Under the direction of Bronco Mendenhall, BYU rattled off four consecutive double digit win seasons between 2006 and 2009, but the Cougars have experienced some difficulty maintaining that level of success over the past three years. While BYU has not suffered through a losing season since Mendenhall took over in 2005, it is a solid, but more modest, 25-14 in its last 39 games. With another daunting schedule in the offing, the Cougars could be staring at another seven or eight win season. A preview of the latest College Football Predictions from offshore bookmaker 5Dimes has BYU in that range as Mendenhall's troops are currently favored, at -120 odds ($120 wins $100), to win Over 7.5 games.
The Cougars schedule is filled with land mines, but they have shown an ability to compete at a high level even under difficult circumstances. BYU lost by one point at Boise State last season and it took Notre Dame to the wire in South Bend, falling 14-17 to the Irish. Mistakes were a problem too, though, as turnovers led to losses in road meetings with Utah and San Jose State.
For BYU to reach nine or more wins this year it must eliminate the error filled setbacks while also finding a way to not just challenge but defeat one or two of the four big boys (Texas, Boise State, Wisconsin, Notre Dame) on its schedule.
2013 BYU Cougars College Football Predictions:
BYU Odds to win the 2014 BCS National Championship +55000
BYU Regular Season Wins: Over 7.5 (-120), Under 7.5 (-110)
BYU Cougars 2013 Schedule:
8/31 at Virginia
9/7 Texas
9/21 Utah
9/27 Middle Tennessee
10/4 at Utah State
10/12 Georgia Tech
10/19 at Houston
10/25 Boise State
11/9 at Wisconsin
11/16 Idaho State
11/23 at Notre Dame
11/30 at Nevada
College Football Free Picks: Mississippi State vs Oklahoma State
What college football bettors need to know about betting Mississippi State vs Oklahoma State on Saturday (8/31/13) - a free pick from Pregame.com's Steve Fezzik, with Bryan Leonard.
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