Utah State Aggies vs. BYU Cougars: Betting Odds, Analysis and Prediction

Brigham Young and Utah State have met each of the last six seasons, and while the Cougars won five of those contests, the Aggies covered the spread in five of those last six meetings. BYU and USU get together for the 84th time overall, the 61st time for the Old Wagon Wheel, Friday night in Provo.

Point spread: The Cougars opened as 21-point favorites at LaVell Edwards Stadium, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark (Line updates and matchup report). 

Odds Shark computer prediction: 32.5-19.3 Cougars

Why the Utah State Aggies can cover the spread

The Aggies are 2-2 straight up (SU), with their two losses coming at Tennessee and, two weeks ago, at Arkansas State. They then had last week off. Three weeks ago, Utah State beat Wake Forest 36-24, but because they gave up a score on an interception return, the Aggies came up short in covering the spread as 15-point favorites.

USU then lost to the Red Wolves 21-14 in overtime, missing on the cover as a three-point dog even though it outgained ASU by almost 100 yards while winning the time-of-possession battle by a 32-28 margin. The Aggies have outgained their last three opponents by 90 yards per game, and they outrushed them by over 100 yards per game.

Why the BYU Cougars can cover the spread

The Cougars are 4-0 SU, 2-2 against the spread (ATS) this season, with road wins at Connecticut and at Texas and home victories over Houston and Virginia. BYU outgained its first three opponents by 175 yards per game and outrushed them by over 200 yards per game.

The Cougars struggled a bit two weeks ago with the Cavaliers, but they rallied and actually had the 14-point spread covered a couple of times, before allowing a score with two minutes to go to give up the cash.

BYU is averaging 450 yards per game on offense, 231 yards per game on the ground, while allowing just 89 yards per game rushing. And quarterback Taysom Hill is back to working his magic, completing 67 percent of his throws, with six touchdown passes, while leading the team in rushing with 428 yards and seven more scores.

Smart Pick

Utah State quarterback Chuckie Keeton missed the game against Arkansas State with a sore knee, and his status for Friday is uncertain. Without him, the Aggies are more one dimensional on offense, which doesn't bode well going against a good BYU defense. So while the linesmakers were hesitant to put out an early line on this game, the pick, regardless, goes with the Cougars, minus the points.

Trends

• Utah State is 1-12 SU in its last 13 games when playing BYU.
• BYU is 5-1 SU in its last six games.

Note: All point spread and lines data courtesy of Odds Shark, and all quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury updates and line-move updates and get the free odds tracker app.