One of the best aspects of the NCAA is that it gives us so many different games that fans can tune in at any time of the day and check in on their college football betting action. One matchup that will be taking place late Saturday night is the contest between the BYU Cougars and the Arizona Wildcats. The game will be played at a neutral site but the Wildcats are likely to have the advantage. The University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale Arizona will be hosting the ballgame and fans looking to tune in can do so at 10:30 pm ET.
Last year’s season opener was filled with mixed emotions for BYU. They emerged victorious over Nebraska with a thrilling Hail-Mary but ended up losing their starting quarterback with a season-ending injury. Taysom Hill will be returning this season and is ready to pick up the reins on offense. Tanner Mangum was the man filling-in in his absence and with his help BYU finished the season 9-4. The Cougars made it to the Las Vegas Bowl were they were beaten by their rival, Utah. Now with Hill back in the lineup BYU will be looking to start 2016 on a high note. What do the best football betting websites think about their chances?
Saturday the 3rd of September
BYU +1 ½ (-110) 60 ½ (-110) +105
Arizona U -1 ½ (-110) 60 ½ (110) -125
It seems the college football betting odds have favored Arizona in this contest. Most likely due to the fact that the Wildcats ended the season positively with a win in the New Mexico Bowl over New Mexico 45-37. On paper Arizona’s offense looks terrific. They averaged 37.4 points per game while averaging 222.3 yards rushing and 272.6 yards passing per game. Anu Solomon will likely be the starting quarterback after tossing for over 2,500 yards and 20 scores. Solomon will be joined by the same duo at runningback as last year’s; Nick Wilson and Orlando Bradford. Nate Philips was Arizona’s star wideout last year and he’ll be looking to add another dominating season to his collegiate career after catching for over 564 yards. Arizona’s offense was great all season but this team was plagued by poor play from their defense.
The Wildcats defense allotted 35.8 points per game last season and averaged a whopping 268.3 allowed passing yards per contest. DeAndre Miller will be returning at linebacker and DaVonte Neal will join him at safety. Bringing in new players shouldn’t be frowned upon however, especially when considering how poorly this defense performed. Arizona desperately needs a turnaround on this side of the ball if they want to be competitive within the Pac 12.
BYU will be returning with 70% of their roster who was able to average 33.7 points per game. Their passing game was on point all season putting up 296.5 yards per game in 2015. As aforementioned Hill will be returning healthy at quarterback, his collegiate career consists of 4,606 yards passing and 2,212 yards rushing with 55 touchdowns. Fred Warner and Kai Nacua will be returning to anchor this defense that only allowed 22.8 points per game.
Both of these teams are evenly matched and the college football betting odds should be a good indication that this game will come down to the wire.