BYU vs NEVADA
When: 11:00 PM  ET, Tuesday, November 6, 2018
Where: Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nevada

TV: 11:00 PM
LINE: -14
PREDICTION: NEVADA , BYU

Oddsmakers currently have the NEVADA listed as -14 point favorites versus the BYU, while the game’s total is sitting at 154.

With four starters back from a team that won its second consecutive outright Mountain West regular season championship and advanced to the Sweet 16, Nevada is garnering plenty of support as a potential Final Four sleeper team this season. The ninth-ranked Wolf Pack open their season on Tuesday night when they host a BYU squad that has its sights set on returning to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2015.

Nevada placed three players on the five-man preseason all-Mountain West team including reigning conference Player of the Year Caleb Martin and twin brother Cody Martin, the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year, along with senior forward Jordan Caroline, who notched Mountain West Tourney MVP honors in 2017. All three tested the NBA waters during the spring before electing to return and will be joined by preseason Mountain West Freshman of the Year Jordan Brown, a 6-11 McDonald’s All-American who choose the Wolf Pack over schools like Arizona, UCLA and California, and 6-11 grad transfer Trey Porter, who averaged 13.2 points and 6.2 rebounds last season at Old Dominion. “We’re a talented team, for sure; we’ve got a lot of guys back, and we’re a veteran team,” Nevada coach Eric Musselman said. “But we have a lot of moving parts, a lot of new pieces that we’ve got to figure out how they’re going to fit.” BYU returns six players with starting experience from a team that finished third in the West Coast Conference and lost to Stanford in the first round of the NIT, including junior forward Yoeli Childs, a WCC Player of the Year candidate.

TV: 11 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network.

ABOUT BYU (2017-18: 24-11): The Cougars, picked to finish third in the WCC coaches’ preseason poll, did get one first place vote — from Gonzaga’s Mark Few —- while Childs, who averaged 17.8 points and 8.6 rebounds last season, was voted to the 10-player preseason all-WCC team. The Cougars lost leading scorer Elijah Bryant (18.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg) who decided to bolt early and is now playing professionally in Israel, but return three other players who started including guard TJ Haws, 6-10 forward Luke Worthington and guard Jahshire Hardnett. Junior guard Nick Emery, who garnered all-WCC honors as a freshman, has been reinstated by the NCAA after missing all of last season due to extra-benefits allegations but must sit out the first nine games of the season.

ABOUT NEVADA (2017-18: 29-8): Caleb Martin, a preseason All-American, ranked third in the Mountain West in scoring with an average of 18.9 points per game and connected on 40.3 percent of his 3-point shots to go along with 5.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals. He moved from his natural small forward spot to point guard when starter Lindsey Drew, who averaged 8.1 points, 4.3 assists and 4.1 rebounds and is expected back later in the season, ruptured his Achilles’ tendon in February. The 6-7, 235-pound Caroline, the son of former NFL star Simeon Rice, gets overshadowed at times by the Martin twins but has scored 1,483 points in his career and finished second in the Mountain West in rebounding as a sophomore with a 9.2 average.

TIP-INS

1. The Wolf Pack are 32-2 in their last 34 home games at Lawlor Events Center.

2. Brown is the first five-star recruit in Nevada program history and just the second McDonald’s All-American to sign with the school.

3. Nevada is 21-0 in nonconference home games under Musselman.

PREDICTION: Nevada 92, BYU 80

The post BYU vs. NEVADA 11/6/2018 Free Pick & CBB Betting Prediction appeared first on IdealCapper.

UTAH ST vs BYU
When: 9:00 PM ET, Friday, October 5, 2018
Where: LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, Utah

TV: 9:00 PM
LINE: -2.5
PREDICTION: BYU , UTAH ST

Oddsmakers currently have the BYU listed as -2.5 point favorites versus the UTAH ST, while the game’s total is sitting at 55.5.

Overall Team Offense

• The Brigham Young Cougars are ranked 125 on offense, averaging 295.0 yards per game. The Cougars are averaging 132.0 yards rushing and 163.0 yards passing so far this season.
• The Utah State Aggies are ranked 31 on offense, averaging 475.0 yards per game. The Aggies are averaging 190.5 yards rushing and 284.5 yards passing so far this season.

Home and Away

• The Brigham Young Cougars are 1-1 at home this season, 0-0 against conference opponents and 6110-6110 against non-conference opponents.
• At home the Cougars are averaging 24.0 scoring, and holding teams to 12.0 points scored on defense.
• The Utah State Aggies are 0-1 while on the road this season, 1-0 against conference opponents and 6110-6110 against non-conference opponents.
• On the road, the Aggies are averaging 31.0 scoring, and holding teams to 38.0 points scored on defense.

The post UTAH ST vs. BYU 10/5/2018 Free Pick & CFB Betting Prediction appeared first on IdealCapper.

BYU vs WISCONSIN
When: 3:30 PM ET, Saturday, September 15, 2018
Where: Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Wisconsin

TV: 3:30 PM
LINE: -22.5
PREDICTION: WISCONSIN , BYU

Oddsmakers currently have the WISCONSIN listed as -22.5 point favorites versus the BYU, while the game’s total is sitting at 45.5.

Sixth-ranked Wisconsin puts its lengthy non-conference home winning streak on the line when it faces BYU on Saturday. The Badgers thumped New Mexico 45-14 last weekend to extend that streak at Camp Randall to 42 in a row, and hope to improve to 3-0 for the third straight season by besting the Cougars for the third consecutive time following victories in 2013 (27-17) and 2017 (40-6).

“I think there’s some good things that we can continue to find and that we’ll continue to build on,” Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst told reporters. “There’s certainly things that we can look at and get better at in all phases.” The Badgers have won 20 consecutive regular-season games dating back to 2016, with 16 victories coming by double digits during that span, and hope to wrap up the non-conference portion of their schedule with another comfortable victory. BYU hopes to bounce back from its first loss of the season after dropping a 21-18 decision to California in Week 2. The Cougars have lost 11 of their last 15 games dating back to last season but look to knock off a Big Ten opponent on the road for the third time in the last four seasons, following wins against Nebraska (33-28) in 2015 and Michigan State (31-14) in 2016.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC. LINE: Wisconsin – 21.5.

ABOUT BYU (1-1): Tanner Mangum was limited to 196 yards on 22-of-41 passing with one touchdown and two interceptions in the loss to California. Running back Squally Canada was held to 49 yards on 16 carries against the Golden Bears after rushing for 98 yards and three touchdowns in the win against Arizona in the season opener. “Not good enough from anybody and it just wasn’t one guy,” BYU coach Kalani Sitake told reporters. “Everyone is being evaluated on this team at every position as our job as coaches is to make sure we have the right guys at the right positions to make plays and he’s no different.”

ABOUT WISCONSIN (2-0): Jonathan Taylor was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week after racking up a career-high 253 rushing yards on 33 carries to go along with three touchdowns in the win over New Mexico. Alex Hornibrook completed 8-of-11 passes for 148 yards and a touchdowns against the Lobos to improve to 22-3 as a starting quarterback while defensive lineman Isaiahh Loudermilk made two tackles in his first game since undergoing knee surgery in the summer. Danny Davis is eligible to return after serving a two-game ban for his role in an alleged sexual assault involving his roommate and fellow wide receiver Quintez Cephus, who is suspended indefinitely.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Wisconsin is 87-10 at home since the start of the 2004 season.

2. Taylor has rushed for over 100 yards in 12 of his 16 career games.

3. BYU hasn’t defeated a ranked opponent since 2015.

PREDICTION: Wisconsin 35, BYU 17

The post BYU vs. WISCONSIN 9/15/2018 Free Pick & CFB Betting Prediction appeared first on IdealCapper.

CALIFORNIA vs BYU
When: 10:15 PM ET, Saturday, September 8, 2018
Where: LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, Utah

TV: 10:15 PM
LINE:
PREDICTION: BYU , CALIFORNIA

Oddsmakers currently have the BYU listed as point favorites versus the CALIFORNIA, while the game’s total is sitting at .

California’s starting quarterback remains a mystery heading into Saturday’s matchup at BYU, which finished 4-9 last season but recorded an impressive 28-23 win at Arizona last week. Cal coach Justin Wilcox rotated three players at quarterback in the Bears’ season-opening 24-17 victory over North Carolina and said all three could see time again Saturday.

Junior Ross Bowers started against the Tar Heels and was 8-for-17 for 56 yards but didn’t play in the second half as Wilcox went with redshirt freshman Chase Garbers and transfer Brandon McIlwain. While the Bears were limited to 119 passing yards, senior running back Patrick Laird picked up where he left off last season and scored both a rushing and receiving touchdown for the first time in his career, finishing with 95 yards rushing on 29 carries. Laird figures to be tested by BYU, which controlled the line of scrimmage against Arizona and held dual-threat quarterback Khalil Tate to 14 yards rushing on eight carries. Squally Canada scored on three short runs while quarterback Tanner Mangum threw for 209 yards and a TD on 18-of-28 passing.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, ESPN2. LINE: BYU -3

ABOUT CAL (1-0): The Bears’ defense was much improved last season and took another step forward last Saturday with four interceptions – including two by safety Jaylinn Hawkins. Outside linebacker Cameron Goode, who started nine games last season before suffering a season-ending injury, returned an interception for a TD against the Tar Heels but left the contest in the fourth quarter with a leg injury and is expected to miss at least one game. Goode is part of a stellar group of linebackers that includes Alex Funches and Evan Weaver, who had 13 solo tackles in the opener.

ABOUT BYU (1-0): Canada finished with 98 yards on 24 carries for the Cougars, whose defense held Arizona to 129 yards on the ground after the Wildcats were No. 3 nationally last season with more than 300 per game. The explosive Arizona offense was held to just two plays of 20 yards or more thanks to a BYU defense led by seniors Butch Pau’u and Corbin Kaufusi, who both recorded seven solo tackles. The Cougars did not allow a sack in the victory and allowed Mangum to connect with 10 different receivers, including tight end Matt Bushman, who had a 24-yard touchdown reception.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The teams are meeting for the first time since Nov. 29, 2014, when BYU won 42-35 in Berkeley.

2. BYU is 7-3 in home openers over the past 10 seasons – including wins over Texas, Washington State and Washington.

3. Cal is 6-0 against non-conference Power Five opponents since 2014.

PREDICTION: BYU 24, Cal 17

The post CALIFORNIA vs. BYU 9/8/2018 Free Pick & CFB Betting Prediction appeared first on IdealCapper.

BYU vs ARIZONA
When: 10:45 PM ET, Saturday, September 1, 2018
Where: Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Arizona

TV: 10:45 PM
LINE: -11.5
PREDICTION: ARIZONA , BYU

Oddsmakers currently have the ARIZONA listed as -11.5 point favorites versus the BYU, while the game’s total is sitting at 60.5.

Kevin Sumlin will make his debut as coach at Arizona when the Wildcats host BYU in the season opener Saturday night. Sumlin was hired in January after spending the past six seasons as coach at Texas A&M, where he posted a 51-26 record.

Sumlin inherits one of the most electrifying quarterbacks in college football as Khalil Tate has already put his name in the hat for Heisman Trophy consideration. Tate threw for 1,591 yards as a sophomore last season and ran for another 1,411 yards, including an FBS quarterback record 327 against Colorado after entering the game for the injured starter in the first quarter. Tate will have some inexperienced blockers in front of him, as the Wildcats lost three offensive linemen to graduation, left tackle Layth Friekh is suspended the first two games and center Nathan Eldridge is struggling with a recurring knee ailment. BYU kicked a 33-yard field goal with four seconds left to beat Arizona 18-16 in the season opener two years ago, and the Cougars return seven starters from a defense that held seven opponents to 21 points or fewer and limited the opposing run game to 3.7 yards per carry last season.

TV: 10:45 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Arizona -11.5

ABOUT BYU (2017: 4-9): Tanner Mangum won a tense competition against freshman Zach Wilson for the starting nod at quarterback in the season opener, and the senior hopes to replicate his 2015 season, when he passed for 3,377 yards and 23 touchdowns. The Cougars will mostly rely on their defense, and they’ve got some big players in the trenches, namely 6-foot-4, 340-pound defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga, who is difficult to move, even with a double team. Anchoring the defensive end positions are brothers Corbin and Devin Kaufusi, who not only have the size to cause problems, but the length.

ABOUT ARIZONA (2017: 7-6): Tate was the leading rusher for the Wildcats last season, but they also return their top running back in sophomore J.J. Taylor, the co-offensive player of the year among Pac-12 freshmen last season. Taylor set out to improve his speed in the offseason and getting around the corners against BYU would help Arizona overcome its size disadvantage in the middle. The player who’s expected to back up Taylor and get meaningful carries as well is sophomore Gary Brightwell, who played slot receiver last season but is shifting back to his natural running back role.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Arizona PK Lucas Havrisik sent 63 of his 93 kickoffs into the end zone last season, fifth-best in the nation.

2. Sumlin has had only one losing season in 10 years as a head coach.

3. BYU is coming off its worst season record-wise since 1970.

PREDICTION: Arizona 35, BYU 24

The post BYU vs. ARIZONA 9/1/2018 Free Pick & CFB Betting Prediction appeared first on IdealCapper.

Brigham Young produced a stellar ending when it defeated Boise State last season but the Cougars don’t want to rely on another late-game prayer.

The No. 14 Broncos would like to avoid another dose of anguish as they attempt to bolster their resume.

Boise State (6-0) aims to remain unbeaten as well as avenge last year’s stunning defeat when it hosts BYU (4-3) in a nonconference game on the blue turf on Thursday night (10:15 p.m. ET on ESPN).

The Broncos were one play from a victory last season when Cougars quarterback Tanner Mangum — who is from the Boise suburb of Eagle, Idaho — threw a 35-yard, fourth-down ‘Hail Mary’ pass to Mitchell Juergens to give BYU a four-point lead with 45 seconds left.

Free safety Kai Nacua added a 50-yard interception return to punctuate the Cougars’ unlikely 35-24 victory.

The comeback hasn’t been forgotten — on either side — and the BYU players are well aware the welcome mats won’t be rolled out in Boise.

“Playing in Boise will be kind of a hostile environment, but I’m excited to go there and play,” sophomore linebacker Francis Bernard said.

The Cougars arrive with a three-game winning streak that includes back-to-back victories over Michigan State and Mississippi State. BYU also provides a much-needed challenge for the Broncos, who are the second-highest ranked team from a non-power conference behind No. 11 Houston.

Boise State defeated Pac-12 programs Washington State and Oregon State earlier this season. And a win over BYU would certainly increase the school’s chances of landing a Cotton Bowl bid as the top team from a non-power league.

The Broncos realize the Cougars might be the best team left on their schedule. Boise State is 4-2 in the previous six meetings between the schools.

“I think there is a rivalry there,” senior receiver Thomas Sperbeck said. “We’re definitely looking forward to it, especially on a short week. It will be a great challenge for our team.”

Thursday could prove to a memorable night for Sperbeck, who has 38 receptions (six for touchdowns) while compiling a Mountain West-leading 701 receiving yards. He has 3,030 career yards, which ranks third in Boise State history behind Titus Young (3,063 from 2007-10) and Matt Miller (3,049 from 2011-14).

Broncos running back Jeremy McNichols is coming off a momentous occasion. The junior rushed for a career-best 217 yards — his second 200-yard outing of the season — during Saturday’s 28-23 victory over Colorado State.

McNichols’ 40-carry night was highlighted by an 80-yard scoring run — the third of at least that length in his college career. He has rushed for 775 rushing yards this season and has caught 20 passes for 263 yards.

BYU also features a stellar running back in senior Jamaal Williams, who became the school’s all-time leading rusher during Friday’s 28-21 double-overtime victory over Mississippi State.

Williams (3,468 yards) surpassed Harvey Unga (3,455 from 2006-09). He has rushed for 942 yards — second-most nationally — and 10 touchdowns this season.

Williams complements senior quarterback Taysom Hill, who has passed for 1,420 yards and nine touchdowns while adding 324 yards and four scores on the ground.

Hill grew up in the Eastern Idaho town of Pocatello but doesn’t find it to be a special occasion to play in Boise, located in the southwestern part of the state.

“Not really,” Hill said. “It’s Boise State and I grew up watching them, but the Treasure Valley is further away than Provo is to me and Pocatello. It’s fun to go back and play in Idaho against a good program, but every week I am going to prepare the best I can. So in terms of preparation, it’s all the same.”

The Cougars are receiving solid play on the defensive side from Nacua. The senior is tied for the national lead with five interceptions and has 13 in his career.

Bernard rolled up a career-high 16 tackles against Mississippi State to raise his season count to 48. Sophomore middle linebacker Butch Pau’u and junior outside linebacker Fred Warner share the team lead of 51.

BYU will try to slow down Broncos quarterback Brett Rypien, who leads the Mountain West with 1,622 yards and 12 touchdown passes.

Boise State senior defensive end Sam McCaskill leads the Mountain West with 9 1/2 tackles for loss. He is second on the Broncos with five sacks behind sophomore nose tackle David Moa (5 1/2 sacks).

Boise State allowed 20 fourth-quarter points before hanging on against Colorado State but coach Bryan Harsin remains unconcerned.

BYU:
Team record: 4-3 SU,5-2 ATS
Current Streak: won 3 straight games.
Brigham Young is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
Brigham Young is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Brigham Young’s last 7 games

Boise State:
Team record: 6-0 SU,3-3 ATS
Current Streak: won 6 straight games.
Boise State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boise State’s last 6 games
Boise State is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games at home

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