SMU Mustangs at BYU Cougars Betting Preview
17 December 2022
The New Mexico Bowl will take place on Saturday, December 17, and it will feature a pair of teams that did not live up to preseason expectations. It will be the SMU Mustangs taking on the BYU Cougars in this game, and both teams hope to end their season with an impressive win.
SMU was able to have a strong finish to the season as they went 4-1 over their last five games. The Mustangs looked like a Top 25 team at times this season, but they also had moments where they just couldn’t compete with some other top teams.
BYU got off to a great start to begin the year, but they also had a few weeks where they completely fell apart. The Cougars finished the season with a record of 7-5, and that includes a three-game winning streak.
The BYU Cougars are slim one-point betting favorites over the SMU Mustangs in the New Mexico Bowl on Saturday night.
SMU Looking to Roll on Offense
The SMU Mustangs scored nearly 40 points per game during the regular season, and they will look to win this game on offense. SMU just continues to overwhelm opponents, and they have a passing attack that presents a big challenge for anyone.
Tanner Mordecai threw for 3,300 yards and 31 touchdowns this season to lead the Mustangs. SMU did average over 154 rushing yards per game, but they don’t have just one running back that leads the way.
The SMU defense is catching a big break in the fact that they will be catching a BYU team without their starting quarterback. SMU is giving up close to 35 points per game this season.
Cougars Need to Run
If the BYU Cougars are going to come away with a win in this game, then they are going to have to find a way to run the football. BYU is averaging 173 rushing yards per game, and they have a number of different backs that will get the ball in their hands.
Quarterback Jaren Hall had a monster season for BYU, but it appears that he may miss this game with an injury. BYU put up close to 32 points per game this season, but that offense will be missing a key performer in this one.
The BYU defense is going to be tested in a big way in this game, as they gave up 30 points per game this season. BYU is not going to be able to outscore SMU in the New Mexico Bowl.
Mustangs Complete Slight Upset
Both SMU and Houston are going to be missing some key players in this game, as that is usually the case with early bowl games. This should also be a game that is extremely competitive, as both teams are going to be looking for a big win to end the year.
The offensive firepower for SMU is simply too good to ignore, and they look poised to have a big night of offense in this game. BYU is going to be able to keep up and make this game competitive, but it will ultimately be the SMU Mustangs that come away with a win.
Bet the SMU Mustangs moneyline as they are going to pull off a slight upset and knock off the BYU Cougars in the New Mexico Bowl.
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