Arizona Wildcats vs BYU Cougars Point Spread Picks

The BYU Cougars may be one of the biggest surprises in NCAA Football this season. The Cougars are 5-0, and they are led by a defense that is allowing just 15.8 PPG on the season. That includes holding Kansas St. to 9, and SMU to 15. Since opening the season with a carzy 61-39 win over New Mexico the Cats are allowing fewer than 20 PPG. Arizona after scoring 61 in that opener vs. New Mexico has bogged down and scored just 74 points in their last four, at 18.5 PPG. It sure looks like the defenses are both playing at a high level. Back the UNDER in this one.

Las Vegas hosts his matchup out West. Rebuilding Arizona has new coach Jedd Fisch and it's clear he has a LOT of work to do after this group lost 70-7 to rival Arizona State last year. Their starting quarterback transferred out so the new coaching staff has to choose between transfer Jordan McCloud and freshman Will Plummer. BYU is stocked with talent and depth after going 11-1. The defense was Top 10 in yards allowed, No. 4 in scoring defense (15.3 points per game). College football favorites like BYU of 10.5 to 21 points that rushed for over 5.25 yards per carry the previous season are 88-40 ATS, including 74-36 ATS in non-conference games. Back BYU.

These teams last met in 2016, and BYU ground out an 18-16 win that went UNDER by nearly 30 points. BYU had one of its worst years on offense in its history last year averaging only 17 points per game, while allowing just 25 per contest. The Cougars return seven on offense, but only one on the offensive line. They're hoping the return of quarterback Tanner Magnum, who missed the last three games last year due to an injury, will be the spark they need. Magnum has the experience having played in 26 games in his career, but he also has struggled at times, and the Cougars will be breaking in a different offense in a new system. The defense still will be formidable with seven starters back, including three on the defensive line. Arizona returns nine on defense and has a new coach in Kevin Sumlin, who is anxious to take advantage of QB Khalil Tate's many talents as he did with Johnny Manziel at Texas A&M. BYU has gone UNDER its last four games versus Pac-12 teams, the Cougars have stayed UNDER 14 of their last 19 non-conference games, and eight of their last 11 road games overall. Also, the Cougars are 15-6 UNDER their last 21 games overall. The Wildcats will have an improved defense, so look for this matchup to stay UNDER the total.