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BYU vs. Ole Miss Betting | Week 1 Free Pick

On Saturday September 3rd, 2011 its the Week 1 Brigham Young Cougars vs. Mississippi Rebels matchup. Odds currently have the Cougars listed as 3-point favorites, the game’s total has been posted at 55.5. Here is a betting preview and matchup handicapping tips…

CFB Football Previews – BYU Cougars vs Mississippi Rebels

And so life as an Independent begins. Brigham Young believes it can be a force in 2011 after it won five of its final six games last season, scoring 40 or more points four times and allowing 10 points or fewer three times over that span.

NCAAF Week 1: BYU vs Mississippi Preview & Pick
Date: Saturday, September 3, 2011
Venue: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, Mississippi
Broadcast: ESPN (HD)/ESPN3
Brigham Young Cougars at Mississippi Rebels Betting Lines from BetOnline.com
Money Line: BYU -150, Mississippi +130
Spread: BYU -3
Over/Under: 55.5
Click here for the ATS Gambling Report for this game!

BYU Cougars (0-0)

The key to the Cougars’ late-season charge was coach Bronco Mendenhall handing the starting quarterback reins over the Jake Heaps after Riley Nelson got hurt. Heaps took the job by the throat and never looked back. During the 5-1 run, he threw 14 touchdown passes and was picked off only twice.

Considering how great their offensive line looks, led by Matt Reynolds, the Cougars believe they can be an offensive juggernaut and overcome a tough schedule that includes opening the year with trips to Mississippi and Texas.

Ole Miss Rebels (0-0)

Ole Miss flopped in the vicious SEC last season, winning just four games, but the Rebels believe the window is open for them to improve this season.

The offense is in reasonable shape. Ole Miss averaged more than 30 points per game last season and will once again feature a powerhouse rushing offense, which ranked 18th in the country with 208.1 yards per game last season. Brandon Bolden, who topped 1,300 total yards and tallied 17 total touchdowns in 2010, will run behind a massive line.

With Randall Mackey’s arrest and subsequent suspension for the Rebels’ opener, it appears West Virginia transfer Barry Brunetti will get the start under center for Ole Miss. He’s a dual-threat quarterback who will possibly duplicate the skills Jeremiah Masoli brought to the table last year. [soliloquy id=”82219″]

Betting Trends:

Under is 9-4 in BYU last 13 games overall.
Under is 9-4 in BYU last 13 non-conference games.
Over is 8-2 in MISS last 10 non-conference games.
MISS are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 home games.

The pick:

Note how I haven’t mentioned Mississippi’s defense yet? I didn’t want to put a damper on what should be a fun game. But the truth is that Ole Miss was quite bad last season, allowing 400-plus yards and 35-plus points per game. Whether they opt to use Heaps or running back J.J. Di Luigi as their primary weapon, I believe the Cougars can top 30 points on the weekend.

The Rebels have plenty to offer on offense but they face an above-average defense and we don’t fully know what to expect from Brunetti this early. Even though BYU opens on the road, I believe it can get the win. The Cougars are 4-0 ATS over their last four games as a favorite. Meanwhile, Ole Miss is just 2-6 ATS over its last eight home games.

Though eight of Mississippi’s last 10 non-conference games have gone over the total, its offense may start slowly this season, so I see the game falling UNDER the total.

BYU vs Mississippi prediction: BYU 30, Mississippi 21

Money Line: BYU -150
Spread: BYU -3
Over/Under: UNDER 55.5

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By Shea Matthews

Shea Matthews the Senior Writer at CP. Lives and breathes sports. He made the transition from athlete to sports journalist at a young age, writing in TV & national papers. Shea applies his knowledge to sports betting + handicapping daily, and shares winning picks with the world.