The Cougars of BYU (-24) are gearing up to welcome their conference counterpart New Mexico State Aggies to LaVell Edwards Stadium. ESPN2 will televise the action and the game’s scheduled to get underway at 10:15 p.m. ET.
New Mexico State Aggies vs. BYU Cougars Betting Preview
New Mexico State is a big road underdog here and is currently receiving 24 points by bookmakers. Vegas has set the over/under (O/U) at 55.5 points, and on the surface it appears that this game should have some live betting opportunities.
This game’s over/under was placed initially at 56.5, but the under is receiving the bulk of the early sharp action.
The Aggies have lost 1.6 units so far and are 2-8 against the spread (ATS). The team’s posted an O/U record of 7-3. The Cougars are down 2.0 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 6-4 ATS and have an O/U record of 2-8.
The Aggies have gone 3-7 straight up (SU), including 1-0 SU against IndFBS opponents. The Cougars are 5-5 SU overall and are also 1-0 SU in conference play.
The Aggies enter after a 52-42 victory over Alcorn State on November 3. Josh Adkins completed 32 passes on 44 attempts for 396 yards and four touchdowns. Christian Gibson (89 yards on 13 rush attempts) led the ground attack in the win while Huntley (nine receptions, 111 yards, one TD) and Royce Caldwell (seven catches, 84 yards, one TD) shared the receiving duties.
The BYU Cougars are coming off of a lopsided 35-16 win over Massachusetts. The defense allowed the Minutemen to rush for 102 yards on 36 attempts, including two rush TDs. Andy Isabella was a bright spot in the loss, recording 85 yards on 10 catches for Massachusetts. For BYU, Zach Wilson completed 14-of-22 passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns. Matt Hadley (69 rushing yards on 11 attempts, one TD) and the signal-caller Wilson (53 yards on eight carries) led the ground game in the win while Talon Shumway (three receptions, 29 yards, two TDs) and Micah Simon (two catches, 11 yards) led the pass-catching attack.
New Mexico State has run the ball on 41.6 percent of its offensive possessions this year while BYU has a rush percentage of 54.3 percent. The Aggies have run for 113 yards per game and have 14 touchdowns via handoffs this year. The Cougars are logging 139 rushing yards per game and have 16 total rush TDs.
If 2018 numbers can translate to this game, then it’s looking like the Cougars should hold an advantage when it comes to effectiveness in the ground game, since their running backs has generated 3.9 yards per carry while their defense has allowed 3.8 YPC to opponents. The Aggies have registered 3.8 yards per carry while allowing a YPC of 5.1 to opponents.
The Aggies offense has averaged 261 yards through the air overall and has 14 passing scores so far. The Cougars have put up 200 pass yards per game and have 12 total pass TDs.
On the defensive side of the ball, New Mexico State has allowed 276 rush yards and 214 pass yards per game. The BYU defense has given up 194.2 yards per game to opposing passers and 135.0 yards per game on the ground. The Cougars are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.53 to opponents, while the Aggies have given up a 7.47 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Adkins has amassed 1,711 yards this year. The signal-caller has completed 63 percent of his 219 attempts with 11 passing scores and four interceptions. Adkins has a 7.11 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 5.95 over the last two outings.
On the other sideline, Zach Wilson has connected on 52-of-82 passes for 633 yards, six TDs and two INTs. Wilson’s ANY/A stands at 6.96 for the year and 7.25 across his last two games.
These two conference foes did not get a chance to play one another in 2017.
RELATED: Week 12 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
NCAA Pick: New Mexico State Aggies at BYU Cougars
SU Winner – BYU, ATS Winner – New Mexico State, O/U – Under
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Team Betting Trends
The Aggies offense has created seven pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Cougars have put up five such plays.
The New Mexico State defense has allowed five pass plays of 40 or more yards, while BYU has given up three such plays.
Both teams have produced 12 rushing plays of 20 or more yards. The New Mexico State offense has recorded 41 running plays of 10+ yards while BYU has accounted for 39 such plays.
The Aggies defense has allowed 22 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Cougars have given up six such runs.
The New Mexico State D has sacked opposing QBs 24 times this year. BYU has registered just 18 sacks.
As a team, New Mexico State has rushed for 4.5 yards per attempt across its last three games and 4.6 over its last two.
BYU has averaged 3.6 yards per carry over its last three outings and 4.1 over its last two.
*****
