In a matchup between two programs that are nationally ranked in the Top 20, the No. 20 BYU Cougars (+18) are paying a visit to the No. 11 Washington Huskies (-18) at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. FOX is scheduled to have the TV rights and kickoff is pegged for 8:30 p.m. ET.
Betting Preview: BYU Cougars at Washington Huskies
In this Saturday game, Washington is tabbed as the big favorite and the team’s currently giving up 18 points. The Cougars are also receiving +800 moneyline odds while the Huskies are -1450. Some good live betting opportunities might be unveiled during the game.
The public has been hammering the Huskies. This game’s opening line was -17.
The Cougars have gained 2.1 units so far in 2018 and are 3-1 against the spread (ATS). They’ve been a good under bet and have posted an Over-Under record of 0-4.
The Huskies are up 1.0 unit for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 1-3 ATS and also have an O/U record of 0-4.
The Cougars are 3-1 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Huskies are also 3-1 SU.
The Cougars are coming off a resounding 30-3 victory over McNeese last week. Tanner Mangum completed 15 passes for only 118 yards and one touchdown. Squally Canada (57 rushing yards on 10 attempts) and Lopini Katoa (64 yards on 10 carries, two TDs) provided the ground attack while Aleva Hifo (four receptions, 38 yards) and Dallin Holker (three catches, 23 yards) handled the receiving duties in the win.
Washington enters this one after just earning a 27-20 win over Arizona State. The team’s defense let the Sun Devils rush for 164 yards on 40 attempts, including two rush TDs. Eno Benjamin had a good outing in the loss for Arizona State, posting 104 rushing yards and a score on 26 attempts. For Washington, Jake Browning completed 15-of-22 passes for 202 yards and three touchdowns. Myles Gaskin (86 rushing yards on 21 attempts) and Salvon Ahmed (71 yards on 10 carries) spearheaded the running game while Aaron Fuller (three receptions, 50 yards, one TD) and Cade Otton (three catches, 40 yards, one TD) led the pass-catching attack in the win.
In terms of offensive play-calling, each squad sports a similar run-pass ratio on the season. BYU has run the ball on 55.1 percent of its offensive possessions while Washington has an overall rush percentage of 54.2. The Cougars have rushed for 156.5 yards per game and have seven touchdowns on the ground this year. The Huskies are totaling 160.0 rushing yards per game and have five total rush TDs.
It appears that the Cougars could hold an advantage in the trenches. Their offensive line has allowed just 26 sacks while their D-line registered 17 sacks. The Huskies offensive line has allowed 20 sacks and their defense has sacked opposing QBs just 39 times.
The Cougars offense has logged 163.8 yards/contest through the air overall and has four passing TDs so far. The Huskies have put up 272.5 pass yards per contest and have eight total pass scores.
Defensively, BYU has let opponents run for an average of 143.3 yards and throw for 185.0 yards per game. The Washington defense has given up 154.0 yards per game to opposing passers and 148.8 yards per game to opposing runners. The Huskies are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 3.89 to opponents, while the Cougars have allowed a 4.47 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Mangum has put up 523 yards this season. The signal-caller has connected on 55-of-94 attempts with three passing scores and two interceptions. He has a 4.99 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 4.63 over the last two games.
The Cougars have tried to control tempo by putting the ball into the hands of their running backs. Along with Aleva Hifo (97 yards), Squally Canada (204 rush yards, three rush TDs) and Lopini Katoa (119 rush yards, two rush TDs) have really been focal points in the BYU offensive scheme.
In the host locker room, Jake Browning has completed 56-of-91 passes for 811 yards, six TDs and three INTs. Browning’s ANY/A stands at 7.93 for the year and 7.79 over his past two outings.
The Huskies will also try to control the game’s pace by turning to their backfield. In addition to Myles Gaskin (25 receiving yards), Aaron Fuller (zero rush yards, 259 receiving yards, one receiving TD) and Andre Baccellia (zero rush yards, 65 receiving yards) have gotten a lot of looks lately.
BYU Cougars at Washington Huskies Free Pick
SU Winner: Washington, ATS Winner: Washington
Team Betting Notes
- The Washington D has sacked opposing quarterbacks six times this season. BYU has produced five sacks.
- Each team has lost one fumble this year.
- The Cougars offense has tallied zero pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Huskies have accounted for four such plays.
- The BYU defense has allowed one pass play of 40 yards or more, while Washington has given up zero such plays.
- The BYU offense has created three rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while Washington has created nine such runs.
- The Cougars defense has allowed three rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Huskies have given up two such runs.
- As a team, BYU has rushed for 4.30097087378641 yards per attempt over its last three games and 5.0 over its last two.
- Washington has averaged 4.7 yards per carry over its last three contests and 4.3 over its last two.
