Louisiana Tech Bulldogs vs. BYU Cougars Free NCAAF Pick, 10–2–2020
Free NCAAF Pick by Frank Obst of SportsPicksForum.com
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (2–0) vs. BYU Cougars (2–0)
Time: Friday, October 2, 9:00 PM EST
Odds: BYU -24, O/U 56
The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs visit Lavell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah on Friday to play the №18 ranked BYU Cougars. Louisiana Tech improved to 2–0 following their 66–38 victory over the Houston Baptist Huskies on Saturday night. BYU continued their impressive play and moved to 2–0 following its 48–7 victory over the Troy Trojans. This will be the first meeting amongst these two schools and the current line is in favor of the Cougars (-24) while the total is 56.
Louisiana Tech has won 4 of their last 6 road games behind the arm of senior QB Luke Anthony (463 yards, 8 TD, 1 INT). The Bulldogs offense averages 172.5 rushing yards per game while averaging 48.5 PPG and 461 total yards per game. The defense has played a little soft allowing 34 PPG, 112 rushing yards per game, and 335 passing yards to Southern Miss and Houston Baptist. The Bulldogs secondary looked week in their win over Houston Baptist as they were beaten deep on multiple occasions. BYU has speedy, physical receivers that will pose challenges once again for this secondary.
BYU is off to a fantastic start after dismantling Navy’s triple-option offense in Week 1, 55–3, and taking care of Troy 48–7 last week. BYU’s defense has allowed only 10 points to start the season and they are making a case for one of the top defenses in the country. The Cougars offense also ranks near the top of college football scoring 51.5 PPG, 247 rushing yards per game, and 375 passing yards per game. Quarterback Zach Wilson leads the attack but he has plenty of offensive playmakers to distribute the ball to including RB Lopini Katoa and WR Gunner Romney.
While both teams are 2–0, there’s been a massive difference in their quality of opposition. Louisiana Tech dismantled an 0–3 FCS team in Houston Baptist and squeaked by an 0–3 Southern Miss squad. BYU Quarterback Zach Wilson looks poised for a breakout season in his third year as a starter and has completed 78.3 percent of his passes for 624 yards through two games behind an experienced offensive line. While this spread may have the public backing Louisiana Tech +24, the BYU Cougars have a well-rounded team with experience and a suffocating defense that could pose problems for the Bulldogs. Louisiana Tech’s defense has a lot of holes and I expect BYU to have no problems stretching the field. Look for BYU’s defense to clamp down and comfortably put away Louisiana Tech in the second half and cover the spread.
Louisiana Tech vs. BYU Free Pick: BYU Cougars -24
