by Chuck Sommers
Friday, Sep 24, 2021
Game time: 10:15 p.m. ET, September 25, 2021
Venue: LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, UT
Where to watch: ESPN2
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: BYU -23; O/U 51.5; BYU -2200, USF +1100
BetMGM: BYU -23.5; O/U 53.5; BYU -2500, USF +1100
Caesars: BYU -23; O/U 54; BYU -2400, USF +1100
Season record
USF: 1-2
No. 15 BYU: 3-0
Team Del Genio was a PERFECT 4-0 in all-sports on Saturday to further a 9 of 11 (82%) HOT STREAK this week, WINNING their 25* NCAA-F Pac-12 Game of the Month with USC and their 25* NCAA-F Saturday TV Total of the Month with the ASU/BYU under! Catch Del Genio’s and other plays available right now at the Shop Picks page, where you can find all of the Best Bets from our champion sports handicappers.
South Florida - BYU preview and analysis
Recent form
USF: won 38-13 vs. Florida A&M on Sept. 18
BYU: won 27-17 vs. Arizona State on Sept. 18
It might be time to buy high on the No. 15 BYU Cougars, and 4-0 seems to be on the horizon when they host the South Florida Bulls in Provo on Saturday.
The Cougars haven’t had the all-world offense they had last year when Zach Wilson was leading them to a ton of yards and a ton of points, but the BYU defense has been stellar by holding each opponent to less than 20 points thus far.
BYU has proven to be no fluke through three Pac-12 wins, two of them against ranked teams, to now being near the top half of the top-25. The Cougars are coming off a 10-point victory at home against the Arizona State Sun Devils. Despite throwing two interceptions, Jaren Hall through 214 yards and two touchdowns while the BYU defense picked off Jayden Daniels twice in the impressive victory.
It’s the second meeting ever between BYU and South Florida, but this is not the time the Bulls want to face a stingy defense like the Cougars. USF is coming off a 21-point win over the Florida A&M Rattlers but failed to cover as 22.5-point favorites at home.
USF quarterback Timmy McClain has only one touchdown pass against two interceptions, with that one touchdown coming against A&M. He still went 12-of-23 passing, which at least means he’s not too bad against an FCS opponent. While BYU has allowed 252.3 pass YPG, the Bulls have averaged only 172.7 yards through the air. This is not the week to play college football if you’re a USF alum.
Prediction
Look. Don’t be bold. Just take BYU. Take them laying the points. This will be the first dominant win of the year for BYU. Just don’t overthink it. BYU by 30
Betting trends
South Florida is 8-9 against the spread in its last 17 as a road underdog, and 1-16 straight up in that stretch.
BYU is 9-0 in its last nine straight up as a home favorite and 5-4 in that scenario.
Players to watch
USF: The Bulls had 241 yards on the ground against Florida A&M, with Brian Battie ran a team-high 110 yards on 10 carries.
BYU: When Tyler Allgeier struggled against the ASU defense, the Cougars had to go to the air. The top target was Gunner Romney who had six receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown.
Statistical leaders
USF:
Passing: Timmy McClain -- 372 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Brian Battie -- 135 yards
Receiving: Xavier Weaver -- 218 yards, 1 TD
Defense: Andrew Mims -- 23 tackles
BYU:
Passing: Jaren Hall -- 561 yards, 7 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Tyler Allgeier -- 265 yards, 2 TD
Receiving: Neil Pau’u -- 190 yards, 3 TD
Defense: Keenan Pili -- 31 tackles, 1.5 sacks
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
