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I will have some previews and picks of bowl games right here at Bettor's Chat.
Las Vegas Bowl: BYU vs Utah
The BYU Cougars enter this game having posted a 9-3 record on the year. They should have plenty of motivation for this game as it will be Bronco Medenhall’s last game as coach of the Cougars, plus BYU is a little upset that Utah discontinued their annual meeting. Not sure why BYU would be upset as they have lost the last four meetings with the Utes. After getting stomped by Michigan 31-0, BYU has been hot down the stretch as they have won seven of their final eight games, with their lone loss being by just four points at Missouri. The Cougars started the year with Taysom HILL at QB. He was more of a runner than a passes and was very good at it. The Cougars are normally more of a rushing team, but they had to change that up with Tanner Magnum at QB and he had a solid year in leading the Cougs to the 21st ranked passing offense in the nation, while their ground attack slipped to 109th in the nation. BYU also is 35th in the nation in scoring, putting up 34.2 ppg. Defensively they have been solid as hey rank 36th in yards allowed and 31st in points allowed, giving up just 21.8 ppg.
The Utah Utes come in at 9-3 on the year, which includes going 6-3 in a very strong Pac-12. Utah had a chance to play in the Pac-12 Title game but an OT loss to Arizona on the road took that away from them They did suffer another blow in the game as they lost RB Devontae Booker, who ran for 1200 yards and 11 TDs this year. He will miss this game as well. Without Booker it clearly give the Cougars the edge on offense as the Utes were 44th in the nation in rushing, compared to 100th in passing. His loss is a big blow to this team, but offense hasn’t really been their primary reasons for winning games. That distinction goes to their defense that comes in ranked 41st overall, 6th vs the run and they also allow just 21.8 ppg, which is 32nd in the nation. They do struggle vs the pass, where they rank 97th in the nation, but they have faced some of the better passing offenses in the land.
I look for the Cougars to win this game. Utah is a running team and the loss of Booker hurts them and they are facing a very solid team. Utah is a solid defensive squad, but they are 97th vs the pass and that should make it tough on them as they are facing a very good passing team. Now let’s look at motivation. The Cougars have it with longtime coach Bronco Medenhall saying goodbye, plus the added motivation of Utah cancelling the series. For Utah I don’t see a ton of motivation here. They lost their chance at the Pac-10 title game and have now been relegated to a much lesser bowl. I see many more edges for the Cougars in this one.
Play BYU +2.5 over Utah
GLA
Las Vegas Bowl: BYU vs Utah
The BYU Cougars enter this game having posted a 9-3 record on the year. They should have plenty of motivation for this game as it will be Bronco Medenhall’s last game as coach of the Cougars, plus BYU is a little upset that Utah discontinued their annual meeting. Not sure why BYU would be upset as they have lost the last four meetings with the Utes. After getting stomped by Michigan 31-0, BYU has been hot down the stretch as they have won seven of their final eight games, with their lone loss being by just four points at Missouri. The Cougars started the year with Taysom HILL at QB. He was more of a runner than a passes and was very good at it. The Cougars are normally more of a rushing team, but they had to change that up with Tanner Magnum at QB and he had a solid year in leading the Cougs to the 21st ranked passing offense in the nation, while their ground attack slipped to 109th in the nation. BYU also is 35th in the nation in scoring, putting up 34.2 ppg. Defensively they have been solid as hey rank 36th in yards allowed and 31st in points allowed, giving up just 21.8 ppg.
The Utah Utes come in at 9-3 on the year, which includes going 6-3 in a very strong Pac-12. Utah had a chance to play in the Pac-12 Title game but an OT loss to Arizona on the road took that away from them They did suffer another blow in the game as they lost RB Devontae Booker, who ran for 1200 yards and 11 TDs this year. He will miss this game as well. Without Booker it clearly give the Cougars the edge on offense as the Utes were 44th in the nation in rushing, compared to 100th in passing. His loss is a big blow to this team, but offense hasn’t really been their primary reasons for winning games. That distinction goes to their defense that comes in ranked 41st overall, 6th vs the run and they also allow just 21.8 ppg, which is 32nd in the nation. They do struggle vs the pass, where they rank 97th in the nation, but they have faced some of the better passing offenses in the land.
I look for the Cougars to win this game. Utah is a running team and the loss of Booker hurts them and they are facing a very solid team. Utah is a solid defensive squad, but they are 97th vs the pass and that should make it tough on them as they are facing a very good passing team. Now let’s look at motivation. The Cougars have it with longtime coach Bronco Medenhall saying goodbye, plus the added motivation of Utah cancelling the series. For Utah I don’t see a ton of motivation here. They lost their chance at the Pac-10 title game and have now been relegated to a much lesser bowl. I see many more edges for the Cougars in this one.
Play BYU +2.5 over Utah
GLA
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