BYU Cougars vs Utah State Aggies Betting Preview: Undefeated Cougars Good Value to Avoid Utah State’s Upset Bid in Tough Road Test

BYU has some nice wins but tonight’s trip to Utah State will be their first road test of the college football season. The bigger rivalry is with Utah, but Utah State wants to beat them just as much.

For the Aggies, they are also off to a good start after going 1-5 last season. However, they enter tonight’s contest off of their first loss of the season, as they were shut down by Boise State at home last week. They need a big bounce-back game against the rival Cougars to regain their confidence.

This game should have some intensity. At the very least check on it during commercial breaks during important MLB games.

BYU Cougars (4-0) vs Utah State Aggies (3-1), CBS Sports Network, 9:00 p.m. ET

BYU Cougars vs Utah State Aggies College Football Betting Odds

Moneyline

• BYU Cougars -400
• Utah State Aggies +300

Total

• OVER 65.5 (-110)
• UNDER 65.5 (-110)

Spread

• BYU Cougars -9.5 (-110)
• Utah State Aggies +9.5 (-110)

BYU Cougars vs Utah State Aggies college football betting odds are via BetOnline Sportsbook as of Friday, October 1, 2021, at 3:00 p.m. ET.

BYU Cougars vs Utah State Aggies Betting Outlook

BYU is 4-0 but they had a little too much trouble putting away South Florida last week. Their first three wins were against Pac-12 teams, but USF scored more points against them than any of those Power 5 opponents, and the Cougars did not cover the spread. Granted, a lot of that was garbage time in the second half but still.

But one encouraging thing from their win over the Bulls was that the offense scored a season-high 35 points with backup QB Baylor Romney leading the way. Romney got the start due to an injury to Jaren Hall and had a very efficient day. The status of Hall is uncertain right now but the Cougars should be able to win even if Romney has to start again.

In those three wins over Pac-12 opponents the Cougars did not give up more than 17 points. That is encouraging for this game and beyond. Defense usually travels well in college football, and it will help the Cougars big time if they don’t have to lean on Hall or Romney in this one. The Cougars have to be focused and not get caught looking ahead to next week’s game against Boise State, especially because they just saw them beat up the Aggies.

Improved Aggies Seek Statement Win

The Aggies started 3-0 before running into a wall last week against Boise State. Two of those wins were solid too though as they beat Air Force and Washington State. I

I am not sure if BYU is better than Boise–we will find out next week–but they need a better effort. They went from scoring 49 points against Air Force to just three against the Broncos. They are not a juggernaut offensively, but they are going to have to get QB Logan Bonner back on track. After three good games, the Arkansas State transfer was lost against the Broncos.

That was just one of their problems last week. The other was getting pushed around on defense by Boise State. The Broncos were able to do whatever they wanted, both rushing and throwing the ball. They were physical and the Aggies had no answer. BYU may be even more physical. Hopefully the Aggies had a very good week of practice to get ready.

College Football Betting Trends to Consider for BYU Cougars vs Utah State Aggies

• BYU is 4-0 ATS in their last four Friday games.
• The Cougars are 4-1 ATS in their last five games following a ATS loss.
• The Cougars are 6-2 ATS in their last eight games after accumulating less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
• Utah State is 5-1 ATS in their last six games following a double-digit loss at home.
• The Aggies are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 non-conference games.
• The Aggies are 20-7-1 ATS in their last 28 Friday games.

BYU Cougars vs Utah State Aggies Best Bet

BYU -9.5

I feel good about BYU running their record to 5-0 this Friday night. I do expect Utah State to play better than the last time we saw them and the backdoor cover will definitely be in play in this one. Once again the physicality of the opponent will just be too much for the Aggies. BYU is not as explosive this season as they were a year ago but they are no less physical. They will wear down Utah State in a comfortable win.

College Football Score Prediction: BYU vs Utah State

BYU 31, Utah State 19