BYU Cougars(2-1SU,1-2ATS) vs.Boise State Broncos(1-1SU,2-0ATS)
College Football week 4
Date/Time:Thursday September 20, 2012. 9:00 p.m. EST.
Where:Bronco Stadium, Boise Idaho
TV:ESPN
byWilson,Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread:BYU +7.5/BSU -7.5
Over/Under Total:OFF
The BYU Cougars played in a heartbreaker last Saturday night in Salt Lake City. I was on my way back from Vegas and had a layover in SLC where the entire airport was full of BYU Cougars and Utah Utes faithful exiting arrival gates and hurrying to the stadium. Then No. 25 BYU looked to erase a previous loss to Utah only to see the same result as the last time these two teams met: 24-21 loss by a blocked field goal.
BYU QB, Riley Nelson led the Cougars back from a 24-7 deficit as he finished the game 17 of 35 for 206 yards but the killer was the other stats against him which included an interception, 4 sacks, and a fumble that was returned for a touchdown. The loss will likely knock BYU out of the top 25 and dash any hopes of a big bowl game outside of The Poinsettia Bowl.
Although BYUs defense held the Utes to just 49 yards net rushing it wasnt enough in the end to get it done. The Cougars had two attempts to tie the game with a field goal but one was blocked and the other hit off the upright and deflected away.
Meanwhile, the Boise State Broncos rebounded after a loss at Michigan State two weeks ago by rolling over Miami of Ohio Saturday 39-12. The Broncos now without Heisman candidate from a year ago in QB Kellen Moore are looking to establish a new season with new personnel; QB junior, Joe Southwick was 24 of 31 for 304 yards and 2 touchdowns. Senior Bronco running back, DJ Harper stole the show by rushing for a career-high 162 yards and three touchdowns. Harper improved after being shut down by a tough Michigan State defense a week earlier.
Defensively the Broncos applied pressure from every spot and held Miami to just 12 points. It took the Broncos a while to overcome a couple first half turnovers but once they got going it was game over on the blue turf in Boise. The Broncos expect a lot from senior RB DJ Harper and thats what they got in this game. The Broncos have a lot of talent and they will need it all this week against BYU.
BYU will definitely be looking to forget about their devastating loss at Utah when take on Boise State. The Cougars are well balanced squad who both run and gun. The Broncos defensive backs will have to be on their game against a savvy receiving crew for BYU who likes to run a lot of out routes and paint the sidelines; if the Broncos do their homework they might be able to play with BYU and even hand them their second loss on the season.
WilsonsPick to Cover the Point Spread: Having to travel twice in a week, play twice on the road and on a short week doesn’t bode well for the Utes. Add in the fact that Boise St. has been sleeping in their own beds during that whole time and that alone becomes a big advantage. I do like the game to be close though and while point buying isn’t something that I’d normally recommend, I would do so to bring this line down to 7. It would be a disaster to lose because of that hook. Luck to ya.
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