BYU Cougars vs. Texas Longhorns
Saturday, 9/6/14, 7:30 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Texas -4.5
Current Betting Line: Texas -1
Opening Total: 51
Current Total: 47
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
BYU is coming off an impressive 35-10 victory over the Connecticut Huskies as 15.5-point road favorites last week, as it won the statistical battle by 158 yards, while going UNDER the betting total for the sixth time in the last seven contests dating back to last year. The Cougars have recorded 16 wins against Big 12 Conference opponents, which is important to consider when making your Week 2 college football picks, with the last one coming at home in 2013 against Texas. BYU is 3-4 SU and 5-2 ATS as underdogs the last two-plus seasons.
The Cougars are led offensively by the play of junior quarterback Taysom Hill, who scored a career-high five touchdowns versus UConn, while he completed 28 of 36 passes for 308 yards. BYU has compiled an 83-34 record during the Bronco Mendenhall era—ranking as the 12th most wins in the country over that period of time. Junior running back Jamaal Williams is expected back for this affair, as he was serving a suspension last week. He’s carried the ball 383 times in his career and never lost a fumble.
Texas picked up a convincing 38-7 win over North Texas in Charlie Strong’s debut on the sidelines, which can’t be ignored when looking over the college football odds page, as he welcomed back starters at 12 positions. The Longhorns defense forced the Mean Green into four interceptions—their most since the 2009 Oklahoma State game. Senior Malcolm Brown and junior Johnathan Gray form one of the most talented running back duos in the country, with each player rushing for more than 750 yards last season. Texas is 14-4 SU and 8-9 ATS as favorites the last two-plus seasons.
The Longhorns have some major question marks on the offensive line, as they were already starting anew without three starters from a year ago, while they lost center Dominic Espinosa indefinitely after suffering a fractured ankle in the opener. Texas will need to win this game on the defensive end, which is possible due to Strong’s stop units in Louisville ranking in the top 25 in total defense in each of his four campaigns.
Sports bettors will likely back the Cougars due to their 6-1 ATS mark versus the Big 12 in their last seven opportunities.
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