BYU at Boise State College Football Expert Picks

The BYU Cougars and Boise State Broncos will renew their rivalry in a Week 8 matchup that I believe is offering college football betting lines everywhere a ton of value. Now, let’s find out why!

Here’s a Closer Look At The  BYU Cougars at Boise State Broncos College Football Expert Picks

When: Thursday, October 20 Where: Albertsons Stadium, Boise, ID NCAAF Odds: Boise State -7  

Bet The BYU Cougars at +7 Because…

BYU Cougars returns seven starters on offense and eight on the defensive side of the ball. BYU has a pleasant problem at quarterback after freshman Tanner Mangum put himself on the national map by throwing for 3,377 yards and 23 touchdowns and leading the Broncos to thrilling wins over Nebraska and Boise State with last-minute touchdown passes in his first two after starts no less. Now, with former starter Taysom Hill returning for another season, Magnum will have to fight to keep his job. BYU running back Jamaal Williams is back after rushing for 1,233 yards in 12 games in his last full season in 2013, but the Cougars are inexperienced at the wide receiver position after losing starters Mitch Mathews and Devon Blackmon. Defensively, BYU is switching to a 4-3 scheme in 2016, but there are question marks at all three levels of the defense.

Bet The Boise State Broncos at -7 Because…

The Broncos have nine returning starters on offense but just five on defense. Still, they are playing at home and looking for revenge after falling to BYU 35-34 as a 2-point road favorite a year ago. The Broncos return a quartet of All-Conference players in quarterback Brett Rypien, running back Jeremy McNichols, wide receiver Thomas Sprebeck and tight end Jake Roh. The Broncos return their offensive star power in sophomore quarterback Brett Rypien, junior tailback Jeremy McNichols and senior wide receiver Thomas Sprebeck but lack proven depth. They also will have a new voice calling the plays — the fifth change in six years. Third-year coach Bryan Harsin, who was the offensive coordinator from 2006-10, will call the plays with help from new co-offensive coordinators Zak Hill (formerly of Eastern Washington) and Scott Huff, who also coaches the line. Rypien threw 20 touchdown passes in 11 games and averaged 304.8 passing yards per game despite battling inconsistency at times. The Broncos will look to get the ball to McNichols early and often after he totaled 1,337 rushing yards, 460 receiving yards and 26 total touchdowns. Sprebeck — the Fiesta Bowl Offensive MVP in 2014 —will look to improve on his 88 catches for 1,412 yards and eight touchdowns last season. Defensively, BYU needs to rebuild the defensive line as they return just one player with any significant experience.

Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction

While I believe Boise State will get the win at home in this contest, I don’t see them beating BYU by the eight points it will take to cover the NCAAF betting line in this affair. While these rivals have split the last four meetings evenly, BYU has gone 3-1 ATS over the span and 4-1 ATS over their last five meetings. The Cougars have too many explosive players to lose this one by nearly double digits.

My Pick: Boise State 31 BYU 28