Free NCAA Football Prediction: Cougars vs. Flames Odds
Looking for BYU Cougars vs. Liberty Flames free picks? College football betting sees the Cougars taking on the Flames on Saturday, October 22nd at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, VA. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NCAA football season long so stay tuned for more FREE college football game Week 8 predictions like this BYU-LIB free pick.
College Football Handicapping Analysis: Week 8
(4-3) BYU Cougars vs. Liberty Flames (6-1)
Date: Saturday, October 22nd, 2022
Time: 3:30 pm EST
Venue: Williams Stadium, Lynchburg, VA
NCAA Football ATS Spread Odds: BYU -7 | LIB +7 (Bet Now!)
NCAA Football Moneyline Odds: Cougars -102 | Flames -118
NCAA Betting Total Odds: O/U 48.5
We’ll receive another matchup of Christian Independent schools, when the BYU Cougars and Liberty Flames face off at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg. BYU will open as the two-point road favorites here at home, with the total opening at 48.
HISTORY: BYU and Liberty met once in Provo back in 2019, with the Cougars winning, 31-24.
BYU Cougars
BYU’s strength of schedule has won the battle so far this season. A season opening win over USF was followed by a home victory over number-nine ranked, and things looked really good for Kalani Sitake’s squad. The Cougars would pick up their first loss after a trip to Oregon, but they responded by defeating longtime foes Wyoming and Utah State.
At 4-1, BYU headed into possibly their biggest game of the season with prominent Independent and Christian school Notre Dame needing a win to keep their CFB Playoff hopes alive, but they failed. The hangover from that loss was on full display last weekend when they faced a SEC with their backs against the wall.
In Week 5, BYU loss to Arkansas at home, 52-35, failing to cover for the fifth weekend in a row.
BYU scores 32.4 points per game, while allowing 30.3 ppg.
Jaren Hall kept BYU afloat last weekend, but the Razorbacks proved to be just too much in the fourth quarter. The junior quarterback passed for a season-high 356 yards and three scores in the loss to the Hogs, and he needs a bounce back effort here in Lynchburg to avoid a third straight loss.
Hall’s thrown for 1,914 passing yards with 17 touchdowns to three interceptions on the season.
Christopher Brooks has received the task of replacing record-breaking back Tyler Allgeier. The Cal transfer has been solid, receiving about 10-12 touches per game and leading the Cougs with 433 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
BYU has a pretty good receiving core, especially when Puka Nacua is healthy. Nacua is one of more versatile and explosive players in the country, and his presence helped BYU keep up with Arkansas last week. The hometown wideout caught eight passes for 141 yards and scored three times (1 rec, 2 rush). Nacua has 12 receptions for 189 receiving yards, 120 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
Kody Epps and Keanu Hill have been Hall’s favorite targets this season. Epps has started to come alive over the past five weeks, scoring in each of those games, and surpassing the 100-yard mark in each of the past two games. Epps leads BYU in receptions (34), receiving yards (423), and six touchdowns. Hill has caught four passes or more in four games this season, and he’s second on the team with 21 catches, 395 yards, and four touchdowns.
Liberty Flames
Liberty is truly thriving as an Independent school, and a Virginian, it’s been really interesting watching this program come up. The Flames are a single point away from being undefeated, as a one-point loss in Winston-Salem to Wake Forest remains their lone blemish. Since then, they’ve bounced back with four victories, including a road win in Norfolk over in-state for Old Dominion. The Flames celebrated homecoming last weekend, and nearly left the stadium upset.
In Week 7, Liberty squeaked by Gardner-Webb, 21-20, dropping to 3-3 against the spread this season.
Liberty scores 29.7 points per game, while allowing 22.5 ppg.
An injury to Kaidon Salter has thrusted Johnathan Bennett into the starting lineup. The junior quarterback has been given the task of replacing Malik Willis, and he’s found life a bit tough. After tossing two scores in the road win over UMass, Bennett nearly blew it last weekend against Gardner Webb. Bennett is up to 692 passing yards with six touchdowns to six interceptions on the season.
Hugh Freeze has leaned more on the run game this season after the departure of Willis and going down to his second-string QB. Dae Hunter has been one of the most consistent backs in country this season. The Hawaii transfer has surpassed the 110-yard mark in each of the past five games, scoring touchdowns in each of those. Hunter scored three times in the win over ODU, and he leads Liberty with 612 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.
DeMario Douglas has been the guy outside again for Liberty this season. The sophomore wideout is on pace to break last year’s total, and he leads the Flames with 34 receptions, 546 receivign yards an five touchdowns.
NCAA Football Handicapping Trends
- BYU are 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
- LIB are 3-3 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
- Cougars are 3-5 ATS in their last 8 road games.
- Flames are 5-3 ATS in their last 8 home games.
Free Week 8 NCAA Football Final Analysis:
Liberty head coach Hugh Freeze defined this weekend with one statement.
“It is, without a doubt, the biggest home football game this program’s ever had.”
BYU is to Liberty, what Notre Dame is to BYU, to explain the magnitude of this battle of Independents. Liberty University has put millions into their program to emulate what Brigham Young has been able to do, and this bout could be a turning page in school history.
The Cougars are going to come into this one hungry themselves after dropping their last two games, including a meeting. with their big brothers Notre Dame. This bout will carry meaning to them as well, as they should be well aware of the magnitude of the matchup. These last two weeks have been physical, brutal contests, and it’s hard to trust them on the road right now.
BYU hasn’t been able to cover this season, so let’s put faith on the Flames side here, and spot them the points for safety. Take Liberty’s spread for what will be their biggest game in school history, as the effort should be there for a victory.
4* Free Week 6 NCAA Betting Pick: Liberty +7
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