NCAA online betting action for Friday features an inter-conference/intra-state rivalry matchup of BYU at Utah State on ESPN with kickoff set for 8:05 PM Eastern.The BYU Cougars opened at SBG as 6 point favorites in college football betting as they look to jumpstart their season after 3 consecutive losses that put their 5 year bowl streak in serious jeopardy.
A Tale of Two Quarterbacks
BYU began the season with a two quarterback platoon as senior Riley Nelson and freshman Jake Heaps alternated. Nelson went down to injury in week 2 and Heaps has been the full time starter in the last 2 games for the Cougars. He has struggled with his on the job training by completing just 51% of his passes for 489 yards and a 1/1 touchdown to interception ratio. Heaps has not made for a good down the field threat as he is averaging just 4.7 yards per passing attempt. JJ Di Luigi has tried to help relieve the pressure on the new starting quarterback as he has rushed for 332 yards and 6.3 yards per carry average.
Worst Start for Bronco
This is far and away the worst ever start for 6th year head coach Bronco Mendenhall as graduation losses have had more of an adverse affect than expected. BYU is 1-3 both straight up and against the spread as they finish out their final college football betting season in the Mountain West Conference before going independent next year. The Cougars have been awful on both sides of the line as they rank 116th in the country for scoring and 102 in total defense, a performance far below the normal Mendenhall standards.
Aggies Plow Behind
Utah State has a NCAA online betting record of 1-3 both straight up and against the spread and is coming off a 41-7 blowout loss at San Diego State as 9.5 point road dogs. There was hope that Utah State might have a breakout year after their great opening day performance at Oklahoma in which they nearly pulled off the upset in a 31-24 loss as 34 point road dogs. Defense remains a constant problem for the Aggies as they rank 102nd for points allowed.
Dangerous Dogs
BYU has paid out in just 2 out of their last 8 meetings with Utah State as the Aggies got the money in the last 2 matchups.