Sam Houston Bearkats vs BYU Cougars Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 09/02/2023

Game Time: 10:15 pm ET, Saturday, September 2, 2023

Venue:  LaVell Edwards Stadium (LES), Provo, UT

Where to Watch:  Fox Sports 1

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  SHSU +20, BYU -20; Over/Under:  46.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  SHSU +20, BYU -20; Over/Under:  46.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  SHSU +19.5, BYU -19.5; Over/Under:  46.5 points

Sam Houston Bearkats:  0-0 (C-USA)

BYU Cougars:  0-0 (Big 12)

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Sam Houston Bearkats:  N/A

BYU Cougars:  N/A

Sam Houston State finished last season with a 5-4 record overall and they had a 3-2 record in their conference games too. They were 2-3 in their home games, 3-1 in their road games, and they were also 0-0 in their neutral site games last season, but they will be on the road for this season opener. Last season, their offense was averaging 18.3 points scored per game while their defense was allowing an average of 20.7 points per game. Their offense also averaged 330.6 yards per game while their defense was allowing an average of 349 yards per game. Keegan Shoemaker led the team in passing yards with 1122, Zach Hrbacek led the team in rushing yards with 495, and Cody Chrest led the team in receiving yards with 548.

 

 

 

BYU finished last season with an 8-5 record overall and they had a 0-0 record in their conference games too since they were an Independent school. They were 4-2 in their home games, 3-2 in their road games, and they were also 1-1 in their neutral site games last season, but they will be at home for this season opener. Last season, their offense was averaging 31.3 points scored per game while their defense was allowing an average of 29.5 points per game. Their offense also averaged 426.3 yards per game while their defense was allowing an average of 408.1 yards per game. Jaren Hall led the team in passing yards with 3171, Christopher Brooks led the team in rushing yards with 817, and Puka Nacua led the team in receiving yards with 625.

The current betting odds have Sam Houston State listed as a 20 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Sam Houston State is coming up from the FCS for their 1st season in FBS and they are going to have something to prove this year as so many other teams have when coming up from the FCS. They weren't great in the FCS last season but a lot of their starters from the years before were on the team but not playing in starting positions which really held their team back. They will have a much stronger team this season with those players back in starting roles and they will put up a really good fight against their opponent here. BYU was good last season with their 8-5 record but they really took a step back from the year before and now they will have a new starting QB running their offense. They are also in a new conference this season as they have moved to the Big 12 and they will be looking to make a good impression in this 1st game of the season but there are still a lot of new faces on this offense and it will be tough for them to start clicking with their new QB right away in this 1st game. BYU is still the better team and will win this game but Sam Houston State will be playing with something to prove and they are good enough to keep this game close. The best way to place a bet here is on Sam Houston State to cover the spread in this game. 

Sam Houston BYU Prediction:  Our NCAAF Pick for Saturday, September 2, 2023 (10:15 pm ET start time) is BYU 34 SHSU 20.

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Sam Houston Bearkats: 4-2 ATS as an underdog. 4-3 ATS in road games. 2-1 UNDER in games played on a grass field. 1-0 UNDER in road games.

BYU Cougars: 10-16 ATS in all games. 6-12 ATS as a favorite. 20-7 UNDER in a home game where the total is between 45.5 and 49. 31-21 UNDER in the first two weeks of the season.

Sam Houston Bearkats:  None.

BYU Cougars:  None.

"If there's anything that's a hallmark of what I have done in my career, it's I've encircled myself with really talented people. If I do anything really, really well, probably my best quality is I recognize talent." - K.C. Wheeler on why he can lead Sam Houston State to be successful at the FBS level.

“As both a former player and a BYU fan, it is an honor to be the head coach at this great university. I am blessed to lead a football program full of tremendous young men, outstanding coaches and staff and the best fans in the world. We’re all excited about the opportunities ahead as we prepare to enter the Big 12.” - Kalani Sitake on the contract extension he received at the end of the 2021 season. 

WR Humphreys, Qua'Vez 

WR Adeyi, Ife 

WR Smith, Noah 

TE Sherrard, Jax 

QB Shoemaker, Keegan 

RB Hrbacek, Zach 

WR Roberts, Chase 

WR Hill, Keanu 

WR Epps, Kody 

TE Rex, Isaac 

QB Slovis, Kedon 

RB Robbins, Aidan 

Passing: N/A

Rushing: N/A

Receiving: N/A

Touchdowns: N/A

Passing: N/A

Rushing: N/A

Receiving: N/A

Touchdowns: N/A

Coaches:

Sam Houston Bearkats: K.C. Keeler (9th season)

BYU Cougars: Kalani Sitake (8th season)