BYU Cougars (5-3) vs. West Virginia Mountaineers (5-3)
BYU Cougars vs. West Virginia Mountaineers 11/4/23 – Week 7 brings excitement back into college football as BYU Cougars square off against West Virginia Mountaineers on an electrifying Saturday evening matchup. Both teams come into this matchup sporting identical 5-3 records, looking for a game-defining victory that could set the course of their seasons moving forward. Set to take place at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium, fans should tune in for free daily NCAAF predictions.
BYU Cougars’ offensive front has been led by LJ Martin and Chase Roberts this season. Martin’s ability to break tackles and find lanes has resulted in 438 rushing yards at an impressive average of 4.6 yards per carry with four touchdowns; his agility and vision will prove instrumental against Mountaineers defense. Meanwhile Roberts has become an invaluable target at receiver, collecting 33 receptions for 459 yards at 13.9 yards per catch; Roberts will prove essential in opening up their offensive playbook by stretching field out further than ever before.
West Virginia Mountaineers offer some formidable playmakers of their own, such as running back CJ Donaldson Jr. and wide receiver Devin Carter. Donaldson has already amassed 574 rushing yards with seven touchdowns – an indication of his ability to power through tackles and maintain balance when running toward the goal line. Carter, although less frequently targeted, has amassed 358 yards through 20 receptions; an impressive 17.9 yard average per catch indicates his big play potential that could pose issues for Cougar defenses.
BYU Cougars vs. West Virginia Mountaineers 11/4/23 Game Info
| When: | Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 7:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium |
| TV: | FOX |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Kedon Slovis QB vs. Garrett Greene QB
Kedon Slovis, BYU’s quarterback, has had an up and down season in terms of passing yardage and completion percentage, totaling 1,716 with 57.5% completion and 12 touchdowns against 6 interceptions for an overall relatively balanced touchdown-to-interception ratio. While Slovis may have balanced it out somewhat with 12 touchdowns against 6 interceptions against opposing defenses, his ability to manage pressure from opposing teams could ultimately determine who wins this contest – especially during crunch time when connecting with Roberts will be key factors to BYU’s success or otherwise.
Garrett Greene has led the Mountaineers offense with precision and poise. Accumulating 1,340 passing yards at 53.5% completion may seem modest; but his 8.4 yards per attempt and 8 touchdowns against 2 interceptions at an impressive passer rating of 138.3 are proof enough of Greene’s vertical threat. His careful ball distribution and decision-making skills have also been appreciated; with dual threat capability providing yet another layer of complexity for BYU defense to decode.
NCAAF Odds/Point Spread: West Virginia Mountaineers -500, Total Odds: 48.5
The Mountaineers enter the fray as the favorites according to the betting odds, with the spread suggesting they’re expected to cover a -12.5 point spread against the Cougars. While West Virginia’s moneyline sits at a hefty -500, indicating strong confidence from the oddsmakers in their ability to secure a win, the Cougars at +395 could attract bettors looking for a higher risk-reward ratio. The total of 48.5 points leans towards a moderately high-scoring affair, matching the trend of both teams’ recent games.
BYU Cougars Betting Trends
Despite the Cougars’ fairly balanced win-loss record, their 6-13 mark against the spread (ATS) in their last 19 games paints a picture of inconsistency in beating expectations. Moreover, their penchant for high-scoring games, with the total going OVER in 5 of their last 7, could be a signal for bettors eyeing the total points market. On the
road, the OVER has hit in 5 of BYU’s last 6, further underlining their offensive capabilities away from home. However, their struggle against Big 12 opposition, with a 2-5 record SU in their last 7, looms over this matchup.
West Virginia Mountaineers Betting Trends
The Mountaineers have a more favorable recent history ATS, with a 5-2 record in their last 7 games. Their same record SU in their last 7 games echoes their adeptness at turning close games into victories. High scoring seems to follow them at home, with the total going OVER in 7 of their last 10 games at Mountaineer Field. Historically in November, they’ve been solid, holding a 4-2 SU record in their last 6 games played in this month, although a 1-4 SU record in their last 5 games played in week 10 could hint at midseason struggles.
BYU Cougars vs. West Virginia Mountaineers 11/4/23 Betting Picks
The Mountaineers, riding the momentum of favorable trends and home-field advantage, appear to be the more solid pick, especially with the OVER looking tempting given both teams’ propensities for scoring. However, the Cougars’ resilience, particularly in November where they are 8-0 SU in their last 8, cannot be dismissed lightly. This matchup has all the hallmarks of a tight contest, perhaps closer than the spread suggests.
For those seeking expert premium analysis picks, the Cougars’ recent performances against the spread cannot be overlooked. With that in mind, the play here could lean towards taking BYU to cover the spread, with the total points potentially tipping just OVER, given the offensive talents on display.
Free Pick and Prediction: West Virginia Mountaineers 30, BYU Cougars 20