The Northern Arizona Lumberjacks and Arizona Wildcats play on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, Arizona, in a game on the college football Week 1 schedule.
Which team will win the college football Week 1 game?
Check out these college football Week 1 picks and college football Week 1 predictions for the game, which can be seen at 6:30 p.m. MST on ESPN+ (stream with ESPN+).
Arizona is a 33.5-point favorite over Northern Arizona in college football Week 1 odds for the game, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.
The Wildcats are -10000 on the moneyline, while the Lumberjacks are +3000. The over/under (point total) for the game is set at 57.5 points.
Watch Northern Arizona vs Arizona on ESPN+
The Arizona Republic: Arizona 41, NAU 17
Jeremy Cluff writes: "Arizona went 9-4
overall in Brent Brennan's second season. Can the Wildcats challenge for the Big 12 title in 2026? The answer might depend on how much help they give QB Noah Fifita."
Bookies.com: Bet Arizona to cover vs Northern Arizona
Bill Speros writes: "The Wildcats finished 9-4 last season but slipped among the Big 12 elite. Brent Brennan must insure all is well heading into the real schedule by handling this week’s cupcake with ease. Fifth-year QB Noah Fifita and the ‘Cats purr at home against a Big Sky in-state foe. This number isn’t outrageous - and has tightened by 2 points since it opened."
Dimers.com: Arizona 43, Northern Arizona 12
It writes: "After extensive simulations, our model gives Northern Arizona a win probability of 2%, while Arizona has a win probability of 98%."
ESPN: Arizona has a 97.1% chance to defeat NAU on Saturday
The site gives the Lumberjacks a 2.9% shot at winning the college football Week 1 game.
Arizona Daily Star: Arizona 52, NAU 17
Michael Lev writes: "The upset loss to NAU in 2021 is a distant memory; no one from that UA team is still on the roster. Arizona prevailed in the two subsequent meetings, although the 2024 matchup was a bit of a clunker offensively and foretold what was to come that season. Expect fireworks this time from a UA offense that’s been fine-tuned by second-year coordinator Seth Doege — and some mistakes by a UA secondary that’s still figuring things out. Don’t be surprised if QB Noah Fifita ties his personal best of five TD passes."
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today. Sign up for azcentral Preps Now. And be sure to subscribe to our daily sports newsletters so you don't miss a thing.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona vs NAU picks, predictions, odds for college football Week 1
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. It is your sole responsibility to act in accordance with your local laws.
Gambling involves risk. Please only gamble with funds that you can comfortably afford to lose. While we do our utmost to offer good advice and information we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of gambling. We do our best to make sure all the information that we provide on this site is correct. However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable. Please check any stats or information if you are unsure how accurate they are. No guarantees are made with regards to results or financial gain. All forms of betting carry financial risk and it is up to the individual to make bets with or without the assistance of information provided on this site and we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of following the betting tips provided on this site. Past performances do not guarantee success in the future and betting odds fluctuate from one minute to the next. The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice.
Prediction Markets: Certain prediction markets are event contracts regulated by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) or other applicable regulatory authorities and are legally distinct from traditional gambling and sports betting. Eligibility requirements to participate in prediction markets differ from those for sports betting and gambling — you may be required to be 18 or older (or such other age as the applicable platform requires) and to satisfy other eligibility criteria established by the relevant platform and governing law. Prediction market trading involves financial risk and may not be available in all jurisdictions. The legal and regulatory status of prediction markets varies by jurisdiction and by platform. It is your sole responsibility to confirm that participation is lawful where you reside and to comply with all applicable laws and platform terms.
Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.
