Saturday college football and we will see the Virginia Cavaliers take on the BYU Cougars at Lavell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah. The game has a start time of 3:30 pm (Eastern) and will be televised on ESPN. Current Vegas odds have the Cougars listed as 14.5 point favorites, while the total is set at 49.
Analysis: The Virginia Cavaliers have been a pleasant surprise this year as they are 2-1 and come off the home upset of Louisville. The Cavs started the year by putting a huge scare in a 28-20 loss to the UCLA Bruins. Then they went on to beat Richmond 45-13. Last week they had a 20-7 lead heading to the 4th quarter before the Cardinals stormed back to take a 21-20 lead with 6:59 left in the game. The Cavs then drove down to the 25 and ended up settling for a 42 yard FG which gave them the 23-21 lead with 3:42 left in the game. That was all the scoring in the game. The Cavs were able to put up just 285 yards of offense, but still it was their defense that really won the game for them as they held the Cardinals to just 282 yards and just 29% on 4th down, while also getting 4 TOs in the game. The Cavs are just 109th in total offense this year (333.7 ypg) and 77th in scoring (29.3 ppg), while their defense has been solid ranking 50th in total defense (354 ypg), 16th vs the run (84.7 ypg) and 45th in points allowed (20.7 ppg).
The BYU Cougars come in at 3-0 on the year, with blowout road wins over UConn and Texas, plus an 8 point home win over Houston on their resumes thus far. The Cougars are off a Thursday game vs Houston, so they have had a couple extra days to prep for this one. In the game vs Houston, BYU put up 523 yards overall, including 323 yards on the ground. Taysom Hill threw for 200 yards and ran for another 160 in the game. He is having a solid year so far, hitting 69.1% of his passes for 689 yards and 4 TDs, while also rushing for 356 yards and another 6 TDs. Jamaal Williams missed the first game due to suspension, but has rushed for 228 yards and 2 RDs in his two games back. Overall the Cougars are ranked 41st in total offense (489.7 ypg) and 48th in scoring (36.3 ppg). The defense for the Cougars has been very stout this year as they come in ranked 24th in yards allowed (312.7 ypg), 3rd vs the run (54.3 ypg) and 14th in points allowed (14 ppg).
Pick: Can only look to the Cougars in this one as they seek revenge for a weathered down loss to the Cavaliers at Virginia last year. Now the Cavs have to travel across the country and play in the high altitude of Provo, Utah and I feel that will really take a toll on this defense in the second half, especially with the BYU running game wearing them down through out. The Cavs really rely on that defense, but if they can’t stop BYU then they have no shot at keeping it close, because their offense just isn’t strong enough to lend a helping hand here. I look for BYU to win this one by 17+.
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