Two teams that prefer running the football, Coach Walt Bell and the Massachusetts Minutemen (-40) are prepared to take the field against their in-conference foe BYU Cougars at Warren P. McGuirk Alumni Stadium. Fans can catch the action live on FLOF and kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. ET.
Betting Preview: Massachusetts Minutemen vs. BYU Cougars
BYU is significantly favored here and is currently giving up 40 points to Massachusetts. If the Minutemen get ahead early on it will result in a worthy betting opportunity in-game. Oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 69 points.
The over/under has not changed after it was initially established at 69. Having said that, the opening line was 39 so has recently moved up to 40.
The Cougars have gained 2.6 units so far in 2019 and are 4-6 against the spread (ATS). The team has posted an O/U record of 5-5.
The underwhelming Minutemen have lost 2.4 units this season. They’re 1-10 ATS and eight of their games have gone over the total.
The Cougars are 6-4 straight up (SU), including 1-0 SU against conference opponents. The Minutemen are 1-10 SU overall and are also 0-2 SU in conference play.
BYU enters this matchup on a zero-game winless streak while Massachusetts has won each of its last zero. The Cougars are coming off a resounding 42-10 victory over Idaho State last week. the Cougars completed 24-of-36 passes for 245 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Zach Wilson went 19-for-31 for 187 yards, two touchdowns and one interception while Joe Critchlow completed five-of-five for 58 yards. Sione Finau (102 rushing yards on 16 attempts, one TD) and Jackson McChensey (46 yards on 10 carries) led the ground attack in the win while Micah Simon (seven receptions, 76 yards) and Talon Shumway (five catches, 41 yards, two TDs) handled the receiving duties.
Massachusetts just lost in a one-sided affair, 45-6 to Northwestern. The defense allowed the Wildcats to kill the clock by running for 334 yards on 52 rush attempts, including five rush TDs. Evan Hull was on a different level for Northwestern, recording 220 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 24 attempts. As a group, the Minutemen collectively completed 25-of-46 passes for 227 yards and one interception. Randall West went 19-for-36 for 175 yards and one interception while Andrew Brito was six-of-10 for 52 yards. Bilal Ally (66 rushing yards on 16 attempts) and Cam Roberson (29 yards on 10 carries) mounted the ground game in the defeat as Zak Simon (six receptions, 58 yards) and Brennon Dingle (four catches, 66 yards) led the receiving corps.
Each squad sports a similar run-pass ratio on the season. BYU has run the ball on 50.9 percent of its offensive possessions while Massachusetts has an overall rush percentage of 52.0. Having said that, the Cougars have run for 143.9 yards/game and have 17 scores via handoffs this year. The Minutemen haven’t been quite as successful. They’re putting up 122.9 rush yards per game (66 in conference) and have 13 total rushing TDs.
The Cougars offensive scheme has averaged 278.1 yards in the air overall and has 16 passing scores so far. The Minutemen have produced 170.5 pass yards per outing (117 against IndFBS foes) and have 13 total pass TDs.
Defensively, BYU appears to have the upper hand in both facets. The team has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 193.3 yards and throw for 212.7 yards per game. The Massachusetts defense has given up 257.9 yards per game to opposing passers and 295.4 yards per game on the ground. The Cougars are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.62 to opponents, while the Minutemen have given up a whopping 9.71 ANY/A.
Offensively, Romney has put up 747 passing yards on the year. The signal-caller has completed 54-of-85 attempts with seven scores through the air and only two interceptions. He’s got a sparkling 8.75 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 8.09 over the last two games.
Look for a balanced attack offensively from BYU in this one. Micah Simon, Sione Finau and Matt Bushman have collectively accounted for 504 total yards and four touchdowns over the last two outings.
Randall West has managed to complete 75-of-129 passes for 709 yards, four TDs and four INTs for Massachusetts. His ANY/A sits at a mediocre 4.10 for the season and 2.38 across his last two outings.
Bilal Ally, Zak Simon and Brennon Dingle have combined for 259 yards from scrimmage as a trio the last two games.
When these two teams faced one another a year ago, BYU got the victory over Massachusetts, 35-16.
BYU Cougars vs. Massachusetts Minutemen NCAA Tip
SU Winner: Massachusetts, ATS Winner: Massachusetts, O/U: Under
Betting Notes
- The Cougars offense has registered seven pass plays of 40 yards or more, while the Minutemen have accounted for three such plays.
- The BYU defense has allowed five pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Massachusetts has given up 10 such plays.
- The BYU offense has created 10 rushing plays of 20+ yards, while Massachusetts has created 13 such runs.
- The Cougars defense has allowed eight rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Minutemen have given up 28 such runs.
- The BYU D has sacked opposing quarterbacks 10 times this year. Massachusetts has produced nine sacks.
- As a team, BYU has averaged 4.8 yards per carry across its past three outings and 4.6 over its last two.
- Massachusetts has averaged 2.3 yards per carry over its last three contests and 1.9 over its last two.
- Over its last three matches, Massachusetts is 0-3 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- The O/U for BYU’s previous game was set at 58.5. The under cashed in the team’s 42-10 victory over Idaho State.
- In its last three games, BYU is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The Over/Under for Massachusetts’ previous matchup was set at 57.5. The under cashed in the 45-6 loss to Northwestern.
