2013 BYU
College Football
Betting Preview
Schedule and Odds
BYU is a team to keep an eye on this year. Last year, inconsistency was their main problem on the offensive side. That seemed to occur mostly on the road where Four of their five losses came. In those Four road losses, the Cougars scored just under 14 points per Game. And then there’s that 6-3 home win over Utah State.
That said, BYU brought in new offensive coordinator Robert Anae who comes over from Arizona. Although it’s worth noting that from 2005-2010, he held the same position with the Cougars. The offense will be led by Taysom Hill at quarterback and he’s going make or break this team. After missing most of 2012 with a knee injury, Hill has been named the starter going into the fall. The hope of a faster paced offense along with a healthy Hill, can prove dividends. His supporting cast isn’t all that bad either with wide receiver Cody Hoffman leading the way after totaling 100 catches for 1,248 yards and 11 TDs last year. Jamaal Williams and Michael Alisa also return at running back. The offensive line lost three starters, but they signed six more and shouldn’t see a drop-off in that area.
The Cougars are usually known for a stout defense and that won’t stop this season. Six starters return to a unit that allowed just 14 points per Game last year. Still, it’s going to be tough for them to replace some of their best players. They lost a few to graduation like the No. 5 pick in the NFL draft (DE Ziggy Ansah) and also lost a corner due to a torn ACL early in spring. At least linebacker Kyle Van Noy is back, he should be able to keep the defense respectable.
2013 BYU College Football Schedule
Aug. 31 at Virginia
Sept. 7 vs. Texas
Sept. 21 vs. Utah
Sept. 27 vs. Middle Tennessee
Oct. 4 at Utah State
Oct. 12 vs. Georgia Tech
Oct. 19 at Houston
Oct. 25 vs. Boise State
Nov. 9 at Wisconsin
Nov. 16 vs. Idaho State
Nov. 23 at Notre Dame
Nov. 30 at Nevada
BYU’s Schedule was reasonably tough last season, but it may just be even harder this year. They basically took out the Four easiest Games from 2012 and replaced them with schools like Texas and Wisconsin.
Once again, road Games could be a problem for the Cougars, especially at the end of the season. In November alone, BYU has to travel to Wisconsin, Notre Dame and Nevada.
This only means that BYU has to win their Games at home. Texas will be a monumental task early in the season for a young quarterback while Mid Tennessee has a solid squad as well. A nice home battle with Boise State will also be thrown in right before their trip to Wisconsin. Virginia, Utah State and Houston all come at home with none of them being free wins. The only freebie BYU is getting all year is against Idaho State.
Reaching those eight wins will be even harder in 2013, but if the offense can get things going, that total will be very possible. Expect at least seven wins from the Cougars this season, with a likely chance that there will be more.