Pitt at Louisville
By Brian Edwards
During the VI Handicapping Seminar at Red Rock Casino in August, I predicted that Louisville would start 2-5 and fire third-year head coach Steve Kragthorpe following a blowout loss at Cincinnati on Oct. 24. Furthermore, I called for former Tennessee coach Philip Fulmer to be named his replacement before Thanksgiving.
To date, I’ve seen nothing to deter my original thought process. After going 41-9 during Bobby Petrino’s four-year tenure, the Cardinals have fallen off the national radar with an abysmal 12-15 record on Kragthorpe’s watch.
If Kragthorpe is going to save his job, he had better start by leading Louisville (1-2 straight up, 1-1 against the spread) to a home win Friday night at Papa John Stadium. Las Vegas Sports Consultants opened Pittsburgh (3-1 SU, 2-1 ATS) as six-point favorite with a total of 53½.
As of Thursday afternoon, most betting shops had the Panthers favored by 6½ with the total in the 52-53 range. U of L is plus-220 on the money line (risk $100 to win $220).
Dave Wannstedt’s team is playing its second road game in as many weeks. Pitt went to Raleigh last weekend and had a 31-17 lead late in the third quarter. However, Russell Wilson threw a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown passes to spark North Carolina St. to a 38-31 comeback victory. The Wolfpack took the cash as a 1½-point home underdog.
In the losing effort, Bill Stull threw for 206 yards and two TD passes without an interception. For the season, the senior quarterback has completed 65.6 percent of his throws for 746 yards with an outstanding 8/1 touchdown-interception ratio.
With LeSean McCoy and LaRod Stephens-Howling now wearing NFL uniforms, Pitt came into 2009 without any experience in the backfield. Nevertheless, the running-back position has been a strength thanks to the emergence of redshirt freshman RB Dion Lewis, who has 493 rushing yards and seven TDs. Lewis is averaging 5.7 yards per carry.
Louisville started the season with a 30-10 home win over Indiana St. in a non-lined affair. After an open date, the Cardinals had a great shot at pulling an upset in the Governor’s Cup at Kentucky. But the Wildcats rallied in the fourth quarter -- just like they did against the Cards in Lexington in 2007 – to capture a 31-27 win. On the bright side, U of L backers cashed tickets catching 13 points.
Kragthorpe’s team went to Utah last week and lost a 30-14 decision. The Utes covered the number as 14-point home favorites. U of L found itself down 20-0 at intermission, only to get back ahead of the number twice (20-7 and 23-14) before letting down their backers in the end.
The Cards couldn’t muster anything on the ground against Utah, rushing 35 times for merely 80 yards. Junior QB Justin Burke, a transfer from N.C. St., had an eight-yard TD run and a 16-yard TD pass to Cameron Graham, but he connected on just 15-of-33 passes for 181 yards with an interception.
For the year, Burke has completed only 51.1 percent of his passes for 649 yards with a mediocre ¾ touchdown-interception ratio. RB Victor Anderson has a team-high 225 rushing yards and three TDs. He’s averaging 5.2 YPC.
Louisville is in its fifth home underdog situation during Kragthorpe’s tenure. The Cards are 2-2 ATS previously, winning outright twice against both Kansas St. and USF last season.
Pitt has already been a road favorite twice this year. The Panthers thumped Buffalo 54-27 as 11-point ‘chalk’ in Week 2, but they were unable to duplicate that accomplishment at N.C. St. They are now 5-6 ATS as road favorites on Wannstedt’s watch.
Louisville starting safety Terrence Simien remains “out” after suffering a kidney laceration in the loss at UK. Simien had 10 tackles and one interception in the Cards’ first two games. Starting LB Brandon Heath is “probable” after leaving last week’s game with a sprained ankle.
After missing back-to-back games, Pitt starting MLB Adam Gunn (ankle) is “probable” this week. Gunn, a senior who missed all of 2008 due to an injury, had 59 tackles including six for losses as a starter in 2007. Reserve DE Tyler Tkach is “doubtful” with a foot injury and starting free safety Andrew Taglianetti is done for the season after tearing his ACL.
ESPN will provide the telecast of this Big East showdown at 8:00 p.m. Eastern.
**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**
This week bettors have a second Friday night game to wager on, as BYU is poised to host Utah St. at 9:00 p.m. Eastern on the Mountain West Network. LVSC had the Cougars at minus 27 on the send-out, but they were down to 24 as of Thursday. The total is 65 at most books. Dating back to last year, the Aggies have covered the spread in five consecutive games.
Hawaii QB Greg Alexander sustained a sprained knee in Wednesday’s 27-6 loss at La. Tech. His status for an Oct. 10 home game against Fresno St. is in doubt.
Iowa is 4-0 SU and 3-0 ATS after dropping Penn St. 21-10 as a nine-point underdog in Happy Valley last Saturday. The Hawkeyes are 21-point home ‘chalk’ versus Arkansas St. this week, but they are an abysmal 2-6 ATS in their last eight spots as double-digit favorites. With that said, the Red Wolves are 0-3 ATS as double-digit underdogs since winning 18-14 at Texas A&M in the 2008 season opener.
Since the South Carolina defense made N.C. St.’s Russell Wilson looked lost and confused in Week 1, the sophomore QB has been on fire. Wilson has thrown four TD passes in each of the Wolfpack’s last three games. He has a 12/0 TD-INT ratio this year after posting 17/1 number as a freshman. By my math, that’s a career TD-INT ratio of 29/1. And that’s unreal!
Ohio St. has won 14 in a row against Indiana with the Hoosiers last victory coming in 1987.
My Top Ten:
1-Florida
2-Alabama
3-Texas
4-Virginia Tech
5-Oklahoma
6-Boise St.
7-LSU
8-USC
9-Cincinnati
10-Ohio St.
Hottest Hot Seats:
1-Steve Kragthorpe (Louisville)
2-Dan Hawkins (Colorado)
3-Ron Zook (Illinois)
4-Charlie Weis (Notre Dame)
5-Al Groh (Virginia)
vegasinsider.com
Game of the day: Pittsburgh at Louisville
By Lee Kostroski
Pittsburgh Panthers at Louisville Cardinals (+6.5, 54)
Line Movements
Oddsmakers have Pitt as a 6.5-point road favorite with the total listed at 54.
Will the real Pittsburgh Panthers please stand up?
Pittsburgh is coming off an embarrassing loss to North Carolina State, their first of the season. Pitt led 31-17 late in the third quarter but couldn’t hold the lead and fell 38-31 to the Wolfpack.
NC State had absolutely no problem moving the ball against the Panthers defense. Pitt was out-gained by 230 yards, had 16 less first downs and had a 14-minute deficit in time of possession.
The Panthers are 3-1, but wins against FCS Youngstown State, Buffalo and Navy don’t really say too much about this team. Now they are coming off of a loss and playing as a favorite at Louisville. They are just 1-7 SU in the last eight meetings with the Cards.
In need of a victory
Louisville is 1-2 this season. They defeated FCS Indiana State to kick off the season and then had understandable back-to-back road losses to hated rival Kentucky and then Utah.
There has been chatter of head coach Steve Kragthorpe being on the hot seat and a victory to begin Big East play would greatly help his cause. To win, Kragthorpe will need better play out of his quarterback than the Cards have been getting thus far.
Starter Justin Burke is completing just 51 percent of his passes with three touchdowns and four interceptions this season. Burke will likely have his best opportunity to put up big numbers against the Panthers; Pitt has allowed 281 passing yards per game and eight passing touchdowns in its last three games.
Hit somebody
The Cardinals keep their practices pretty light when it comes to contact. But after a dismal tackling performance against Utah last weekend, head coach Steve Kragthorpe is turning up the intensity for his defense.
While his players aren’t taking each other’s heads off in drills, they have emphasized the importance on finishing tackles without actually finishing the tackle.
“What we do, you've got to get your hat in position, you've got to get your hands in position,” Kragthorpe told the Courier Journal. “You don't actually finish the tackle, but you are making contact. You're not taking guys to the ground, but you're doing everything that the tackle would involve.”
Louisville is last in the conference in tackles for a loss and allowed the Utes offense to rush for 214 yards despite the fact that their star running back, Matt Asiata, left the game with an injury.
Neon Dion
Pitt freshman running back Dion Lewis is turning heads, not just in the Big East, but across the country.
The speedy 5-foot-8 firecracker out of Albany has totaled 493 yards rushing, while catching 66 yards passing for eight touchdowns in just three games. Heading into this short week, the first-year star is itching to get back out on the field and put the loss to North Carolina State behind him.
Lewis is focused on finishing drives against the Cardinals. The Panthers converted just 2-of-10 third-down opportunities versus the Wolfpack and have a third-down completion percentage of 34 percent on the season (15-for-44).
"We've got to get better on third down," Lewis told the Tribune Review. "We have to pay better attention to details. We couldn't get going the way we would like because we were going three-and-out."
Revenge
Last year Louisville turned the ball over four times and lost, 41-7, to the Panthers for the first time since 1990. The Cardinals will be out for revenge as home dogs against the Panthers.
Weather
There is a 90 percent chance of rain in Louisville for Friday, but the rain is expected to be over by game-time with temps in the mid 40’s.
What bettors need to know: Utah State at BYU
By Lee Kostroski
Utah State Aggies at Brigham Young Cougars (-24, 63.5)
Line Movements
BYU comes into the game as a heavy 24-point favorite with the total sitting at 65.
Shootout Potential
Both of these offenses are explosive and both have the potential to put up some huge numbers.
After scoring just 14 points in a win against Oklahoma, BYU has averaged 41 points in its last three games. The Aggies are averaging 489 yards per game and 33 ppg.
The key for the Cougars is stopping Utah State quarterback Diondre Borel.
"He runs the ball very, very well. Guys who are able to do that, they just keep plays alive," BYU d-linemen Jan Jorgensen told the Deseret News. "That's the toughest thing. They can sit back in the pocket, the pressure comes, and they can escape it. They can run around and just wait for receivers to get open.
"That's the hardest part about playing a mobile quarterback - when a play should be dead, they're able to keep it going. It kind of wears down a defense and it makes things frustrating."
BYU’s defense has been spotty. The unit allowed just 265 yards to the Sam Bradford-less Sooners but allowed 54 points and 512 yards in a loss to Florida State. Utah State is allowing 486 YPG and 36 points per game. In their first two road games of the season, the Aggies allowed 519 and 573 yards in losses to Utah and Texas A&M.
The over is a combined 5-0-1 for both teams last three games.
Pinkie problem
BYU top running back Harvey Unga has put his hamstring issues behind him but he will be handling the pigskin with a broken pinkie finger on his right hand against Utah State.
“It doesn’t seem to bother him, and so it is not going to bother us,” BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall told the Salt Lake Tribune.
ATS Trends
Utah State has been a 20+ point underdog twice this season and came away with the ATS win both times. They were 20.5-point underdogs against both Utah and Texas A&M and lost by 18 and 8 points in those games.
BYU was an 18.5-point favorite against Tulane and an 18-point favorite against Colorado State. The Cougars got an easy 51-point victory against Tulane and squeaked away with the ATS win – 19 points – against Colorado State. They are, however, just 1-6 ATS in their last seven games as a 20+ point favorite.
History
BYU is 13-0 SU and 3-0 ATS at home all time against the Aggies. The Cougars were favored by 19, 19.5 and 26 points in the three ATS victories. Last year BYU was a 29-point favorite at Utah State. The team had a 34-0 lead in the 3rd quarter but allowed two late touchdowns, which allowed Utah State to get the cover.
Weather
Chance of rain and snow on Thursday in Provo, Utah. Clear weather is expected for Friday night with temps around 40 degrees.
College football Top 25 cheat sheet: Week 5
By MATT SEVERANCE
A lot of Top 25 teams are off this week, including the top two, but we still get three matchups featuring two ranked teams - including the fourth straight ranked opponent for Miami. All news/injury updates as of Thursday.
Utah State at No. 21 BYU (-24, 65)
Don’t look for an Aggie upset, as they are 1-49 all time against teams ranked in the AP Top 25 and 0-39 on the road. USU has lost its past 13 games played on a day other than Saturday. But the Aggie offense is rolling, having totaled 83 points the past two weeks behind QB Diondre Borel.
Since 1987, these teams have played 12 times on a Friday night and BYU has won them all. The Cougars have has won nine straight in the series overall by an average of 18.8 points. Last year’s game was 34-14.
NCAAF Week 5
Friday's games
Pitt hammered Louisville 41-7 LY, snapping 7-game series skid, but Pitt lost its first game 38-31 last week, giving up 530 yards at NC State. Pitt has given up 65 points in pair of road games. Cardinals lost their last two games, at Kentucky (31-27), Utah (30-14). Panthers are 5-3 in last eight games as road favorite. Louisville is 4-2 as home dog this decade, but 4-8 vs spread in game following a loss.
BYU won its last nine games over Utah State, taking last two by total of 72-14; Cougars gave up 77 points in last two games, allowing 7.5 ypp to Colorado State's freshman QB last week. Mountain West home favorites are 1-4 vs spread in non-league games. WAC road dogs are 8-5. Aggies are 11-5 in last 16 games as road dog, losing away games by 18-8 points this season. BYU is 9-4 in last 13 tries as home favorite.
Pittsburgh (3-1, 2-1 ATS) at Louisville (1-2, 1-1 ATS)
Pitt tries to bounce back from its first loss of the season when it travels to Louisville for a battle with the Cardinals in the Big East opener for both teams.
The Panthers routed their first three opponents by a combined 119-44, then went to North Carolina State on Saturday and squandered a 14-point lead with less than 20 minutes to play, losing 38-31 in a pick-em contest. Pitt got outgained 530-300 in the defeat, including 208-94 on the ground, and lost the time-of-possession battle 37 minutes to 23 minutes.
This is the fifth straight year these squads have met, and after Louisville won the first three clashes by a combined 53 points, Pitt got revenge in a big way last year, rolling 41-7 as a six-point home favorite. The Panthers forced four turnovers (two defensive scores) in the victory, which actually ended Pitt’s seven-game losing streak to the Cardinals that dated to 1990. The Panthers have cashed each of the last two years after going 1-5 ATS in the first six meetings, and the favorite is 3-1 ATS in the last four.
Louisville followed up a competitive 31-27 loss at instate rival Kentucky with a 30-14 blowout defeat at Utah on Saturday, failing to cover as a 14-point road underdog. The Cardinals, who have lost seven consecutive games to Division I-A foes (1-6 ATS), got whipped all over the field by Utah, which had a 416-261 edge in total yards (214-80 rushing) and forced three Louisville turnovers.
Behind QB Bill Stull (65.6 percent completion rate, 746 yards, 8 TDs, 1 INT), Pitt’s offense is putting up 37.5 points and 360 yards (154 rushing) per game. The defense is allowing 20.5 points and 351.8 yards per outing, including 112.5 rushing ypg (2.9 yards per carry).
Long known for an explosive offense, the Cardinals have now scored 21 points or fewer in six of their last eight games, and they’re averaging 23.7 points and just 352.7 total yards (223 passing) per contest. Meanwhile, after holding Division I-AA Indiana State to 10 points and 101 total yards in a season-opening win, the defense has surrendered 31 and 30 points and an average of 381 yards the last two weeks.
Pitt is in the midst of ATS slumps of 5-12 as a favorite, 0-4 against teams with a losing record and 16-35 after a SU defeat, but Dave Wannstedt’s squad is 4-1 ATS in its last five October clashes. Louisville is 5-2 ATS in its last seven as a home ‘dog, but otherwise is on pointspread slides of 1-6 overall, 0-5 in Big East play, 2-5 in Big East home games, 1-5 on Friday, 1-5 as an underdog and 1-5 against winning teams.
The Panthers carry “over” trends of 5-2 on the road, 5-0 as a road chalk, 9-4 in conference play, 5-2 on Friday and 5-2 as a favorite. Similarly, Louisville is on “over” runs of 4-1 overall, 6-2 after a SU loss and 4-0 when playing on grass. However, the under is 3-1 in the last four series meetings in this rivalry.
ATS ADVANTAGE: PITTSBURGH
Utah State (1-2, 2-0 ATS) at (20) BYU (3-1 SU and ATS)
Utah State hits the road for the third time in four games this season, making the short trek to Provo, Utah, for a non-conference clash with the 20th-ranked Cougars.
The Aggies got spread-covers as a 20½-point underdog in season-opening road losses at Utah (35-17) and Texas A&M (38-30), then came home on Saturday and pounded Southern Utah 53-34 in a non-lined game. Going back to the start of the 2003 season, Utah State is 15-57 SU against Division I-A foes and has lost 13 consecutive non-conference games to I-A competition, but the Aggies have covered in seven straight lined contests (6-0 ATS as an underdog).
BYU rebounded from an ugly 54-28 home loss to Florida State with Saturday’s 42-23 victory over Mountain West Conference rival Colorado State, barely cashing as an 18-point home favorite. The Cougars actually got outgained 438-373 by the Rams, and the defense has now given up 950 yards the last two weeks, while QB Max Hall has tossed five interceptions.
The Cougars rolled past Utah State 34-14 last year, but failed to cover as a 29-point road favorite. BYU has won 25 of 28 in this rivalry since 1975, including the last nine in a row. The teams have split the cash over those nine contests at 4-4-1 ATS, with the Aggies going 4-2-1 ATS in the last seven (all as a big underdog). The host is 5-0-1 in the last six meetings.
BYU’s Hall now has as many interceptions (eight) as TD passes, but he’s still completing 67.7 percent of his passes for 1,185 yards. Meanwhile, Utah State’s Diondre Borel has 52.1 completion rate for 771 yards with four TDs and one INT, while adding 111 rushing yards and three scores on the ground.
In addition to its ATS runs of 7-0 overall and 6-0 as a ‘dog, Utah State is on further pointspread rolls of 16-6 overall, 3-0-1 on the road, 11-4 as a road pup, 5-1 against Mountain West opponents and 4-0-1 after a SU win. Meanwhile, BYU in ATS declines of 6-11 overall, 5-8 as a favorite, 1-6 when laying 20 points or more, 1-4 at home, 2-7 after a SU win, 2-5 against Western Athletic Conference opponents, 1-4-1 on Friday and 0-5 in October.
The over is 3-1-1 in Utah State’s last five overall, 3-0-1 in its last four on the road (all as an underdog), 5-1 in BYU’s last six overall and 4-0 in BYU’s last four as a favorite. Conversely, the under is on streaks of 3-0-1 for the Aggies in October, 5-1 for the Cougars in October and 3-1-1 for the Cougars on Friday.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UTAH STATE
CFB Streaks & Notes
By Sportspic
Utah State at BYU
Taken behind the woodshed by FSU (54-28) in their home opener Cougars rebounded Saturday with a 42-23 victory over Colorado State sending backers to the cash window as 18 point home favorites. Friday should prove to be an easy one for Cougars facing a squad they defeated 34-14 last year marking nine consecutive head-head victories (4-4-1 ATS). That said, Mormon Boys pegged as -24.5 point favorites are in dangerous territory. Cougars have been brutal spread-beaters in October dropping the last five (0-5 ATS) against-the-oddsmaker. Cougars are also a cash draining 1-7 ATS last eight laying double digits, 2-5 ATS last seven, 6-13-1 ATS last twenty vs WAC opponents. Aggies on the other hand have been cash stuffing giants last six vs MWC opponents going 5-1 ATS and have grabbed the loot in 6-of-8 on the highway vs the Mountain West Conference
Utah State Aggies vs. #20 BYU Cougars
By Who2BetOn
Both the Utah State Aggies (1-2, 2-1 ATS) and BYU Cougars (3-1, 3-1 ATS) can take one step closer towards securing the “Beehive Boot” when they clash at Lavell Edwards Stadium under the Friday night lights. USU got to build some much needed self confidence in their 53-34 romp of Southern Utah last week, while the Cougars narrowly covered the spread in their Mt. West opener against the Colorado State Rams. BYU has won 19 of the L/20 meetings with Utah State, and enters tonight’s contest winners of nine in a row.
JustBet.com currently has the host Cougars installed as lofty 24-point home favorites with the game ‘total’ set at 64.5 for tonight’s 79th all-time meeting.
Though the Aggies let Southern Utah stay close for awhile, last Saturday’s 53-point assault shows the Aggies program is headed in the right direction. After scoring an average of just 20.6 and 24.0 PPG the L/2 seasons, new Head Coach Gary Anderson has to be tickled pink over the fact that his offense has churned out an average of 33.3 PPG in their first three games. Granted, last week’s game was against a much lesser important, but the offense churned out over 600 yards and pulled off huge play after huge play. Sophomore Robert Turbin was sensational racking up 104 yards and a score on the ground and another 116 yards and 2 TDs on four receptions through the air. The defense still leaves a lot to be desired (35.7 PPG/486.3 YPG) and the team committed way too many penalties (8-80 yards), but the Aggies look to be on their way towards competing in the WAC this season.
BYU picked up a home win and cover last week simply due to their opponent’s mistakes. Colorado State outgained the Cougars 438-373, but committed two costly turnovers and had a punt blocked that allowed BYU to build a 21-0 lead in the 1st quarter. Though CSU fought back the rest of the way, the 21-point hole they got themselves in early was just too much to overcome. QB Max Hall threw for 241 yards and 2 TDs on 18 of 29 throwing, but he tossed a pair of INT’s and has now thrown as many TD passes as interceptions on the year (8/8). He better start ironing out the kinks if the Cougars are to win the Mt. West like many forecasted them to do at the beginning of the year.
BYU will probably enter tonight’s game thinking they can just name the score, but they will soon find out that the Aggies are there to avenge the 38-0 thrashing they absorbed two seasons ago in this venue. USU is 14-8 ATS (2-0 in ’09) the L/22 times it was installed an underdog, and has played to the over 5 of the L/7 times it was installed an underdog of 21.5 or more points. BYU’s just 1-5 ATS its L/6 vs. team with sub .500 records, and 2-5 ATS its L/7 against the WAC.
Tips and Trends
Pittsburgh at Louisville
Pittsburgh (-6.5, O/U 53.5): The Pitt Panthers are prime contenders to win the Big East, but their defense was on the field for 81 snaps during a 38-31 loss at North Carolina State last Saturday. Now the Panthers are traveling on a short week to open conference play against a Louisville team they last beat on the road in 1983. The Panthers have failed to cover the last 13 times they’ve been a road favorite of six or more points. Pittsburgh coach Dave Wannstedt is 2-7 against the spread as a favorite off a defeat. Quarterback Bill Stull has thrown six touchdowns in the last three games without being picked off. The Panthers didn’t lose two games in a row all of last season. Pittsburgh is holding foes to 2.9 yards per rush, but their pass defense has been leaky and the Panthers are averaging 84.5 yards in penalties.
Pittsburgh is 16-35 ATS in their last 51 games following a loss.
The Panthers have failed to cover in 12 of their last 17 games when favored.
Key Injuries - Linebacker Adam Gunn (ankle) is probable.
Safety Andrew Taglianetti (knee) is out.
PROJECTED SCORE: 30
Louisville: The Cardinals were picked seventh in the eight-team Big East preseason poll. They are off consecutive road losses to Kentucky (31-27) and to Utah (30-14). Louisville could manage just 261 yards versus Utah, while yielding four sacks. The Cardinals’ offensive line will need to step up as Pittsburgh is tied for fourth nationally with 16 sacks. Louisville will have a size advantage up front as its offensive line averages 6-feet-4 inches, 302 pounds to Pittsburgh’s defensive line, which averages 6-foot-3, 273 pounds. Sophomore tailback Victor Anderson leads Louisville in rushing and in touchdowns with three. He’s averaging 5.2 yards per carry but was held to a career-low 22 yards on 10 carries in the loss to Utah. The Cardinals have won 55 of their last 70 games at Papa John Stadium. Coach Steve Kragthorpe is 7-3 against the number as a home underdog.
Louisville has failed to cover in 6 of its last seven games.
The Over is 6-1 in the Cardinals’ last seven games following a non-cover.
Key Injuries - None
PROJECTED SCORE: 24 (OVER - Total of the Day)
Utah State at BYU
Utah State: After opening the season with two losses, Utah State got its first win last Saturday and did it in style, 53-34 over Southern Utah. The Aggies piled up 604 yards, their ninth-highest yardage total in team history and most since 2001. Robert Turbin rushed for 104 yards, caught four passes for 116 yards and scored three touchdowns. Quarterback Diondre Borel hit on 15-of-21 passes for 316 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. Scoring hasn’t been a problem lately for Utah State. The Aggies put up 30 points two weeks ago in a 38-30 loss at Texas A&M. Borel has completed 49-of-94 passes for 771 yards and four touchdowns. He’s also rushed for 111 yards and ran for another three touchdowns. Turbin has rushed for 373 yards during the past two weeks and caught nine passes. Utah State has covered 15 of its last 21 games.
The Aggies are 5-0-1 ATS as an underdog.
The visiting team in this series is 0-5-1 ATS.
Key Injuries - None
PROJECTED SCORE: 21(Side of the Day)
BYU (-23.5, O/U 64.5): BYU is trying to regain momentum after beating Colorado State, 42-23, last Saturday in its Mountain West Conference opener after being upset at home two weeks ago by Florida State. The Cougars have defeated Utah State nine times in a row with the average victory margin being 18.8 points. BYU bolted to a 34-0 lead in last year’s game versus Utah eventually winning 34-14. Max Hall had a huge game in that victory going 23-for-37 for 303 yards and two touchdowns. Harvey Unga became BYU’s first 100-yard rusher of the season gaining 113 yards last week. The 20th-ranked Cougars, though, were out-gained 438-373 by Colorado State and had 10 penalties totaling 117 yards. BYU has surrendered 950 yards in its last two games. The Cougars are 5-8 against the spread the past 13 times they’ve been chalk. They are 1-4 against the spread as a home favorite.
BYU has failed to cover in its last 5 October games.
The Over is 29-13-1 in the Cougars’ last 43 games following an ATS cover.
Key Injuries - Defensive lineman Russell Tialavea (knee) is out.
Cornerback Brian Logan (hand) is out.
PROJECTED SCORE: 44