BYU vs Oregon State betting odds – Beavers to end season on a high note
NCAA Football Odds: Pick Oregon State -2 |
The BYU vs Oregon State betting odds in the MAACO Las Vegas Bowl will present an interesting matchup after both teams missed opportunities for bigger bowls. After BYU topped Oklahoma early in the year, online betting cappers thought they had a chance to be BCS-bound but that never came to fruition. Meanwhile, Oregon State blew a chance to make the Rose Bowl for the first time in 45 years with a loss to Oregon. Even so, the Beavers are the better team in this contest and they will get the win.
Sportsbook Odds: Beavers -2, O/U: 58
What’s On The Line?
The BYU Cougars are back in the Las Vegas bowl for a fifth straight time, so you have to wonder how excited they will be. For a minor undertone of a storyline, Cougars head coach Bronco Mendenhall will be going up against his alma mater in this game, so that will add some flavor.
For Oregon State, this is an important spring board to next year. Sure, they missed the Rose Bowl but with 18 of 22 starters returning next year, they will more than just a sleeper in the Pac 10 next year. They have won five straight bowl games
Offensive Matchups: BYU vs Oregon State betting odds
The BYU offense has received a spark recently with the return of tailback Harvey Unga. This is a veteran BYU squad with three-year start Max Hall at quarterback, prospective NFL tight end Dennis Pitta and Unga, who is a junior. This offense is thin at receiver, though, and Hall is coming off his worst game in three years. They could have trouble against a very good Oregon State defense
Oregon State didn’t have enough punch to beat Oregon in the Civil War but this is still a good offense. Quarterback Sean Canfield is one of the most efficient passers in the nation and the Rodgers brothers (James and Jacquizz) provide plenty of big plays. This unit topped 5000 yards for just the sixth time in school history.
Betting Edge: Even
Defensive Matchups: BYU vs Oregon State betting odds
The Cougars defense is the typical bend-but-don’t-break style and that should present a good matchup. The Cougars defense played particularly well in the last two games against Air Force and Utah, although Oregon State is much better than both of those teams.
Meanwhile, Oregon State has a stifling run defense, which means they’ll make BYU one-dimensional, but that’s nothing they aren’t used to. The Beavers usually get worked over against good running outfits and hold their own against the pass-oriented outfits. This should be a case of the latter.
Betting Edge: Oregon State
Notable Injuries: BYU vs Oregon State betting odds
The Beavers lost cornerback Tim Clark in the Civil War and he was only one of two seniors starting for the defense. This could be a key loss with a passing offense upcoming.
Betting Edge: BYU
Over/Under Picks: BYU vs Oregon State betting odds
Both teams have very solid defenses, so we should expect a score lower than 58 points. The Cougars are not as explosive as they were in previous years and they will have a tough time against one of the Pac 10’s best units. For Oregon State, they’ll move the ball but they may have to settle for field goals rather than touchdowns a few times. That will keep this game under.
Pick: Under 58
NCAA football betting fans know that this is a showcase game for the experienced Cougars – especially quarterback Max Hall – but he has already showcased that he struggles against quality defenses. Hall was a bit off against Oklahoma, Florida State, TCU and Utah. Look for more of the same in this game as Oregon State gets their sixth straight bowl win.
BLAKE’S PICK Oregon State -2
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