For the first time all season, this week’s College Football Picks Spotlight Game won’t be played on Saturday. That’s no slight to the Week 10 Saturday slate by any means, with the return of the Pac-12 and the Cocktail Party set to headline a loaded day of football. But with a pair of unbeaten ranked teams set to do battle on Friday night in primetime, we head to the capital of the Gem State for this week’s spotlight game. The two teams also just so happen to be fierce nonconference rivals, facing off every season since 2012. More than bragging rights are at stake this year when the 9th-ranked BYU Cougars take on the 21st-ranked Boise State Broncos on the blue turf Friday night.
BYU vs Boise State College Football Picks Spotlight Game
BYU Cougars (7-0, 2-0 Away) vs. Boise State Broncos (2-0, 1-0 Home)
Date: Friday, Nov. 6, 2020
Time: 9:45 p.m. EST
Venue: Albertsons Stadium – Boise, ID
Coverage: FS1
Attendance: About 1,100 fans will be allowed to attend.
BYU vs Boise State College Football Odds
Odds courtesy of MyBookie Sportsbook
Opening Lines (Las Vegas Consensus): Boise State -1; O/U 59.5
Moneyline: BYU: (-145) | BSU: (+125)
Spread: BYU: -3.5 (-105) | BSU: +3.5 (-115)
Total: 61 – Over: (-110) | Under: (-110)
BYU vs Boise State College Football Picks
There’s been plenty of sharp betting action on the road team in this week’s College Football Picks Spotlight Game. After opening as narrow 1-point underdogs, BYU has taken enough money to move the line all the way through the key number of 3. Now laying 3.5 on the road, it’s clear that most smart College Football minds expect the Cougars to pick up what would be a massive win as they try to keep their undefeated season and New Year’s Six hopes alive. The total has also seen some betting action in favor of the Over. An opening line of 59.5 has been bet up to 61 at MyBookie Sportsbook.
BYU Cougars Overview
At 7-0, BYU is off to its best start since 2001. Unfortunately, the Cougars’ status in the eyes of many College Football experts and bettors is hampered by the fact that their wins thus far have come against weaker opponents. It’s hard to blame BYU for that, given the scheduling nightmare that ensued thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. As an FBS Independent, the Cougars have essentially been playing anyone available on a given week. The delayed starts of the Big Ten, Pac-12, and Mountain West Conferences were particularly troublesome for BYU. Eight of the team’s twelve total games on the original 2020 schedule were slated to come against opponents from one of those leagues. With just two games scheduled for the next five weeks after Friday’s showdown, BYU may still add an additional opponent.
The good news for the Cougars is that a win in this week’s College Football Picks Spotlight Game would greatly aid their case for a New Year’s Six bowl bid. Quarterback Zach Wilson leads an offense that is averaging 44.4 points per game on the season. Despite a lower-than-usual completion percentage, the junior threw for 244 yards and 3 scores in last week’s blowout win over Western Kentucky. Wideouts Gunner Romney and Dax Milne have proven to be Wilson’s top targets this season. The pair have combined for over 1,200 yards receiving and 8 touchdowns on the season.
Undoubtedly, Kalani Sitake’s team will look to run the football and win in the trenches on Friday night. This approach will be just as much about keeping the ball away from Boise State’s offense as it will wearing down the Broncos defense. Tyler Allgeier has led the backfield this season with four 90+-yard games and an average of 6.5 yards per carry. Sione Finau is also averaging over 6 yards per clip in limited action since returning from injury. Along with the versatile Lopini Katoa, he rounds out a trio of backs capable of creating problems for the Broncos.
Defensively, the Cougars have only allowed more than 20 points in a game once all season. It’s safe to say that Boise State will provide the biggest test that BYU has had to contend with in this week’s College Football Picks Spotlight Game.
Boise State Broncos Overview
It took a while for their season to get started, but Boise State has picked up right where they left off last season as they attempt to defend their 2019 Mountain West title. The Broncos hung 40+ on both Utah State and Air Force in each of their first two contests. BYU’s defense will provide a sturdy test, but it’s hard to bet against this BSU offense right now.
Not only did Boise State score 49 points on Air Force last week, but they did it without starting quarterback Hank Bachmeier. Why exactly the sophomore missed last week’s game was never clarified. There is heavy speculation that it might have been due to COVID-19, as the Broncos acknowledged that one player missed the game because of the virus. Head coach Bryan Harsin has avoided the topic of Bachmeier’s status for Friday night but perhaps it doesn’t even matter. USC transfer Jack sears was brilliant against the Falcons, finishing with 280 yards passing and 3 touchdowns.
Explosive BSU wideouts CT Thomas and Khalil Shakir will be tough covers for BYU’s secondary to handle no matter who is under center in this College Football Picks Spotlight Game. Top running back George Holani was injured early in last week’s game, but Andrew Van Buren stepped in and ran for 70 yards and 2 scores in his absence. That performance, combined with a strong Broncos’ offensive line, would seem to suggest that either back is capable of carrying the load Friday night.
Senior cornerback Avery Williams is one of the leaders for Boise State defensively. The unit will face the tall task of slowing down a BYU offense that has gotten off to fast starts frequently this season. The Cougars rank 9th in the country in first half points per game at 25.9.
BYU vs Boise State Betting Trends
- BYU 2020 Betting Trends: 6-1 ATS; 3-4 to the Over
- Boise State 2020 Betting Trends: 2-0 ATS; 2-0 to the Over
- BYU is 7-2 ATS in their last nine head-to-head games against Boise State.
- Boise State is 2-8 ATS in their last ten games at home when revenging a loss.
- The Under has gone 10-0 in Boise State’s last ten games against an opponent with an active winning streak of 3 games or more.
BYU vs Boise State Statistics
- BYU has averaged 44.4 points per game (PPG) this season (No. 1 among FBS Independents)
- BYU has surrendered 13.4 PPG this season (No. 2 among FBS Independents)
- Boise State has averaged 45.5 PPG this season (No. 1 in the MW)
- Boise State has surrendered 21.5 PPG this season (No. 3 in the MW)
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