Friday, Oct. 2, LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, Utah, 9 p.m. ET
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
The Bulldogs needed to rally late to get past Southern Mississippi in their opener 31-30, but rolled over FCS foe Houston Baptist their last outing with Abilene transfer Luke Anthony throwing for five touchdowns and rushng for another. He was 17 of 30 passing for 314 yards, and coach Skip Holtz, who has made the Bulldogs a consistent winner, says there is more to come. “Luke can definitely play better,” he said.
The Bulldogs also rushed for 182 yards against Houston Baptist and have rushed for 345 yards in the two games. Justin Henderson leads the team in rushing with 146 yards. Smoke Harris has 10 receptions for 89 yards and Adrian Hardy nine for 148.
BYU Cougars
The Cougars have rolled past their two opponents, outscoring Navy and Troy by a combined score of 103-10 and outgaining them with 1,244 yards in total offense to 330. Zach Wilson has put himself into the early Heisman conversation by completing 36 of 45 passes for 624 yards and four touchdowns with a single interception. Dax Milne has 10 receptions for 175 yards and Gunner Romney nine for 272, a spectacular 30.2 yard per reception average. They each have a touchdown reception.
Tyler Allgeier (24 carries, 182 yards) and Lopini Kotoa (21l-156) have rushed enough to keep defenses honest. And speaking of defenses, the Cougars have limited their first two opponents to just 138 yards rushing. Ground-oriented Navy managed only 119 yards rushing. Pili Keenan has 12 tackles and Isaiah Kaufusi and Khyiris Tonga have a couple of sacks apiece.
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at BYU Cougars Betting Pick
The Bulldogs looked susceptible against the pass in surrendering 406 yards through the air against Houston Baptist. They also gave up 246 yards passing in the win over Southern Mississippi. The Cougars definitely seem to have the advantage there, though Holtz thought his defense played well against Houston Baptist, despite the incongruity. “It’s not often you have a quarterback throw for 400 yards against you and you feel like your defense played well,” he said.
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at BYU Cougars Betting Pick: Cougars (-22) 48, Bulldogs (+22) 28
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at BYU Cougars Best Bet
BYU has averaged 51.5 points and 622 yards in total offense a game. Louisiana Tech’s numbers are 48.5 and 461.5, respectively. If this were basketball, you would give the shot-clock operator the night off. The Cougs have the edge defensively. That domination of Navy is especially impressive, and it came at Annapolis.
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at BYU Cougars Best Bet: COVER 52.5
