BYU at LSU College Football Picks & Predictions 9/2/2017

Saturday, September 2, 2017

NRG Stadium

Get todays College Football Odds & Lines on this game

The BYU Cougars head to NRG Stadium to play the LSU Tigers on Saturday, September 2, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has LSU as 12.5 point favorites. The Cougars were 9-4-0 against the spread last season and their over/under record was 3-10-0. The Tigers were 6-6-0 against the spread and their over/under mark was 2-8-2.

Valuable BYU Cougars Betting Trends

The BYU Cougars were 3-10-0 against the over/under last season

The BYU Cougars were 9-4-0 against the spread last year

Important LSU Tigers Betting Trends

The LSU Tigers were 2-8-2 against the over/under last season

The LSU Tigers were 6-6-0 against the spread last year

Key BYU Cougars Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key LSU Tigers Injuries

08/02/17 G Maea Teuhema Suspension out indefinitely

Useful Offensive Statistics

The BYU Cougars were 59th in the country in points scored with 384 last season. They ran 953 plays last year for 2,573 yards, which ranked them 89th in Division 1 in total offense. The Cougars averaged 5.4 yards per play, which was 90th in the nation. As a team they accumulated a total of 299 1st downs last season, ranking them 33rd overall as an offensive unit. On the ground BYU ran for 2,616 yards, which ranked 40th in college football. They ran 543 times, averaging 4.8 yards per rush as a unit. The Cougars were penalized on offense 83 times for 783 yards last year, which had them 46th in the country in penalties. Tanner Mangum passed for 241 yards last year. He completed 22 throws while attempting 33 passes for a completion percentage of 66.7%. His quarterback rating last season was 152. He averaged 7.8 adjusted yards per throw and 7.3 yards per pass attempt.

Defensive Statistics

BYU was 12th in the country in points surrendered on defense with 254 last year. They gave up a total of 4,765 yards on D, which was 36th in D-1. The Cougars were 56th in yards per play allowed with 5.5. Opponent offenses completed 270 throws on 429 attempts against the BYU Cougars defense last season, ranking them 102nd and 79th in the nation. The BYU pass defense also surrendered a total of 3,279 yards in the air, which was 101st overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense gave up 430 attempts for 1,487 yards last season, putting them in 11th place in the country against the run. The Cougars had 82 penalties for 748 yards on defense last year. That placed them 88th in college football.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Tigers ran for 2,797 yards as a team last year, which ranked 28th in college football. They ran 458 times, averaging 6.1 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The LSU Tigers were penalized on offense 58 times for 492 yards last season, which had them 114th in the country in penalties. They were 75th in the nation in points scored with 340. They ran 756 plays last season for 2,281 yards, which ranked them 105th in Division 1 in total offense. LSU averaged 6.7 yards per play, which was 16th in college football. As a team they accumulated a total of 235 1st downs last year, placing them 106th overall as an offensive unit. Danny Etling averaged 7.9 yards per pass attempt and 7.9 adjusted yards per throw last season. He completed 160 passes on 269 attempts for a completion percentage of 59.5%. His quarterback rating last year was 135.6. He threw for 2,123 yards.

Defensive Statistics

The LSU Tigers rush defense allowed 430 attempts for 1,408 yards last year, putting them in 5th place in D-1 against the run. LSU committed 64 penalties for 502 yards on the defensive side of the ball last season. That ranked them 8th in college football. They were 2nd in the nation in points allowed on defense with 190. They surrendered a total of 3,773 yards on D, which was 2nd in the country. The Tigers were ranked 13th in yards per play allowed with 4.8. Opposing offenses completed 194 passes on 364 attempts against the LSU defense last season, placing them 25th and 37th in Division 1. The LSU Tigers pass defense also gave up a total of 2,366 yards through the air, which was 19th overall in total pass defense.

Who will win tonight's Cougars/Tigers college football game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Tigers -12.5

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