Saturday, September 20, 2014

LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

BYU has big plans for the 2014 season and so far they've been very workmanlike, starting off the year 3-0. The Cougars will be facing their tallest order of the season Saturday afternoon as the Virginia Cavaliers come in fresh of knocking off last week's #21 ranked team Louisville and with their sites set on the team that took that spot in the polls this week.

Virginia (2-1) finds themselves double digit underdogs this week despite the impressive win last week over Louisville 23-21. The win was the second in the row for the Cavaliers following a close 28-20 loss to start the season against #7 ranked UCLA in which the Bruins scored 3 TD on defense. The Cavaliers employ a two-headed QB approach with both Matt Johns and Greyson Lambert taking snaps in each of Virginia's first 3 games while Kevin Parks is the leading rusher despite averaging just 3.3 YPC. The Cavalier defense has been stout against the run the past two games, limiting Richmond and Louisville to 59 and 79 yards respectively; something that will be very important against the vaunted BYU ground attack.

Speaking of the Cougars, they've amassed over 250 rushing yards per game to start the season as they maintain a glimmer of hope in making the inaugural FBS playoffs. QB Taysom Hill mans the option offense, leading the way with 356 yards on the ground to go with 6 rushing TD's. Hill has thrown for another 689 yards and 4TD to become one of the highest yardage compilers in the nation. Unlike many option teams though, BYU isn't afraid to throw the ball with Hill completing 67/98 passes thus far in the year. On the flip side of the ball, the BYU defense has allowed only 14 PPG, good enough for 14th in the country behind the #3 rushing defense in the FBS.

There are very few roadblocks on the BYU road to a perfect season but Virginia could be considered one given the fact they were able to get the win a year ago 19-16 for one of two wins on the season. In last year's game BYU's Hill was just 13/40 in the air and threw a crucial interception in addition to fumbling out of the end zone for a safety. Both teams have come a long way since the 2013 season opener and Saturday afternoon's game could be one of the under-the-radar good ones on the docket.

Virginia Cavaliers Betting Trends

Virginia Cavaliers are 3-0-0 Against the Spread

Virginia Cavaliers are 0-2-0 against the Over/Under

Brigham Young Cougars Betting Trends

Brigham Young Cougars are 2-1-0 Against the Spread

Brigham Young Cougars are 1-2-0 against the Over/Under

Injuries to Watch

Virginia Cavaliers

08/11/14 DB Demetrious Nicholson Toe out indefinitely
08/02/14 OL Jay Whitmire Back out indefinitely

Brigham Young Cougars

09/16/14 OL Brayden Kearsley Undisclosed questionable Saturday vs. Virginia
09/16/14 LB Bronson Kaufusi Ankle questionable Saturday vs. Virginia
09/16/14 DL Marques Johnson Undisclosed questionable Saturday vs. Virginia
09/14/14 RB Algernon Brown Ankle questionable Saturday vs. Virginia
08/10/14 WR Nick Kurtz Foot out indefinitely

Tony's Pick: Take Virginia

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