who has followed it has seen strong returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Arizona-New Mexico and has locked in its picks and CFB predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are the college football odds and betting lines for Arizona vs. New Mexico:
- Arizona vs. New Mexico spread: Arizona -31.5
- Arizona vs. New Mexico over/under: 58.5 points
- Arizona vs. New Mexico money line: Arizona -8333, New Mexico +2140
- Arizona vs. New Mexico picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why Arizona can cover
Despite losing coach Jedd Fisch and several key starters to Washington in the offseason, the Wildcats return the majority of their successful core intact. Quarterback Noah Fifita didn't start until the fifth game of the season, but he still managed 25 touchdown passes and averaged more than 311 yards per game. He is now among the top-20 choices in the preseason Heisman Trophy odds at +4000.
The true star of Arizona's offense is wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, who caught 90 passes for 1,402 yards and ten scores last season. Considered one of the top two most talented players at his position (along with Missouri's Luther Burden), McMillan should feast in an offensive now run by former Syracuse coach Dino Babers. In Brent Brennan's debut as Arizona's head coach, Fifita and McMillian should have big days and continue the Wildcats' winning streak. See which team to pick here.
Why New Mexico can cover
Through three quarters last week, the Lobos seemed poised for the Week 0 upset over FCS Montana State. They led by 17 going into the fourth quarter but couldn't convert a key third down to salt the game away late and the Bobcats capitalized. Quarterback Devon Dampier was efficient in his season debut, throwing for 172 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for 34 yards and another score.
While the New Mexico defense returned two fumbles for touchdowns, they also gave up 567 yards, including 362 on the ground to Montana State. Arizona's starting running back is former Lobos runner Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who rushed for 1,190 yards and 17 scores for New Mexico a year ago. Former UNM head coach Danny Gonzales is Arizona's linebackers coach, adding additional intrigue to this matchup. To slow the Wildcats' potent offense, New Mexico must improve significantly over last week's performance in the disappointing defeat. See which team to pick here.
How to make Arizona vs. New Mexico picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting 75 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits more than 70% of the time. You can only get the model's pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Arizona vs. New Mexico, and which side of the spread hits in more than 70% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread to jump on, all from the advanced computer simulation model that's up well over $2,000 on its college football picks since inception, and find out.















