A couple of schools that like to run the football, Coach Kalani Sitake and the BYU Cougars (-3) are set to take on the San Diego State Aztecs at SDCCU Stadium. The game starts at 9:00 p.m. ET and you can tune in to the action on CBS Sports Network.
Betting Preview: BYU Cougars vs. San Diego State Aztecs
In this Saturday game, BYU is tabbed as the favorite and is currently giving up 3 points. The Cougars are also receiving -155 moneyline odds while the Aztecs are +135. Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 41 points, and if one program gets out in front early on, it will likely result in a nice betting opportunity in-game.
This game’s opening line was 2.5, while the total hasn’t moved since it opened at 41.
The Cougars are 4-7 against the spread (ATS) and have gained 2.6 units so far. The team’s posted an O/U record of 6-5.
The Aztecs have been a disappointment to moneyline bettors this season, losing 7.2 units. They’re 6-5 ATS and have an O/U record of 1-10.
The Cougars are 7-4 straight up (SU) in 2019 while the Aztecs are 8-3 SU.
The Cougars want to keep things rolling following a 56-24 victory over Massachusetts last week. The passing attack was on point as the Cougars completed 21-of-28 passes for 308 yards and four touchdowns. Zach Wilson went 17-for-20 for 293 yards and four touchdowns while Joe Critchlow completed four-of-seven for 15 yards. Jackson McChensey (228 yards on 15 rush attempts, two TDs) led the ground attack while Talon Shumway (four receptions, 92 yards, one TD) and Katoa (three catches, 38 yards, one TD) handled the receiving duties in the win.
San Diego State narrowly fell 14-11 to Hawaii. The defensive unit allowed the Rainbow Warriors to kill the clock by running for 132 yards on 31 rush attempts, along with one rushing TD. Jason-Matthew Sharsh had a solid outing in the win, posting 95 yards and a score on 10 catches for Hawaii. For San Diego State, Ryan Agnew completed 25-of-39 passes for 229 yards. Juwan Washington (24 yards on nine rush attempts) handled the running game as Kobe Smith (six receptions, 74 yards) and Parker Houston (five catches, 47 yards) led the pass-catching corps in the loss.
BYU’s run the ball on 51.6 percent of its offensive possessions this year while San Diego State has a rush percentage of 57.2 percent. The Cougars have produced 159.9 rush yards/game and have 21 scores on the ground this year. The Aztecs are totaling 137 rush yards per game and have 10 total rushing TDs.
If the results so far this season can translate to this game, then the Aztecs could have the advantage along both the offensive and defensive fronts. Their offensive line has allowed only 18 sacks while their D-line has registered 26 sacks. The Cougars O-line has given up 26 sacks and their defense has sacked opposing signal-callerss just 10 times.
The Cougars offensive scheme has averaged 280.8 yards through the air overall and has 20 passing scores so far. The Aztecs have recorded 197.7 pass yards per game and have 11 total pass TDs.
BYU has allowed opponents to run for an average of 189 yards and pass for 206.6 yards per game. The San Diego State D has given up 205.2 yards per game to opposing passers and 71.8 yards per game to opposing runners. The Aztecs are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 4.42 to opponents, while the Cougars have allowed a 5.54 ANY/A.
Offensively, Wilson has put up 1,605 passing yards this season. He’s connected on 125-of-195 attempts with nine passing scores and four interceptions. He has a 7.33 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 9.65 over the last two outings.
Ryan Agnew has completed 183-of-293 passes for 1,852 yards, 10 TDs and four INTs for San Diego State. His ANY/A sits at 5.57 for the season and 5.98 over his last two games.
BYU Cougars vs. San Diego State Aztecs Betting Pick
SU Winner: BYU, ATS Winner: BYU, O/U: Over
Betting Notes
- The San Diego State D has sacked opposing quarterbacks 26 times this season. BYU has registered just 10 sacks.
- The San Diego State offense has lost two fumbles in 2019 while BYU has lost eight.
- The Cougars offense has tallied nine pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Aztecs have put up three such plays.
- The BYU defense has allowed five pass plays of 40 yards or more, while San Diego State has given up 11 such plays.
- The BYU offense has created 13 rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while San Diego State has created six such runs.
- The Cougars defense has allowed nine rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Aztecs have given up four such runs.
- BYU has averaged 5.7 yards per carry over its last three games and 6.2 over its last two.
- San Diego State has averaged 3.0 yards per carry over its last three contests and 3.0 over its past two.
