For the first time in 27 years, SMU will take on BYU in a college football regular-season game. To underscore just how long it has been, that meeting was an All-WAC contest, a league that no longer exists.
The Mustangs won the first two of their four non-conference games before they get their initial taste of ACC action, though they came in very different ways. BYU is also a perfect 4-0 against SMU all-time. Ahead of the game, we’ve got the latest college football betting odds, DFS picks, and a SMU vs. BYU prediction.
BYU vs. SMU Betting Preview
Looking at these two team’s seasons to date, it’s a very unique taste of ‘what have you done for me lately’ for both.
SMU trailed for much of their opener against Nevada before erasing a double-digit lead in the second half, and they were on cruise control from beginning to end against Houston Baptist in Week 1 thanks to scoring the game’s first 35 points.
As for the Cougars, they enter this contest undefeated as well thanks to a convincing win over Southern Illinois in which they scored 41 points, produced 27 first downs and rolled up 527 total yards.
All BYU vs. SMU odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and correct as of Friday, September 6, 2024.
- Spread
SMU -11.5 - Moneyline
SMU -425, BYU +330 - Over/Under
56 points - Game time
7 p.m. ET - Location
Gerald J. Ford Stadium (TX), Dallas, Texas - Predicted Weather at Kick
96 degrees, 6-9 MPH winds, mostly sunny - How to Watch
ESPN2/ESPN+
SMU opened up as a double-digit home favorite and saw much of the support in terms of early betting action, as 85% of the bets placed before Monday came in on the Mustangs.
They’ve been double-digit favorites in both of its games so far in 2024 (1-1 ATS) and have covered the spread in six of its last seven home games dating back to the start of last season.
MORE: CFN Betting Parlay Calculator
BYU covered the spread as big favorites last week but are back to a familiar underdog role, one they were in for half of their games last season. The Cougars failed to cover in four of their six contests as an underdog in 2023.
The total opened at 54.5 but has already swelled by a point and might continue in that direction, considering the firepower both offenses present. Though it is a small sample size, SMU (6.9) and BYU (6.8) are each pushing toward an average of 7.0 yards per play in the early portion of the season.
Prediction for BYU vs. SMU
After a shaky season opener, SMU appeared to find its footing offensively on Saturday, albeit against much weaker competition. Preston Stone appears to be the QB1 for Rhett Lashlee while Kevin Jennings provides a change-of-pace option at the position that keeps the unit versatile.
Both are talented enough to put a scare into opposing defenses.
BYU will be more of a challenge for the Mustangs, just as Nevada was in Week 0. The Cougars look to have an explosive offense led by Jake Retzlaff, who averaged over 11 yards per dropback against the Salukis.
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Both offenses perform better when they can dictate the pace, which makes a pick on the Over one to keep an eye on.
This can be another breakout game for RJ Maryland, who was held to one catch for 11 yards last week after making a name for himself in Week 0 against Nevada (162 yards on eight catches and a touchdown). He will be the best player on the field for either team and a target Stone should find early and often.
Prediction: SMU 40, BYU 27
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