BYU vs. SMU Odds
| BYU Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+12.5 -115 | 55.5 -115o / -105u | +350 |
| SMU Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-12.5 -105 | 55.5 -115o / -105u | -450 |
The SMU Mustangs didn't make a great first impression in their season opener against the Nevada Wolf Pack. However, the Mustangs got right against Houston Christian and are now set to host the BYU Cougars.
As for the Cougars, we got to see a bit of why some are high on this offense. BYU ran through Southern Illinois and looks primed for its road test of the season. SMU are currently 12-point favorites (-12) against BYU in the latest college football odds for Week 2, with the Cougars +375 to pull off the upset. SMU is a -500 favorite on the moneyline. The total is currently over/under 55.5 points scored.
Let's dive into this one and get to my BYU vs. SMU predictions and my college football Week 2 picks under the Friday night lights.
BYU vs. SMU Pick, Prediction
College Football Week 2 Pick for BYU vs SMU: BYU +12 | Bet to +11.5
My BYU-SMU best bet is on the Cougars to cover the spread, with the best line currently available at bet365, according to our live NCAAF odds page.
BYU vs. SMU Football Preview
BYU Cougars Football Betting Preview: Passing Attack is Thriving
While many thought former Baylor quarterback Gerry Bohanon would win the starting job, it was the other transfer, Jake Retzlaff, who took nearly all the snaps in BYU's season opener.
Retzlaff showed why he won the job with his performance against Southern Illinois. He went 20-of-30 passing for 348 yards and three touchdowns. While SMU is a step up from Southern Illinois, the Cougars passing attack should really test their secondary.
The Mustangs' weakest defensive unit is their cornerback group, and they will have to contend with a dynamite receiver in Chase Roberts. Roberts was Retzlaff's main target, as he went for 108 yards on seven receptions.
However, the Cougars aren't one-dimensional. They have a pair of talented running backs in LJ Martin and Hinckley Ropati. The duo split carries last week and both found the end zone, but Martin was slightly more efficient.
The Mustangs have been stout against running backs but struggled to contain a mobile quarterback in Nevada's Brendon Lewis. That may open up a package of plays for Bohanon, the more mobile quarterback, to be effective.
SMU Mustangs Football Betting Preview: Offense Needs to Step Up
When it comes to the SMU offense, we don't quite know what to expect. Both quarterbacks, Preston Stone and Kevin Jennings, have seen significant snaps in each of the first two games.
They each bring a different dynamic, as Stone is your typical pocket passer, but Jennings can hurt opposing defenses with both his legs and his arm.
While it should be expected that we'll see more of Stone against a quality opponent, he'll be facing an experienced BYU secondary. This BYU secondary brought back all its starters and four of its top six tacklers.
This is going to be the game where SMU needs to prove it has the high-flying offense many were excited about when the Mustangs entered the ACC.
However, BYU can't be overlooked defensively as the Cougars have developed the talent needed to compete in a power conference, just like the Mustangs.
How to Make College Football Picks on SMU vs BYU
This spread has been fun to watch throughout the week. I grabbed the Cougars at +11.5 upon opening, as my projection has them as around six-point underdogs.
Since then, we've seen this spread rise to 12 and then crash down to as low as 10.5. Some buyers at 10.5 have brought it back to where it started.
However, we haven't seen a significant move since Wednesday, which tells me we have a good number.
The matchup supports this as well. SMU has to prove itself, and BYU can't be counted out.
Take the points.
Pick: BYU +11.5 (Play to 10.5)
How to Watch BYU vs SMU
| Location: | Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas, TX |
| Date: | Friday, Sept. 6 |
| Kickoff Time: | 7 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | ESPN2 |
Cougars vs Mustangs Betting Trends
- BYU is 1-0 against the spread this season.
- BYU's one game this season has gone over the total.
- SMU has gone 1-1 ATS this season.
- The total has flown over in one of SMU's two games, and it went over in the Mustangs' lone home game.
BYU vs SMU Weather
