Week 1: Cougars vs Huskies Predictions
Its opening weekend for college football and betting action sees the BYU Cougars going across country to take on Connecticut Huskies on Friday August 29 at Retschler Stadium. Cappers Picks provides free college football handicapping tips all season long. The Cougars are always a bit mysterious holding out as one of few independents.
College Football Odds
BYU Cougars vs. Connecticut Huskies
Friday August 29
7:30PM
Rentschler Field – East Hartford, CT
PAC 12 Network
College Football Betting Lines: BYU -16
College Football Betting Total: 50.5
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BYU
The Cougars are always a bit mysterious holding out as one of few independents. Last year was a successful season overall with an 8-5 record and some nice wins. They always play a challenging schedule and that will be the case again this season, though perhaps not this week.
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They have a lot to replace on both sides of the ball but this team should be able to get off to a good start against Connecticut.
Hopefully they are not looking ahead to a trip to Austin and the Longhorns.
The most exciting thing about BYU is the ground game featuring Taysom Hill, maybe the best running quarterback in college football now that Braxton Miller is hurt, and returning RB Jamaal Williams. This team was 10th in rushing last season and with those two and 3 starting linemen returning they can improve on that total.
Connecticut will know what is coming but that doesn’t mean they can stop it.
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Connecticut
The Huskies are into rebuilding mode and started with new coach Bob Diaco, formerly of Notre Dame. No matter what it was going to be a challenging first season but things did not get any easier with leading returning rusher Lyle McCoombs leaving the team.
This team is going to really struggle to move the ball this season and it will test all of Diaco’s chops. The one fortunate thing is the AAC has some gimmes in it so this program won’t be all that embarrassing as they try and build back up.
The best way for the Huskies to win this season is to improve on defense.
They are returning 9 starters on that side of the ball and that group will be tested from the get go. The Huskies do have some size in their defensive front and it is going to be tested by what is a very physical BYU team.
Connecticut is unlikely to win because they are going to struggle to score, but heir defense might keep it close.
This one is all going to hinge on that Husky defense. If Diaco has them fired up and can get them to play inspired football this one could be a low scoring affair but I think that eventually Hill is going to break one and this Husky team is definitely not built to come back.
NCAA football handicapping Trends
- Under is 14-2-1 in BYU last 17 Fri. games.
- BYU are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games in August.
- BYU are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 Fri. games.
NCAA Football Week 1 Spread Prediction
This one is likely to be decided by halftime unless Diaco goes all out and the Huskies get some nervous turnovers or special teams.
Total prediction: Under
Spread prediction: BYU -16
4* NCAAF Score prediction: BYU 35 – Connecticut 10
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